Vitesse launches low power SFF 10-Gbit/sec transponders

12 June 2003 Camarillo, CA Lightwave -- Vitesse Semiconductor Corp. recently announced the availability of its small form factor (SFF) 10-Gbit/sec, 300-pin MSA-compatible transponders for short, intermediate, and long reach applications: the VIT5020, VIT5040 and VIT5080, respectively.

These SFF (2.2 x 3 x 0.53 inches) transponders achieve dramatic power and size reduction by incorporating Vitesse developed, highly integrated CMOS ICs within each module, explain company representatives.

The principal device is the VSC8473 CMOS transceiver, which combines both Mux and Demux functions into a single IC. It enables the transponders to attain what the company claims is an all-time industry low of four watts (4W) of power under typical conditions for both IR and LR applications and assists in meeting the size requirements of the SFF specification. The advanced features of the transceiver also enable diagnostic and line loopback capabilities along with improved jitter and dispersion performance. Another Vitesse component in the device is the VSC7983 10 G EML laser driver.

By replacing many of the high-priced, size prohibitive optics with advanced electronic components, Vitesse gains a competitive advantage in delivering transponders to metro equipment providers. The small size, low cost, and low power allows OEMs to deliver a higher density of 10-Gbit/sec transponders on line cards.

"By integrating advanced, high-performance CMOS ICs into the VIT5020, VIT5040, and VIT5080, Vitesse achieved the lowest power consumption currently available in the industry, met smaller size specifications, and reduced the cost of 300-pin MSA compliant SFF transponders without sacrificing performance," asserts Amit Jain, vice president of the Optical Systems Group, from Vitesse's Transport Product Division. "With this product introduction, the industry has hit a turning point where smarter electronics will marginalize the importance and cost of optics in transport links."

SFF 10-Gbit/sec transponders

VIT5020: Over short distances (0 to 20 km), the VIT5020 meets the challenge of providing 10-Gbit/sec interconnectivity. A cooled 1310-nm EML laser combined with a high sensitivity PIN receiver ensures excellent optical performance, says Vitesse. This design allows OEMs to use the VIT5020 for all Telcordia GR-253 IR-1 and ITU-T G.691 S64.1 applications.

VIT5040: This intermediate-reach (0 to 40 km) SFF transponder uses a cooled 1550-nm EML laser combined with the same high performance PIN receiver seen in the VIT5020. The VIT5040 meets the requirements of Telcordia GR-253 IR-2, ITU-T G691 S64.2b and IEEE 802.3ae ER specifications.

VIT5080: For long-reach applications (0 to 80 km), the VIT5080 uses a high-power, cooled 1550-nm EML laser combined with either an APD or PIN receiver. It meets the requirements of Telcordia GR-253 LR-2, ITU-T G691 L64.2 specifications. There is less than a 2 dB optical dispersion penalty at 1600 ps/nm, a requirement for long reach metro and regional SONET applications.

In addition to the new functionality, the SFF transponders include all of the features of Vitesse's 10-Gbit/sec transponder product family: An I²C interface for configuration, monitoring, and alarms; an optional jitter filter; and compliance with Telcordia GR-253, ITU-T G.691 and IEEE 802.3ae specifications. Vitesse ensures standards compliance by incorporating the requirements sanctioned by the 300-pin MSA and Serial Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF-SFI4-01.0) specification.