Vitesse News

6/14/2010 Vitesse Ethernet Switches Deliver Network Timing Solution for Wireless Backhaul and Carrier Access Applications

Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation (Pink Sheets: VTSS.PK), a leading provider of advanced IC solutions for Carrier and Enterprise networks, today announced its Caracal™ family of Ethernet switches (VSC7428, VSC7429) for Carrier Ethernet, mobile backhaul, and Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTx) Passive Optical Networks (PON) applications. Part of Vitesse's scalable family of Carrier Ethernet ICs, Caracal switches feature network timing and performance monitoring capabilities that are essential for migrating mobile backhaul or packet-based 3G and 4G wireless networks.

Previously, wireless networks depended on T1/E1 circuits for providing network connections. With the deployment of advanced 3G and 4G networks that offer more data services, greater bandwidth is driving an industry trend toward packet-based networks. These packet-based networks satisfy the need for greater bandwidth, but must also replace the timing, management and resiliency features of legacy SONET/SDH systems. With Vitesse's Caracal Carrier Ethernet family of switches, packet-based networks for wireless backhaul can now replace aging and inadequate TDM networks.

“Two of the fastest growing segments in carrier networks are mobile/wireless backhaul and Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) access networks. Mobile operators have a capacity crisis on their hands due to mobile broadband data cards and the first generation of smartphones, especially the iPhone®. Mobile backhaul equipment must not only evolve from TDM connections to Ethernet, but also add service aware QoS, packet timing and synchronization functions,” stated Michael Howard, principal analyst at Infonetics Research. “At the same time, they must lower power consumption, while increasing equipment density and bandwidth. Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH)/PON networks face similar constraints. This is where Vitesse’s Caracal family of Carrier Ethernet switches is targeted.”

Unique MEF Services-Oriented Hardware and Software Architecture
As with the Jaguar™ and Lynx™ products introduced earlier this year, Vitesse’s Caracal switches provide a rich set of Carrier Ethernet features. All Vitesse Carrier Ethernet switches boast a unique MEF services-oriented hardware and software architecture that dramatically lowers software development costs and accelerates time-to-market. Precise network timing over packet networks is an essential requirement for the operation of wireless networks while packet networks provide the necessary increase in bandwidth critical to 3G and 4G mobile networks. The Caracal family implements both Synchronous Ethernet and the one step and two step modes of IEEE 1588v2 in hardware for superior timing precision.

Equally important is Caracal’s integrated support for Ethernet Operations, Administration and Maintenance (OAM), including full hardware-based Continuity Check Messages. This support provides protection switching in less than 50 ms – the same rapid-failover rate used in today’s wireline SONET/SDH standards. These features, combined with Vitesse’s comprehensive Carrier Ethernet software solutions, uniquely enable a smooth migration to packet networks from currently deployed SONET/SDH networks.

Offering the highest level of integration in the industry, the Caracal devices are fully featured Carrier Ethernet switches with integrated Cu PHYs and MIPS processor. The integrated dual media PHY enables a simple hardware design with flexible combination of copper and optical ports. The MIPS processor can run customer management and control software while delivering a warm restart capability that allows network providers to reload software and reboot the switch without interrupting customer service.

Unprecedented Low Power, Energy Efficiency
The new devices embed Vitesse’s EcoEthernet™ 2.0 green technology, exceeding the IEEE 802.3az specifications requirements while delivering unprecedented energy efficiency. Power dissipation of 365 mW/port for 1000BASE-T copper and <200 mW/port is achieved when connected to Fast Ethernet devices, making Caracal switches the most fully featured, low-power Carrier Ethernet solution for mobile backhaul and access applications.

The VSC7428 (Caracal-1) provides up to 11 SGMII ports and eight Gigabit Cu PHYs, while the VSC7429 (Caracal-2) provides 26-ports with combinations of 12 copper PHYs, 12 SGMII, and three QSMII ports. Both devices have 10/100/1000 Mbps ports, with two ports supporting 10/100/1000 and 2.5 Gbps. All SGMII ports support 100 BASE-FX and 1000 BASE-X SerDes for direct attach optical connections. Overall, Caracal switches offer rich carrier features including 1588v2 timing and a high level of integration and support for redundant network and ring configurations, making Vitesse’s latest offering uniquely suited for Carrier access applications such as base station interconnect, mobile backhaul and PON MDU.

Samples of the VSC7428 and VSC7429 will be generally available in the third quarter of calendar 2010. More information about the Caracal devices can be found at:
- Caracal-1: www.vitesse.com/products/product.php?number=VSC7428
- Caracal-2: www.vitesse.com/products/product.php?number=VSC7429.

Learn more about Vitesse’s Carrier Ethernet IC solutions at www.vitesse.com/ce and its EcoEthernet 2.0 technology at www.vitesse.com/green.

5/31/2010 Vitesse Expands Ethernet Switch Family for Next-Generation Green Enterprise and SMB/SME Applications

Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation (Pink Sheets: VTSS.PK), a leading provider of advanced IC solutions for Carrier and Enterprise networks, today announced an expansion of its SparX-III™ switch family (VSC7424, VSC7425, VSC7426, VSC7427), the industry’s first Gigabit Ethernet (GE) managed switch devices to integrate up to twelve copper PHYs. The newest members of the SparX-III family enable industry-leading power savings, differentiated service delivery, and network security essential to next-generation Green Enterprise and SMB applications.

The SparX-III managed switches provide a rich set of Ethernet switching features such as Layer 2 forwarding with advanced VLAN and Quality of Service (QoS) processing. With an embedded CPU, the devices deliver up to 25-percent faster network management than competitive solutions targeted at Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) market. When paired with Vitesse’s recently announced SimpliPHY™ 12-port PHYs (VSC8512, VSC8522), the SparX-III devices enable the industry’s first two chip, 26-port managed Layer 2 GE switch solution. Even the smallest member of the new family, VSC7424, is unique in the industry with eight integrated PHYs with two fiber ports, providing a single chip 10-port switch solution, particularly suitable for telecom access applications such as Passive Optical Network (PON).

The SparX-III family includes Vitesse’s EcoEthernet 2.0 technology, delivering unmatched energy efficiency with green features such as IEEE 802.3az idle power savings, ActiPHY™ automatic link power down, and PerfectReach™ intelligent cable algorithm. The devices also offer integrated fan control and intelligent LED control for further power savings. In conjunction with Vitesse’s enhanced process technology, these features enable green switches with optimal power dissipation of 450mW/port in 1000 BASE-T mode and reduce power consumption in SME networks up to 50-percent.

SparX-III switches offer support for Audio-Video Bridging (AVB) standard providing time synchronization for streaming applications, better multicasting capability, and IPv6 MLDv1/2, a packet buffer memory architecture that eliminates latency and a VCAP-II content-aware processor, allowing sophisticated QoS classification at wire speed. This makes the switch family ideal for gaming, IPTV and video transport applications.

The switches offer direct connectivity to SFP modules for both 1G and 100M applications using the SGMII/100FXSerDes ports. The SparX-III family additionally supports emerging QSGMII standards, allowing simpler board designs in which both switch and PHY blocks utilize less traces. These products complete a comprehensive portfolio of SME switching solutions that offer customers a variety of options in feature, bandwidth, and cost, providing higher return on their investments.

“The new SparX switches are flexible enough to use in Internet access devices, and customer-premises equipment on the network edge, in traditional chassis-based switches, or in Multiple Dwelling Unit/Multiple Tenant Unit access applications,” said Martin Olsen, product marketing manager at Vitesse. “Leveraging the energy efficiencies of EcoEthernet 2.0 and high degree of switch integration, our ODM and OEM customers can deliver cost-effective network equipment that meets the latest environmental standards.”

