Based on XENPAK Technology, New MSA Defines Smaller Form Factor, Versatile Package That Saves Costs and Board Space
Ottawa, Canada and San Jose, California – July 22, 2002 – Eight leading networking component suppliers, including Agere Systems, Agilent Technologies, JDS Uniphase, Mitsubishi Electric, NEC, OpNext, Optillion and Tyco Electronics, today announced “X2,” a new multi-source agreement (MSA) for smaller form factor 10 Gigabit-per-second (Gb/s) pluggable fiber optic transceivers. Transceivers developed using this new specification will offer a smaller size that reduces board space on line cards for optical networking systems.
The X2 specification supports multiple 10 Gb/s applications, providing network equipment manufacturers (NEMs) with one platform that addresses several 10 Gb/s markets. This flexibility to cover a wider range of applications has in previous product generations enabled higher volumes and lower optics costs. While another MSA also specifies a smaller version of the popular XENPAK transceiver, the X2 MSA has stronger industry support and is more compatible with the existing XENPAK MSA specification.
The X2 MSA specifies a module that is physically shorter than XENPAK, mounts on the topside of the host PCB and uses the established electrical I/O specification defined by the XENPAK MSA. X2 is initially focused on optical links to 10 kilometers and is targeted at “second generation” 10 Gb/s enterprise, storage and telecom applications that do not require the thermal capacity provided by XENPAK.
Optically, the X2 MSA supports 802.3ae 10 Gb Ethernet, ANSI/ITUT OC192/STM-64 SONET/SDH interfaces, ITUT G.709, OIF OC192 VSR, INCITS/ANSI 10GFC (10 Gigabit Fibre Channel) and others. X2 is ideally suited for Ethernet, Fibre Channel and telecom switches and standard PCI (peripheral component interconnect) based server and storage connections, where a “half size” XENPAK optical transceiver is desired.
The X2 platform is designed so that the heat sink and front bezel can be easily adapted to the different needs of the key 10 Gb/s markets. X2 can be mounted on the front panel, mid board, or on a conventional PCI card. The X2 MSA offers a more thermally robust solution and provides better electromagnetic shielding than the other “smaller XENPAK” proposals.
X2 uses the same Tyco Electronics-designed 70-pin electrical connector as XENPAK, now available from other suppliers, and supports XENPAK’s four wire XAUI (10 Gigabit attachment unit interface). X2 also will support the OIF SFI4_P2 and serial electrical interfaces as they emerge.
The X2 MSA group will make the details of the specification available to the industry so that other optical transceiver manufacturers can produce compatible products. The companies expect to begin shipping these new 10 Gb/s transceivers in the first half of 2003.
About the X2 MSA
The X2 MSA welcomes application for membership from both transceiver and network equipment manufacturers. For more information on joining the MSA and status and availability of the specification, visit http://www.x2msa.org/.
About JDS Uniphase
JDS Uniphase is a high technology company that designs, develops, manufactures and sells a comprehensive range of products for high-performance fiberoptic communications applications. These products are deployed by system manufacturers worldwide to develop optical networks for the data communications, telecommunications and cable television industries. JDS Uniphase Corporation is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol JDSU, and the exchangeable shares of JDS Uniphase Canada Ltd. are traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol JDU. More information on JDS Uniphase is available at http://www.jdsu.com/.
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