MARCH 11, 2009 -- Vitesse Semiconductor Corp. (search Lightwave for Vitesse), a provider of advanced IC products for carrier and enterprise networks, has introduced what it claims is the industry's first complete physical media dependent (PMD) chipset for 10-Gbps Ethernet passive optical networks (10GEPON).
Designed to be used in next-generation FTTH deployments, the chipset provides OEMs a migration path to implement faster data rates within the existing network infrastructure. Driving the need for higher data rates in FTTH are densely populated residences, such as multidwelling units (MDUs), and small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) businesses where bandwidth-intensive triple-play applications and services (HD IPTV, VoD, VoIP, and peer-to-peer networking) are now a requirement.
To address this need in the network, Vitesse used its experience with 1GEPON devices to create the 10GEPON chipset, which pairs four ICs to address both the transmit and receive paths within the network. For the transmit path, the company combines a 10-Gbps direct-modulated-laser diode (DML) driver, the VSC7981, with a highly integrated laser burst mode controller, the VSC7960.
On the receive side, the VSC7978 10-Gbps transimpedance amplifier (TIA) and the VSC7987 limiting post amplifier provide continuous-mode operation. Together, this 10GEPON chipset is compliant with the IEEE P802.3av/D3.0 standard, which allows for the coexistence of 1GEPON and 10G-EPON systems on the same distribution network.
"Considering the current mass-deployed 1GEPON in Asia is growing over 40% year-over-year, many industry experts foresee next-generation 10GEPON-based products maturing enough for initial commercial deployments by late 2009 or early 2010," says Angus Lai, product marketing manager for Vitesse.
The VSC7981 and the VSC7960 deliver full compliance to the laser on-off timing, optical transmit power, extinction ratio, and eye mask margin requirements. Other integrated features include a digital burst-mode automatic power control (APC) loop to maintain constant laser transmit power; a bias current preloading feature minimizes burst-mode initialization time for fast startup. The devices are packaged in a 5x5mm QFN package suitable for designs in small-form-factor ONU modules.
The VSC7978 and the VSC7987 offer a complete limiting receiver for 10GEPON downstream applications. The VSC7987 features nine levels of programmable output pre-emphasis to compensate for signal loss between the outputs of this device to the input of the SerDes device. The 3-mV differential input sensitivity optimizes the performance of the ROSA.
The 10GEPON chipset is sampling now; the ICs combined in the device can also be purchased separately. A reference design evaluation board for 10GEPON with various transmit optical subassembly (TOSA) devices and complete firmware will be available in 2Q09.
Vitesse will showcase a live demonstration of the 10GEPON symmetric burst-mode driver and SerDes technology at the OFC/NFOEC 2009 Expo, Mar. 24-26, 2009, in San Diego, CA, at the San Diego Convention Center.
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