Samples of the VSC7424, VSC7425, VSC7426, and VSC7427 will be generally available in the third calendar quarter of 2010. More information about the SparX-III family can be found at:

Managed:
  - 10-port: www.vitesse.com/products/product.php?number=VSC7424
  - 18-port: www.vitesse.com/products/product.php?number=VSC7425
  - 24-port: www.vitesse.com/products/product.php?number=VSC7426
  - 26-port: www.vitesse.com/products/product.php?number=VSC7427

Unmanaged:
  - 10-port: www.vitesse.com/products/product.php?number=VSC7420
  - 17-port: www.vitesse.com/products/product.php?number=VSC7421
  - 25-port: www.vitesse.com/products/product.php?number=VSC7422.

Additional information about the compatible SimpliPHY family can be found at:
- VSC8512: www.vitesse.com/products/product.php?number=VSC8512
- VSC8522: www.vitesse.com/products/product.php?number=VSC8522.

Learn more about Vitesse’s EcoEthernet technology at www.vitesse.com/green.

5/31/2010 Vitesse Simplifies PCB Design for Green Enterprise Applications

Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation (Pink Sheets: VTSS.PK), a leading provider of advanced IC solutions for Carrier and Enterprise networks, today added to the industry's only 12-port Gigabit Ethernet PHY family with the VSC8522, delivering 50-percent higher density than the leading competitor and energy efficiency features with up to 90-percent power savings when compared to other active 1000BASE-T devices.

Part of Vitesse's widely adopted SimpliPHY™ IC family, the VSC8522 boasts 50-percent higher density than the leading transceiver competitor while also reducing the printed circuit board footprint by as much as 50-percent in a 48-port Gigabit Ethernet (GE) solution. When paired with Vitesse's recently announced SparX-III™ VSC7427 GE switch, the VSC8522 enables the industry's only two-chip, 26-port GE switch solution.

OEMs of Ethernet multi-port systems benefit from the VSC8522's low pin count QSGMII interfaces, facilitating 75-percent more efficient routing between PHY and switch/processor devices compared to SGMII, and more than 95% improvement compared to GMII in high-density Ethernet routers and switches. Additionally, by eliminating media-side resistors, and only requiring two voltage supply levels, the VSC8522 provides OEM designers of Ethernet multi-port systems with extremely low Bill of Materials (BOM) costs and the potential to realize long-term cost savings thanks to reduced packaging sizes.

Leveraging Vitesse's 65-nm technology, the VSC8522 and the compatible SparX-III GE switch include Vitesse's unique green EcoEthernet™ 2.0 features such as IEEE 802.3az idle power savings, ActiPHY™ automatic link-power down, smart fan control to deliver energy savings up to 90-percent compared to 1000BASE-T devices. This latest in green technology delivers unprecedented energy efficiency with power dissipation of 365 mW/port for 1000BASE-T copper and <200 mW/port when connected to Fast Ethernet devices.

“Vitesse's latest 12-port PHY device with EcoEthernet 2.0 technology greatly simplifies printed circuit board complexity and demonstrates our drive to remain at the forefront for bringing green networking technology solutions to market,” said Jason Rock, senior product marketing manager at Vitesse. “Our goal is to provide Enterprise customers with devices like the VSC8522 designed to alleviate cost concerns while delivering breakthrough performance for next-generation 24-, 48-, and even 96-port line cards, resulting in differentiated end products that meet the latest in green networking initiatives such as EnergyStar's upcoming equipment specifications.”

Samples of the VSC8522 will be generally available in the third quarter of calendar 2010. Unit price in quantities of 10,000 is $24.24. More information about the VSC8522 can be found at www.vitesse.com/products/product.php?number=VSC8522.

Additional information about the compatible SparX-III VSC7427 can be found at: www.vitesse.com/products/product.php?number=VSC7427.

Learn more about Vitesse's EcoEthernet technology at www.vitesse.com/green.

5/24/2010 Vitesse Speeds Green Transition for SMB and Enterprise Applications

Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation (Pink Sheets: VTSS.PK), a leading provider of advanced IC solutions for Carrier and Enterprise networks, today introduced its new SparX-III™ family (VSC7420, VSC7421, and VSC7422), the industry’s first Gigabit Ethernet (GE) switches with up to 12 integrated PHYs and EcoEthernet™ 2.0 technology. SparX-III faciliates design of “green-enabled” Ethernet SMB and Enterprise switching equipment with substantially lower power consumption and higher density.

With 50-percent higher integration than the leading GE switch competitor, the VSC7422 delivers the industry’s only two-chip, 25-port GE switch solution when paired with the SimpliPHY™ VSC8512, Vitesse's recently announced 12-port Gigabit Ethernet PHY with dual media copper and fiber support. Both devices include Vitesse's EcoEthernet 2.0 technology to deliver unprecedented energy efficiency with unique green features such as PerfectReach™ intelligent cable length algorithm and ActiPHY™ automatic link-power down, as well as IEEE 802.3az idle power savings. This allows customers to design networking equipment, network printers, or wireless access points to the latest green networking initiatives such as EnergyStar’s future networking equipment certifications.

Leveraging Vitesse's 65-nm technology, the SparX-III family delivers power dissipation of <400mW/port for 1000BASE-T copper and below 50 mW/port for fiber. Boasting the industry's lowest power consumption, these devices eliminate the need for a cooling fan, reducing cost and noise, and increasing system reliability. In addition, customers leverage their hardware and software investment for 16- and 10-port switches using the pin-compatible VSC7421 and VSC7420.

SparX-III also provides an innovative low latency architecture, which improves network performance for time-sensitive applications like IPTV, VoIP, IP conferencing, and gaming. Other new built-in features such as hardware network loop detect and an overheat protection functionality allow ODMs and OEMs to further augment system reliability.

“With the introduction of the SparX-III family, ODM and OEM customers have the power to design the Enterprise, datacenter switches and Carrier Ethernet switch router equipment of tomorrow,” said Martin Olsen, product marketing manager at Vitesse. “We're creating best-in-class Gigabit Ethernet Layer 2 solutions and these devices, combined with the unique energy efficient features of EcoEthernet 2.0, provide the integration, simplified board design, increased system reliability, lower power consumption, and lower bill-of-materials (BOM) cost that have become benefits synonymous with Vitesse's line of GE switches.”

Samples of the VSC7420, VSC7421, and VSC7422 will be generally available in the second quarter of calendar 2010. More information about the SparX-III devices can be found at:

   - 10-port: www.vitesse.com/products/product.php?number=VSC7420
   - 17-port: www.vitesse.com/products/product.php?number=VSC7421
   - 25-port: www.vitesse.com/products/product.php?number=VSC7422.

Additional information about the compatible SimpliPHY VSC8512 can be found at: www.vitesse.com/products/product.php?number=VSC8512.

Learn more about Vitesse’s EcoEthernet technology at www.vitesse.com/green.

4/22/2010 Vitesse Delivers Industry's Highest Density Gigabit Ethernet PHY for Green System Designs

Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation (Pink Sheets: VTSS.PK), a leading provider of advanced IC solutions for Carrier and Enterprise networks, today introduced the industry's first 12-port Gigabit Ethernet PHY device with dual media copper and fiber support, and integrated with Vitesse's new EcoEthernet™ 2.0. EcoEthernet 2.0 delivers unprecedented energy efficiency with unique features such as ActiPHY™ automatic link-power down and PerfectReach™ intelligent cable algorithm, along with IEEE 802.3az idle power savings, temperature monitoring, smart fan control, and adjustable LED brightness. Part of the widely adopted SimpliPHY™ family of Vitesse ICs, the VSC8512 boasts 50 percent higher density than the leading transceiver competitor, and 66 percent greater density than other suppliers.

