PMC-Sierra intros IP over OTN chip for packet and optical metro convergence applications

OCTOBER 19, 2009 -- PMC-Sierra Inc. has announced the PM5422 META 20G device, designed to enable Carrier Ethernet switch and router (CESR) equipment to seamlessly connect to emerging metro optical transport networks based on ITU-T G.709 OTN.

Carriers worldwide are transitioning their networks to OTN for optimized transport of IP services. The META 20G is engineered to enable a converged OTN infrastructure across IP and optical equipment, with unified end-to-end network management. The device integrates Carrier Ethernet mapping and framing of 10-Gigabit Ethernet LAN and WAN, and OTN mapping of IP-services such as storage-area networks (SANs) and video protocols, while maintaining support for deployed technologies such as packet over SONET/SDH (POS).

“Telecom and datacom equipment consolidation will continue as carriers demand converged IP and optical infrastructure solutions to lower their capital and operating costs,” said Travis Karr, vice president and general manager of PMC-Sierra’s Communication Products Division. “PMC-Sierra’s OTN product family enables OEMs to standardize their hardware and software around a single platform for carrier router, switch, and transport equipment.”

“With global IP traffic forecast to almost double every nine to twelve months for the next few years, we’re seeing the industry move towards IP/MPLS-optimized networks with OTN as the baseline transport technology,” said Yuval Bachar, vice president, CTO of HSBU, Juniper Networks.

META 20G’s concurrent framing and mapping of Carrier Ethernet, OTN, and SONET/SDH reduces line card variants and simplifies carrier supply chain operations, says PMC-Sierra. Its flexible system-side interfaces enable seamless integration onto new and existing line cards with direct-connect to network processors and packet processing engines, the company adds.

PMC-Sierra says the META 20G offers a wide range of capabilities, including:

• Broad support of optical modules: Independent, rate-agile SERDES for direct-connect to 10G SFP+ and XFP modules for dense multi-port configurations
• Any-Service over OTN: Support for 10G LAN, WAN, SAN, video, and POS
• Carrier-grade 10-Gigabit Ethernet capabilities: Integrated timing over packet (IEEE 1588 and SynchE) and Ethernet Link OAM required in latency-sensitive applications such as mobile backhaul.

The PM5422 META 20G devices are available in 27x27-mm 672 ball FCBGA packages.

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