X2 MSA group ratifies spec for 10Gbit/s pluggable transceivers
25 February 2003 -- The X2 multi-source agreement (MSA) group has completed work on Revision 1.0 of its technical specifications for smaller-form-factor 10Gbit/s pluggable fibre-optic transceivers.
Revision 1.0 builds on the initial MSA platform, announced in July 2002, which defines a versatile smaller-form-factor pluggable package based on XENPAK technology. With this revision, the MSA group has finalised all key characteristics for X2 devices for multiple 10Gbit/s applications including Ethernet XAUI, Fiber Channel XAUI and SFI4 Phase2 applications. X2 transceivers are expected to begin shipping imminently.
The X2 MSA group membership includes Agilent Technologies Inc, Ignis Optics, JDS Uniphase, Mitsubishi Electric, Molex Incorporated, Multiplex Inc, NEC, NTT, Opnext, Optillion, Pine Photonics, TriQuint Optoelectronics and Tyco Electronics, but it is making the details of the specification available so that other optical transceiver manufacturers can produce compatible products.
The X2 MSA welcomes application for membership from both transceiver and network equipment manufacturers.