The VSC8512 achieves its breakthrough power dissipation of 370 mW/port for 1000BASE-T copper and 150 mW for fiber, not only through optimal design techniques in a 65-nm CMOS process, but through support of both low pin count SGMII and QSGMII interfaces. While SGMII is the most popular interface to multiport switch and processor devices, the addition of QSGMII allows easier routing between PHY and switch/processor devices in very high density Ethernet routers and switches. Support of both interfaces means simpler board design, more cost-effective packaging, lower overall power, and better support for legacy devices.

“The unprecedented density of Vitesse's new 12-port VSC8512, combined with its EcoEthernet 2.0 technology simplifies designing next-generation green Enterprise switches and Carrier Ethernet switch and routers with 24-, 48-, and even 96-ports in a single line card,” said Jason Rock, product marketing manager at Vitesse. “While this might have been possible using older quad- or octal-port chips, system design is now greatly simplified with the VSC8512';s level of integration combined with its unique energy-efficiency and thermal management feature set.”

Samples of the VSC8512 will be generally available in the second quarter of calendar 2010. Unit price in quantities of 10,000 is $26.76. More information about the VSC8512 can be found at www.vitesse.com/products/product.php?number=VSC8512.

Learn more about Vitesse’s EcoEthernet IC solutions at www.vitesse.com/green.

4/22/2010 Vitesse Advances Energy Efficiency Solutions for Ethernet Networking

Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation (Pink Sheets: VTSS.PK), a leading provider of advanced IC solutions for Carrier and Enterprise networks, today announced the second generation of its award-winning EcoEthernet™ technology, with power-saving features exceeding the IEEE’s 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet standards. EcoEthernet 2.0 delivers the industry’s richest energy efficient feature set and minimizes power in the network by optimizing performance for all link speeds. For the first time, Vitesse's solution offers industry OEMs unique energy-saving flexibility in temperature monitoring, smart fan control, and adjustable LED brightness. Regardless of the network speed, EcoEthernet 2.0 optimizes performance for the greenest Enterprise LANs, data centers, and Carrier networks possible. Gigabit Ethernet ports dissipate well below 400 mW, while drawing less than 200 mW when operating in Fast Ethernet speeds. Features intended to reduce fan and front-panel display power ensure that switches and Carrier access systems based on EcoEthernet 2.0 will offer the lowest possible energy use for the next generation of green network appliances.

The recent work of the IEEE’s 802.3az EEE Task Force to establish further green opportunities for Ethernet are aligned with coalition efforts such as The Green Grid and GreenTouch™ for making Enterprise, data center, and telecom networks more energy efficient. Vitesse’s EcoEthernet technology allows manufacturers to design products for these emerging standards.

“Until now, most Ethernet IC development has focused solely on the cost and performance gains achieved by using 65-nm technology. However, relying on this process alone is not a comprehensive green strategy,” said Jason Rock, product marketing manager at Vitesse. “Vitesse’s EcoEthernet 2.0 is essential to fully optimize energy-efficiency, by accounting for system factors such as fan power, display power, and other aspects of a networking or IT system that can affect power load. EcoEthernet 2.0 not only gives our customers a differentiator for their products, but helps them maximize resources and gain a competitive edge.”

Vitesse's first generation of EcoEthernet won Frost & Sullivan’s Green Excellence awards in 2008, due to such unique Vitesse features as ActiPHY™ and PerfectReach™. ActiPHY automatically powers down any port not used in an Ethernet network topology, while PerfectReach adjusts optimal power use based on specific cable length. Starting this quarter, Vitesse will introduce new SparX™ Ethernet switch and SimpliPHY™ transceiver products with integrated EcoEthernet 2.0 features. Learn more about Vitesse’s EcoEthernet IC solutions at www.vitesse.com/green.

About Vitesse's Ethernet IC Solutions
SimpliPHY: Boasting energy efficiency features, SimpliPHY devices contain field-proven, fully adaptive equalization and innovative timing recovery algorithms that provide greater noise tolerance performance than the competition. SimpliPHY devices are also based on a patented, fully balanced, voltage-mode line driver technology, allowing the use of lower cost magnetics.

SparX: Based on an innovative architecture and high levels of integration, Vitesse's SparX devices provide the most advanced Layer 2 Gigabit Ethernet switch solution with advanced quality of service (QoS). Vitesse has eliminated the need for external processing and memory resources, allowing developers to deliver a smart switch with advanced Layer 2 capabilities at a fraction of the cost for a fully managed switch.

4/12/2010 Vitesse Enables High Density, Low Power Broadcast Video System Designs

Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation (Pink Sheets: VTSS.PK) today announced an expansion of its broadcast video IC portfolio with the industry's highest performance, lowest power, smallest footprint crosspoint switch. The VSC3340, an asynchronous 40x40-port device, is the first crosspoint switch to deliver power scaling Green Modes that reduce power dissipation by as much as 54 percent over existing solutions. With its 260 Gbps capacity, the device is essential for broadcast video equipment requiring higher density, lower power system designs. The VSC3340 exceeds video requirements for professional broadcast routers/switchers and HDMI switching through its full support of HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort and SMPTE protocols. Additionally, the device expands Vitesse's comprehensive lineup of crosspoint sizes and speeds.

As the broadcast video industry migrates to higher bandwidth protocols and 3 Gbps high definition (3G-SDI) feeds, networks and studio equipment must manage up to thousands of live links while maintaining signal integrity and system performance. Energy consumption is also paramount as channel counts and densities increase in limited areas such as HD production studios and datacenters housing this equipment. Power dissipation thus becomes a critical factor which, if left unaddressed, results in unacceptable thermal profiles and network reliability.

The device's breakthrough energy savings are as low as 95 mW per channel in 3.2 Gbit mode. In this design, only those channels with active signals dissipate power. Integrated with Vitesse's FlexEQ™ adaptive equalization technology, the VSC3340 is ideal for countering signal degradation over various transmission media types and lengths. With its programmable input signal equalization and output pre-emphasis, the device can be optimized for a variety of cable, printed circuit board, or backplane lengths and signal conditions. The switch is programmable with a standard two-wire or four-wire interface. System designers can now use the VSC3340 to reduce overall power dissipation while improving signal integrity and gaining more performance margin. Setting a new level of signal integrity performance at low power, the VSC3340 demonstrates Vitesse's established commitment to green operation, through multiple low-power modes and per-lane power-down to further reduce power consumption.

“Before the VSC3340, broadcast system designers were forced to make tradeoffs between high performance and low power. Our new device brings together these two previously incompatible worlds. As pioneers in high performance signal integrity solutions, Vitesse is now taking the next logical step in scaling power requirements as needed by the various applications,” said Juan Garza, product marketing manager at Vitesse. “With the VSC3340, Vitesse combines its signal integrity expertise with a new level of power and bandwidth sensitivity to deliver high performance enterprise, carrier and broadcast video interconnects.”

The VSC3340 is available immediately, with volume pricing available upon request.

Demonstrating Broadcast Video Solutions at NAB 2010
Vitesse will showcase in Booth #N5921, North Hall, a live demonstration of an HDMI crosspoint switching application applicable to a range of Vitesse's crosspoint products. There will also be a live demo of its industry-leading VScope™ embedded waveform viewing technology at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Expo, April 12-15 in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

3/22/2010 FiberHome, BroadLight, and Oplink Join Vitesse FTTx Ecosystem

Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation (Pink Sheets: VTSS.PK), a leading provider of advanced IC solutions for Carrier and Enterprise networks, today announced the continued expansion of its FTTx (Fiber-to-the-Home, Building or Premise) Technology Ecosystem. The newest members include FiberHome, Oplink and BroadLight. This Ecosystem is an industry forum for companies across the entire Passive Optical Network (PON) hardware spectrum to accelerate deployment of next-generation 10G-PON FTTx platforms. The new members join an impressive list of participating companies and PON technology innovators including Anritsu, CyOptics, Emcore, ETRI, Hisense Broadband Multimedia Technologies, Huawei, NEC Electronics, NeoPhotonics, Opulan, Source Photonics, ZTE, and Vitesse.

Over the past year, Vitesse, along with its many FTTx Ecosystem members, substantially advanced 10G-EPON deployments, as evidenced by 10G-EPON field and lab trials around the globe. These trials include China Telecom and China Mobile, NTT in Japan, KT in Korea, France Telecom in Europe, as well as Verizon and Time Warner in North America, among others. In the specific case of China Mobile, Vitesse and ZTE published a technical case study describing the challenges and solutions necessary for successful 10G-EPON deployments.

“Because of the fast growing GPON and EPON segments, the PON market grew rapidly during 2009, with port shipments up roughly 30% to 50% year-over-year. The overall PON market is forecast to continue to grow rapidly for the next several years, as the shift from copper- to fiber-based broadband access drives growth in this market,” according to Jeff Heynen, directing analyst, broadband and video, Infonetics Research. “As for next-generation PON technologies, there are already many 10G-EPON field trials underway, and we expect 10G-GPON (XG-PON) trials will heat up later this year. Vitesse is one of the leading IC vendors in this space, and its FTTx Technology Ecosystem effort will help drive activities in this space moving forward.”

New FTTX Technology Ecosystem Members
FiberHome is a pioneer in the development and deployment of EPON networks for worldwide carriers with solid technological strength and brand superiority in the FTTH market. “We have worked closely with Vitesse for Carrier Ethernet chipsets on many our platforms over the years. With our superior technology and excellent support, FiberHome is providing ‘win-win' solutions on the next-generation FTTx to the market,” said Zhuang Yang, vice president, FiberHome Technologies.

Oplink is a leading provider of comprehensive optical components, transceiver modules, and subsystems for optical networking applications. “We are pleased to participate in the FTTx Technology Ecosystem to promote next-generation end-to-end PON solutions. Oplink, through the acquisition of OCP, is a leading supplier for wide scale EPON deployment. Now we are working closely with companies such as Vitesse, and customers on development of next-generation PON module solutions to serve this rapidly growing market,” said Dr. Rang-Chen (Ryan) Yu, vice president of business development, Oplink Communications.

BroadLight is a pioneer and the leader in GPON System on Chips (SoC). BroadLight's devices and software deliver the majority of today's BPON and GPON chipset solutions worldwide. “As the first company to successfully sample a GPON SoC, BroadLight is taking the lead in a rapidly growing market that is predicted to be the largest PON growth segment in the next few years,” stated Didi Ivancovsky, founder and vice president, marketing at BroadLight. “Our relationship with Vitesse is significant because our flagship GPON and XGPON System on Chips combining with Vitesse market leading fiber and copper based Physical-layer devices will enable ITU-T PON equipment vendors across the globe to rapidly deliver GPON and XGPON solution and services at affordable prices.”

“We are pleased to announce another round of the FTTx Technology Ecosystem expansion with three important market leaders, FiberHome, Oplink, and BroadLight joining the roster,” said Gary Paules, product marketing manager at Vitesse. “Vitesse is committed to driving the deployment of next-generation PON deployments worldwide by coordinating close working relationships among our stellar group of Ecosystem members.”

To read the Vitesse-ZTE case study and learn more about the FTTx Technology Ecosystem visit: www.vitesse.com/fttx.

Demonstrating XG-PON Solutions at OFC/NFOEC 2010
Vitesse will showcase in Corporate Village room #2945, Hall D, an XG-PON1 link (10G downstream, 2.5G upstream) at OFC/NFOEC 2010 Expo, March 23-25, 2010 in San Diego, Calif., at the San Diego Convention Center. The demonstration will feature Vitesse…amp;trade;s expanded PON portfolio including Vitesse laser drivers, transimpedance amplifiers, limiting amplifiers and SerDes products in continuous and burst mode configurations for use in optical line terminal (OLT) and optical network unit (ONU) applications.

3/22/2010 Vitesse Chipset Enhances High-Density 40G/100G Optical Systems

Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation (Pink Sheets: VTSS.PK), a leading provider of advanced IC solutions for Carrier and Enterprise networks, announced the industry’s first complete chipset solution for line cards, CXP, and CFP optical transceivers used in next-generation servers, routers, and OTN transport equipment. In the ultra-broadband era it is estimated that internet traffic doubles every two years. Network equipment manufacturers meet this increased bandwidth demand by deploying high density 40 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) and 100 GbE solutions based on 4x10G and 10x10G optical wavelengths. By offering a reference design with its 40G/100G chipset, Vitesse provides module and system OEMs an accelerated, cost-effective development path for building scalable, compact, high-performance optical systems and delivers on the highly anticipated benefits of integrated electronics with optics called Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs).

Vitesse’s chipset (VSC8248, VSC7978, VSC7986, and VSC7987) supports packing Nx10G un-cooled DMLs of different wavelengths into a very compact area, critical for 40GBase-LR4, or ER4 or 10x10G PIC applications for 10km and 40km. It also extends optical links up to 120km without costly optical dispersion compensation, improving link margin in excess of 3dB. Additionally, the chipset meets and exceeds the 40 GbE and 100 GbE IEEE P802.3ba/D3.0 draft standard in areas such as optical stressed receiver sensitivity test and transmit jitter specifications.

The reference design consists of a transmit optical sub-assembly (TOSA) tightly integrated with Vitesse’s low power VSC7986 Directly-Modulated-Laser (DML) drivers, CyOptics lasers, and a Color-Chip System-on-GlassTM (SOG) optical Multiplexer (Mux). The TOSA eliminates the need for costly bias-T networks and can save as much as 70% on laser driver power when compared to alternative implementations. In the receive direction, the reference design comprises a receive optical sub-assembly (ROSA), including a Color-Chip SOGTM optical Demultiplexer (Demux), integrated with Vitesse’s VSC7987 limiting and VSC7978 transimpedance amplifiers. The limiting approach works well in single mode and multimode fiber for short reach applications, as well as for the datacenter market targeting parallel interconnections such as 12x QDR InfiniBand at 120 Gbps and for 100 GbE.

For single mode and multimode fiber supporting various data rates, protocols, longer link distances, and more challenging applications with difficult optical impairments, the reference design utilizes Vitesse’s VSC7878 linear transimpedance amplifier in the ROSA and its VSC8248 with advanced FlexEQ™ electronic dispersion compensation (EDC) technology on the line card or in the CFP module.

The VSC8248 is the industry's first truly integrated quad full-duplex device with EDC functions on all channels. The highly flexible transmit-path with three-tap output driver supports the optimization of output signal transmission across printed circuit board material and connectors while meeting stringent SONET/SDH jitter generation requirements. In addition to the high-performance EDC receivers and flexible transmit output drivers, the chip has a complete set of build-in-self-test (BIST) functions including pattern generator, checker, and loopback capability at both line and client sides. The VSC8248 also integrates Vitesse’s VScope™ embedded waveform viewing technology which enables production testing along with remote diagnostics after system deployment.

“We are pleased to work with leading optical module and component vendors such as ColorChip and CyOptics in the development of next-generation high density and high- performance 40G and 100G solutions,” said Raymond Fontayne, senior product marketing manager for Vitesse. “The fully functional reference design proves the interoperability with market leading sub-systems and components, and shortens time-to-market for our OEM customers.”

ColorChip’s transmit and receive PICs include efficient coupling of CWDM DFB lasers into one single mode fiber and provide high-performance channel demultiplexing with very low pass-band loss and high out-of-band rejection. Meeting the most stringent international standards, the PICs are Telcordia qualified and compliance-tested.

“With continued innovation and close collaboration with Vitesse, we continue to enhance the performance of our PIC offerings,” said Eli Arad, vice president of research and development for ColorChip.

“We have worked closely with Vitesse on multiple optical front end designs over the years,” said Kou-Wei Wang, vice president and general manager of the InP OEM Business at CyOptics. “Their PMD and EDC-capable products provide excellent performance with lower power and small size enabling the integration necessary for high density 40G/100G systems.”

Demonstrating 40G/100G Solutions at OFC/NFOEC 2010
Vitesse will showcase in Corporate Village room #2945, Hall D, a live demonstration of its CI-BCH eFEC solutions together with market leading module vendors, as well as its 40G/100G PHY chipsets at OFC/NFOEC 2010 Expo, March 23-25, 2010 in San Diego, Calif., at the San Diego Convention Center. Also during the conference, Vitesse will participate in the following panels and presentations:

   • Sunday, March 21 at 4:30 pm: “Beyond 10 Gb/s Passive Optical Networks…What's Next?”
   • Monday, March 22, 8:00 am: Network Technologies for Large Data Centers
   • Tuesday, March 23, 3:00 pm: “Continuously-Interleaved BCH (CI-BCH) FEC Delivers Best-in-Class NECG for 40G and 100G Metro Applications”
   • Thursday, March 25, 10:00 am: “RSOA-based 10.3 Gbit/s WDM-PON with Pre-Amplification and Electronic Equalization."

In addition, Vitesse will showcase its 100G eFEC solution in the OIF Components Showcase at OIF booth #3041 along with eight other component and module companies. The OIF Components Showcase will display components, modules, FECs, and/or other hardware supporting the OIF Physical and Link Layer 100G projects focused on Integrated Photonics Transmitters and Receivers, Forward Error Correction, and Transponders.

3/22/2010 Vitesse's New Forward Error Correction Technology Accelerates Migration to 100G

Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation (Pink Sheets: VTSS.PK), a leading provider of advanced IC solutions for Carrier and Enterprise networks, today announced immediate availability of its enhanced forward error correction (eFEC) technology for implementation in ASICs or FPGAs. Vitesse's new, patented Continuously Interleaved BCH (CI-BCH™) eFEC code offers the highest performing hard decision eFEC available today and is the industry’s only eFEC implementable in single FPGA form at 100G. Compared to today's FEC solutions, applying Vitesse's CI-BCH eFEC enables both 40G and 100G backbones to operate over 25-50% longer spans, respectively, with lower power, lower cost, and lower latency.

As service providers upgrade 10G metro and long-haul networks to 100G speed, optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) rapidly degrades due to amplified spontaneous emission noise. Left uncompensated, this OSNR degradation results in unacceptable transmission error rates. Additionally, the complexity of implementation increases exponentially as data rates increase. Enhanced FEC is better able to correct the increased error rates and support error free delivery over longer distances.

“Carriers are deploying 40G and 100G because the economics make sense; these are no longer science projects. The 40G optical market grew rapidly during 2009, with port shipment roughly doubling every year when compared to the previous years,” according to Andrew Schmitt, directing analyst, optical, Infonetics Research. “Based on their strong technology and market position, vendors such as Vitesse should benefit from both 40G and 100G as each market evolves.”

Available for both FPGAs and ASICs, Vitesse's CI-BCH code is offered at 7% and 20% FEC overhead for 40G and 100G implementations, respectively. The 7% overhead version offers 9.35 dB net electrical coding gain (NECG). The 20% version provides up to 10.5 dB NECG. The CI version of a class of base codes called BCH represents a unique advance in FEC codes, with superior performance to any block codes offered to date. Vitesse’s CI-BCH is the industry’s first eFEC to solve the implementation complexity issues associated with higher data rates. Both versions of Vitesse's code deliver superior performance at the lowest latency and power dissipation, as well as the smallest gate count, compared to current FEC alternatives.

High-gain error correcting codes developed over the last two decades share the attribute that solving one base code word helps improve the ability to solve other base code words at intersecting bit locations. Prior to Vitesse's work, high-gain, block-style codes developed for FEC have not been able to fully utilize this “codeword helping codeword” phenomena. Vitesse's CI-BCH takes advantage of “codeword helping codeword” to improve coding gain while reducing the cost of hardware implementation significantly.

For latency sensitive applications, the design offers a variable latency decoder using a common encoder, allowing lower latency to be achieved at the expense of coding gain. The decoder additionally collects FEC-corrected error statistics.

Learn more about Vitesse's Optical Transport Solutions at www.vitesse.com/optical-transport.

3/22/2010 Vitesse Enables 10G Metro and Long-Haul Network Transition to 40G/100G

Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation (Pink Sheets: VTSS.PK), a leading provider of advanced IC solutions for Carrier and Enterprise networks, today announced the immediate availability of the VSC8247, a single-chip device with four simplex channels of Electronic Dispersion Compensation (EDC) and integrated Clock and Data Recovery (CDR) functions. Supporting speeds of 8.5 to 11.3 Gbps, the VSC8247 makes possible low-cost, multi-lane implementations of metro and long-haul 40G links while supporting optional feedback from a forward error correction (FEC) device.

Targeted at high-density optical modules and line cards, service providers use this high-performance, low-power device to transition current 10G long-haul networks to 40G and 100G. According to reports from Infonetics and LightCounting, Inc., 40G and 100G port deployments will grow annually in excess of 50% and 100% respectively over the next few years.

Compatible with networks based on Ethernet, SONET/SDH, and Fibre Channel, the VSC8247 is ideal for high-density single-mode fiber photonic integrated circuit (PIC) applications. Supported by Vitesse's FlexEQ™ EDC and adaptive equalization technology, the performance advantages of the VSC8247 can extend optical links up to 120km without dispersion compensation or increase link margin in excess of 3dB, while allowing the use of lower cost optics. In addition, the VSC8247 meets and exceeds the 40 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) and 100 GbE IEEE P802.3ba/D3.0 draft standard in areas such as optical stressed receiver sensitivity test.

“The VSC8247 quad EDC/CDR device from Vitesse is a timely solution for high-density transport applications,” said Tongqing Wang, director of Huawei America Research Center. “The embedded EDC capability provides the necessary link extension feature we are looking for.”

The VSC8247 offers unique features, such as Vitesse's VScope™ embedded waveform viewing technology allowing remote diagnostics to observe and test 10G/40G/100G links while running traffic. The RX path output driver, with up to 10dB of pre-emphasis, is capable of overcoming any signal integrity degradation resulting from the CFP connector and up to 10 inches of host FR4 trace compliant to standards including 100GBASE-CR12, 100GBASE-SR12, 40GBASE-CR4, 40GBASE-SR4, and 40GBASE-LR4. Additionally, the device includes integrated error checkers on each of the independent four channels.

For rapidly changing optically-impaired transmission environments, the VSC8247 adaptively optimizes its performance. In non-dynamic environments the VSC8247 also supports static EDC operation. In addition to its self-adaptation mode, the VSC8247 accepts feedback from a FEC circuit for optimum performance. In concert with FEC, error free links can be easily achieved for OSNR below 11dB with negligible back-to-back penalty.

“In times of constrained capital expenditure budgets and design resources, it is critical to support systems that ease the carrier's transition to 40G and 100G, and allow significant testing of a network while it is being deployed,” said Gary Paules, product marketing manager at Vitesse. “The VSC8247 offers superb performance in metro and long-haul applications, as evidenced by its growing use in multiple high density 40G/100G platforms.”

Learn more about Vitesse's FlexEQ technology at www.vitesse.com/flexeq.

Demonstrating 40G/100G Solutions at OFC/NFOEC 2010
Vitesse will showcase in Corporate Village room #2945, Hall D, a live demonstration of its 40G/100G chipsets, as well as eFEC CI-BCH™ solutions at OFC/NFOEC 2010 Expo, March 23-25, 2010 in San Diego, Calif., at the San Diego Convention Center. Also during the conference, Vitesse will participate in the following panels and presentations:

In addition, Vitesse will showcase its 100G eFEC solution in the OIF Components Showcase at OIF booth #3041 along with other eight component and module companies. The OIF Components Showcase will display components, modules, FECs, and/or other hardware supporting the OIF Physical and Link Layer 100G projects focused on Integrated Photonics Transmitters and Receivers, Forward Error Correction, and Transponders.

2/9/2010 Vitesse Jaguar Family of Switches and MACs Revolutionizes Carrier Ethernet Networks

Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation (Pink Sheets: VTSS.PK) today introduced the Jaguar family of Ethernet devices designed specifically for service provider Carrier Ethernet applications. Utilizing a new architecture from Vitesse, this family offers an optimized feature set that is critical for transitioning today’s TDM circuit-switched networks to modern, packet-based Ethernet networks. This transition enables carriers worldwide to provide expanded services to users of wired and wireless networks. With the Jaguar™ family of devices, Ethernet services are delivered faster with greater flexibility at a lower cost.

Vitesse’s years of experience in Ethernet architectures position the Company to enable the migration from SONET/SDH to packet-based networks.The Jaguar family implements the industry’s only architecture incorporating advanced service features such as full IEEE-1588 functionality and OAM (Operations, Administration, and Maintenance).Delivering advanced Ethernet timing support compatible with Synchronous Ethernet and IEEE-1588v2, the architecture achieves accurate network timing references over packet networks, which is particularly important in mobile backhaul applications. Additionally, the architecture is the first to provide OEMs and service providers with five-9’s of reliability over packet-based networks – including delivery of real-time multimedia services.

This service-aware architecture is designed to map client traffic to any of the thousands of services, with each individual service offering Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF)-compliant policing, scheduling, and traffic shaping. A single chip provides thousands of policers and as many as 50,000 statistics to ensure and monitor Service Level Agreements. This results in unprecedented flexible service differentiation and support, allowing providers to easily deploy services such as E-Line, E-Tree, and E-LAN.

The Jaguar family launches with four devices – two Carrier Ethernet switches: Jaguar (VSC7460) and LynX™ (VSC7462) and two Media Access Controllers (MACs): CE-MaX-24 (VSC7364) and CE-MaX-12 (VSC7366). To deliver carrier-grade reliability, these devices afford hardware-generated continuity checking for Port, Link, Tunnel, and Service protection. The fast link failure detection and exclusive path protection mechanism provide reliable 50mS protection switching performance critical to carrier networks.

The Jaguar switches integrate multiple ports of Gigabit Ethernet with advanced traffic-shaping features for service-aware networks. Providing more on-chip resources for policing and statistics than any other products in their class, Vitesse’s Jaguar and LynX switches support all popular connection-oriented and connectionless network protocols, including Provider Bridging, Provider Backbone Bridging (PBB), Provider Backbone Bridging with Traffic Engineering (PBB-TE), and Multi-Protocol Label Switching – Transport Profile (MPLS-TP).Offering a dense alternative for constrained rack space, the Jaguar has 24 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports and four 10 Gigabit Ethernet XAUI ports. The LynX is a 12-port version with dual 10 Gigabit ports and the XAUI ports can be configured as four 2.5 Gbps interfaces.

The Vitesse Carrier Ethernet MACs are pin compatible with its switch devices. The MACs are available with two port counts: 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports with four 10 Gigabit ports or 12 Gigabit Ethernet ports with two 10 Gigabit ports. These MACs boast all the service-aware and traffic engineering features of Jaguar and LynX, yet are intended for delivering Ethernet services over SONET and packet optical networks.

These new Jaguar devices make Vitesse the only company capable of delivering the breadth and depth of Carrier Ethernet solutions for tomorrow’s telecom arena, including physical layer devices, signal integrity solutions, Ethernet-over-SONET (EoS) mappers, OTN framers, carrier-grade MACs and Carrier Ethernet switches,” said Uday Mudoi, director of product marketing for Vitesse. “By integrating specific carrier grade features into Vitesse’s highly successful line of Ethernet switches and carrier grade MACs, Vitesse is bringing the most feature rich and integrated Carrier Ethernet switch and MAC combination to market.”

Vitesse will soon announce another family of Ethernet switch products specifically designed for carrier access applications such as mobile backhaul. These carrier access switches share the same software API as the Jaguar family.

For more information visit Vitesse’s Carrier Ethernet website: www.vitesse.com/ce

Availability and Pricing
Vitesse will begin sampling these devices to lead customers in Q2 2010. Production pricing will range from $150 to $60 based on device selection.

Participation at MPLS & Ethernet World Congress 2010 and CE Video Series

Vitesse will showcase Carrier Ethernet demonstrations featuring IEEE 1588v2 timing, ring protection, PB/PBB/PBB-TE, and OAM at its booth (#109) during MPLS & Ethernet World Congress 2010. Morteza Ghodrat, director of Carrier Ethernet for Vitesse, will present a technical paper titled “Carrier Ethernet Transport: The Roles for PBB and MPLS” on February 9, 2010 at 15:00.

Mr. Ghodrat is also featured in a video series on Carrier Ethernet which can be viewed at http://www.vitesse.com/ce/ce_videos.php. The series launches with three videos: The Carriers’ Challenge; Managing Bandwidth; and The Best Approach with Carrier Ethernet.

2/8/2010 Vitesse Drives Innovation for Evolving Service Provider and Enterprise Environments

Driven by explosive changes in consumer lifestyles, access to real-time entertainment and technology advances, communication service providers and Enterprises are entering the second decade of the 21st century with a radically different network converging on Internet Protocol (IP) and Ethernet. Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation (Pink Sheets: VTSS.PK) is responding to these shifts with a portfolio of products uniquely designed to ease the transition to Carrier Ethernet in core, metropolitan, access and edge networks, and to drive energy savings and capacity enhancements in Enterprise and data center networks.

Vitesse expanded its research and development staff by 15 percent in the past year, even in the midst of a global downturn, to prepare a suite of more than 30 products bringing higher performance to the Enterprise and new carrier features to the public network. Boasting a 25-year history of providing industry-leading Carrier and Enterprise networking IC solutions, Vitesse's new products address such needs as the transition of current circuit-switched traffic to Ethernet packet switching, the need for accurate timing for packet networks, and the need to reduce energy consumption and shift to 40G and 100G networks.

After 18 months of restrained capital expenditure, carrier and data center markets alike are poised for significant growth in 2010 and beyond. Enterprise and data center expansion is driven by the unprecedented demands from specialized aggregators such as Google, Microsoft, and Facebook, and emerging cloud computing applications. For wireline and wireless service providers, growth is driven by capacity and price pressures caused by new broadband client devices and smart phones with rich data and video capabilities, accelerating the transition from TDM circuit networks of the past to a cost-effective, yet carrier-grade, unified IP/Ethernet environment. Meeting New Carrier Ethernet Demands

Vitesse's years of experience in providing ICs for the carrier market and participation in standards bodies such as Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) uniquely enables the Company to address these needs. For example, Vitesse is implementing stringent network timing features based on Synchronous Ethernet and the IEEE-1588 Precision Timing Protocol in its Media Access Controllers (MACs), switches, and physical layer (PHY) products. Vitesse provides carriers the flexibility of unifying Ethernet transport using the bridging methods defined in Provider Backbone Bridging (PBB) or the Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS, MPLS-TP) standards. Vitesse also gives carriers the choice of either working with Ethernet-over-SONET/SDH architectures as a transition, or moving directly to Carrier Ethernet. Enterprise and Data Center Ethernet Innovations

For Enterprise networks used in server and storage clusters as well as in more traditional Ethernet switch topologies, Vitesse's new portfolio of PHY and switch products covers both unmanaged and managed applications delivering higher integration and a rich feature set. The new features include support for Energy Efficient Ethernet, audio video bridging, and enhanced security. Vitesse is deploying the second generation of its popular EcoEthernet™ technology for energy savings in switches and PHYs, along with a new class of low-power signal integrity and physical layer devices to enable upgrades to backplane speeds and card densities for data center and blade server applications.

Product families to be introduced in 2010 mix integration levels and feature sets to address various price points and equipment sizes for both Carrier and Enterprise networks. Different devices will combine physical-layer circuits, MACs, switches, and optical transport network (OTN) mappers including advanced forward error correction (FEC) algorithms. Physical interfaces will support both optical and copper media, addressing the different needs of specific sectors within both public and private networks. As a result, Vitesse customers can reuse software across multiple Carrier and Enterprise product lines accelerating time-to-market and saving costs. Product introductions planned in 2010 include:

   - High-density PHYs for 10G/40G/100G optical and backplane applications;
   - High-density 10G OTN Mappers/PHYs for the Carrier wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) Metro and Core;
   - 40G/100G FEC devices for the Carrier Core;
   - 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) Carrier Ethernet switches and MACs for carrier and metro aggregation including wireless backhaul;
   - GbE Carrier Ethernet access switches for wireless/microwave backhaul edge applications and base stations;
   - 12/24-port GbE Enterprise Layer 2 switches for small-medium enterprise (SME)/small-medium business (SMB);
   - Energy-Efficient Ethernet physical-layer PHYs for copper and fiber;

“The broad portfolio of products planned for introduction in 2010 indicate Vitesse's commitment to both the emerging Carrier Ethernet market for service-provider equipment and particularly to the wireless access market, and the expanding enterprise market for high-speed data center backbones and cloud computing,” said Martin Nuss, chief technical officer for Vitesse. “Vitesse can meet the backbone needs of next-generation Enterprise and data center equipment, while offering devices for service provider equipment that solve the access challenges of an increasingly wireless world with unique Carrier Ethernet features not found elsewhere.”

Vitesse will introduce the first of its new Ethernet products, the Jaguar™ family of Carrier Ethernet MACs and switches, at MPLS & Ethernet World Congress 2010.

2/2/2010 Vitesse Adds to Industry's Highest Performance Crosspoint Switch Family

Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation (Pink Sheets: VTSS.PK) today added another innovation to its industry-leading signal integrity portfolio with the availability of the VSC3308, a new 8-port asynchronous crosspoint switch with enhanced FlexEQ™ signal equalization capabilities. Boasting the highest capacity in the industry's smallest footprint currently available, the VSC3308 is housed in a compact 10mm x 10mm footprint while enabling bandwidth upgrade by 75-percent over existing solutions. Whether building storage, server, router, or optical transport equipment, the device is ideal for converged platforms requiring next-generation data rates and protocols such as PCIe generation 3, 8G Fibre Channel, OTN, or 10, 40 and 100 Gigabit Ethernet.

“Blade servers, storage equipment and Carrier Ethernet applications are all converging at the 10 Gbps node, requiring high-performance signal integrity products to route, switch and clean up these signals at rates up to 11.3 Gbps,” said Juan Garza, product marketing manager for Vitesse. “The VSC3308 builds on Vitesse's proven success in solving high-speed, signal integrity issues and enables customers to future-proof their systems for newer protocols rapidly moving towards production release.”

Unique Feature Set
The combined functions of crosspoint switching and Vitesse's leading FlexEQ™ equalization technology make the VSC3308 a compact, highly cost-effective, low-power signal integrity tool useful wherever there are high-speed signals. Showcasing the range and depth of Vitesse's signal integrity portfolio, the VSC3308 incorporates a broadband, fully non-blocking and multicasting switch core with flexible fourth-generation equalization and pre-emphasis I/O capability. Offering maximum architectural flexibility in switching and routing connections, the device can perform compelling signal fan-out, loop-back and protection switching while also regenerating signals otherwise compromised by losses in the transmission medium. Vitesse's FlexEQ equalization capability works independently of the data rate, providing highly effective compensation for deterministic jitter across a wide range of operating conditions.

Capable of 11.3 Gbps per lane bandwidth, the VSC3308 includes detection/transmission of signal (LOS) providing native Out-of-Band (OOB) support of SAS/SATA storage protocols. This architecture also provides protocol transparent operation, thereby allowing each channel to run independently. Vitesse's VSC3308 supports a wide frequency range encompassing virtually all data protocols including Gigabit Ethernet, XAUI, Reduced XAUI (RXAUI), 10GBASE-KR, 1.5G/3G/6G SAS/SATA, 1G/2G/4G/8G/10G Fibre Channel, PCIe Gen 1/2/3 and InfiniBand™.

VSC3308 PCIe Reference Design
In addition to sample and evaluation board availability, Vitesse is introducing a complete PCIe reference design that can be implemented with the VSC3308 or previously announced VSC3316. The reference design provides a detailed implementation of the VSC3308 and VSC3316 in PCIe applications including Gen 1, 2 and 3 protocol accommodations. Vitesse will be demonstrating this reference design at DesignCon 2010. More information about this reference design is available on the VSC3308 product page found at http://www.vitesse.com/products/product.php?number=VSC3308.

Vitesse at DesignCon 2010
Vitesse will be demonstrating in booth #709 VSC3308 technology in PCIe applications at DesignCon 2010 the week of February 2-3, 2010, at the Santa Clara Convention Center. Also during the conference, Vitesse will present three technical papers: “Measurement Resolution and Accuracy for VScope™ Embedded Waveform Viewing Technology;” “Cu Cable Study at 10 GbE Data Rate Utilizing the Latest Technologies for Advanced Equalizers and Passive Cu Cable Assemblies to close on a 20m Link;” and “Technical Considerations in System Integration of EDC IC's in 8G Fibre Channel Applications.” For session times and locations, please reference the DesignCon 2010 conference agenda available at http://www.designcon.com/2010.

World-Class Signal Integrity
Vitesse was first to introduce integrated signal equalization in crosspoints switches and now has nearly a decade of successful product developments and dozens of products in production. With the introduction of dual-time constant equalization, Vitesse's latest-generation FlexEQ technology enables a superior level of signal integrity engineering. FlexEQ equalization technology allows the system designer to compensate for multiple impairments in the signal path, such as connectors and cabling or skin effect and dielectric losses in PCB traces. FlexEQ also provides a significantly wider compensation range so a single device can be used in multiple applications, from PCB traces to backplanes to copper cabling. Learn more about FlexEQ at www.vitesse.com/flexeq.

Pricing and Availability
The VSC3308 operates on a single 2.5V supply with a typical per-channel power dissipation of 200mW and is available in a compact 10mm x 10mm, 69-pin PBGA package. The device is available for general sampling in March 2010 with volume pricing available upon request. More information on the VSC3308 can be found at http://www.vitesse.com/products/product.php?number=VSC3308.

2/2/2010 Vitesse Enables Scalable, High-Density 10G/40G/100G Communication Systems

Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation (Pink Sheets: VTSS.PK), a leading provider of advanced IC solutions for Carrier and Enterprise networks, today announced the immediate availability of the VSC8248 Quad Interconnect Integrated Circuit (IC). The device has four Clock and Data Recovery (CDR) channels with integrated Electronic Dispersion Compensation (EDC), four integrated transmit channels, and control circuitry for managing downstream modules. This IC provides high-performance, high-density signal connectivity that enables customers to increase capacity for Storage, Server, Router, or Optical Transport Equipment. Whether transporting traffic across a backplane, a line card, an optical fiber, or a copper cable, the VSC8248 provides superior signal integrity, speed flexibility ranging from 1 Gbps to 11.3 Gbps, integrated diagnostics for remote monitoring, fault isolation, and scalability to over 100,000 ports. Increased bandwidth requirements are driving transitions to higher speeds and greater port densities supporting new standards including 10, 40, and 100 Gigabit Ethernet as well as 8 and 16 Gigabit Fibre Channel. To meet these demanding requirements, new communication systems and modules are implemented in highly parallel 4x10G, 10x10G, and 10x12G architectures. These new architectures require converged features demanding a wide range of data rates and protocols in the same chassis. Supported by Vitesse's industry-best FlexEQ™ EDC capabilities, advanced VScope™ remote waveform viewing technology, an extensive suite of self test (BIST) functions, and low jitter, fully-compliant 10G BASE-KR output drivers, the VSC8248 is an ideal device for providing improved signal integrity in converged parallel applications.

“The newest members of the celebrated FlexEQ-based product family deliver compelling blends of features and functionality to meet the stringent requirements of the SFP+ and next-generation and legacy backplane markets,” said Gary Paules, product marketing manager for Vitesse. “The superior capabilities of the VSC8248 solidify Vitesse's performance lead across a number of applications while supporting the market trends toward higher density, converged protocols, and lower cost.”

VSC8248 Seamlessly Supports Multiple Applications
Quad SFP+ module support: Ideal for all SFP+ formats including passive copper modules up to 20 meters, the VSC8248 is an affordable choice to support multi-channel SFP+ host applications compliant to 10 Gbps SFP+ 10GBASE-SR, 10GBASE-LR, 10GBASE-LRM, SFF-8431, and 8.5G Fibre Channel FC-PI-4 specifications. The VSC8248 TX path KR output driver can be optimized for driving copper in a passive copper module application or for superior optical eye, including minimum jitter generation, in optical applications. Delivering BIST functions, along with loopbacks, reduces prototype development, time-to-market and overall manufacturing cost. Independent module management for all four of the SFP+ module formats greatly simplifies host circuit card design while reducing bill of material costs.

Backplane Upgrades: Legacy links suffer from a number of signal degradations as data rates are increased. The VSC8248 includes a high tap count, analog EDC receiver to enable error free data transmission at the higher data rates. The high number of FFE and DFE coefficients enable the Vitesse EDC receiver to compensate for more than five UI of signal “spreading” due to reflections and other impairments. The EDC receiver also provides excellent crosstalk immunity and bit error rates of less than 10-15 in links degraded as much as 6dB ICR.

Long Haul SMF: The VSC8248 has been successfully deployed in long haul optical links where maximum performance is required. In concert with Vitesse Optical Transport Network (OTN) Mappers and Forward Error Correction (FEC) devices, error free links with 11dB OSNR can be easily achieved. The device provides sufficient decision threshold adjustment to support the wide dynamic range required in this application. Proven firmware allows the device to track through any variations that may occur on the optical link. The low-power analog FFE/DFE CMOS-based architecture provides the market's best performance versus power solution for long haul applications available today.

Enabling 40G and 100G CFP Modules: An excellent choice for a variety of 4x10G, 10x10G, and 10x12G CFP module formats, the high-performance VSC8248 RX path receiver enables advanced support of all potential application codes ranges include SR, LR, VR, and potentially ER. The highly flexible TX path output driver can also support an expansive range of applications from EML architectures to driving vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL) directly, optimizing the signal for minimum jitter generation at the optical link. Reducing system cost and design complexity, the VSC8248 includes a complete suite of line and client side loopbacks along with numerous pattern generation and error checking options. The RX path output driver and TX input receiver are capable of overcoming any signal integrity degradation resulting from the CFP connector and up to 10 inches of host FR4 trace compliant to standards including 100GBASE-CR12, 100GBASE-SR12, 40GBASE-CR4, 40GBASE-SR4, and 40GBASE-LR4.

Unique Features and Functionality of the VSC8248
VScope Remote Signal Monitoring: The capabilities afforded by Vitesse's VScope technology are beneficial across all application types but especially ideal for high-density, legacy backplanes since VScope can be used during design verification to ensure optimum signal quality and maximum link margin. When utilized in a production environment, VScope simultaneously validates all system ports, reducing complete system check out to a matter of seconds. To learn more about Vitesse's VScope waveform viewing technology, visit www.vitesse.com/vscope.

Auto-negotiation and Wide Date Rate Support on Independent Channels: The VSC8248 supports Multi-Service Platforms requiring independent channels capable of supporting a wide range of data rates and protocols including Enterprise or client side rates from 8.5 Gbps to 10.5 Gbps supporting 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE), 8G and 10G Fibre Channel, Infiniband and Carrier or line side rates from 9.95 Gbps to 11.3 Gbps supporting 10 Gbps SONET/SDH and OTNs with enhanced FEC-encoded protocols. Already validated on Fibre Channel platforms, the VSC8248 uniquely compensates for the many signal degradations at 8G while simultaneously supporting legacy 4G, 2G, and 1G Fibre Channel requirements. The devices are also verified to support the expansive range of data rates required during KR initialization, ranging from 10s of Mbps to 10 Gbps. The VSC8248 supports independent data rates and protocols simultaneously on each of the four channels. Any unused channels can be disabled until needed to minimize power consumption.

Availability and Pricing
The VSC8248 is available today in leaded and lead-free package versions. Volume pricing is available upon request.

VSC8248 Demo at DesignCon 2010
Vitesse will exhibit in booth #709 at DesignCon 2010, February 2-3, 2010, in Santa Clara, Calif. In booth, a live demonstration of the superior KR transmitter and EDC receiver capabilities of the VSC8248 on copper SFP+ and backplane applications along with interoperability with the Vitesse VSC3144-11 11G Crosspoint will be showcased. Also during the conference, Vitesse will present three technical papers: “Measurement Resolution and Accuracy for VScope Embedded Waveform Viewing Technology;” “Cu Cable Study at 10 GbE Data Rate Utilizing the Latest Technologies for Advanced Equalizers and Passive Cu Cable Assemblies to close on a 20m Link;” and “Technical Considerations in System Integration of EDC IC's in 8G Fibre Channel Applications.” For session times and locations, please reference the DesignCon 2010 conference agenda available at http://www.designcon.com/2010.