Vitesse Semiconductor of Camarillo, California, a supplier of semiconductor solutions for carrier and enterprise Ethernet networks, claiming to be the first to introduce integrated signal equalisation in crosspoint switches and via its latest generation FlexEQ technology:

1. Enabling a new level of signal integrity engineering with the introduction of dual time constant equalisation.

2. Allowing system designers to compensate for multiple impairments in the signal path, such as connectors and cabling or skin effect and dielectric losses in PCB traces.

3. Also providing a wider compensation range so a single device can be used in multiple applications, from PCB traces to backplanes to copper cabling.

Has introduced a new 16-port crosspoint switch with enhanced FlexEQ signal equalisation capabilities, plus announced production availability of its 11.5 Gbit/s 144 x 144 crosspoint switch.

VSC3316 16-port crosspoint switch

Described as ideal for transmitting multi-gigabit data signals over PCBs, backplane connectors and copper cabling in a range of communications equipment, Vitesse believes the combined functions of crosspoint switching and Vitesse's FlexEQ equalisation technology make the VSC3316 a low-power signal integrity tool for wherever there are high-speed signals.

Features of the VSC3316 include:

1. Capability of 11.5 Gbit/s per lane bandwidth.

2. Detection/transmission of signal, providing native out-of-band support of SAS/SATA storage protocols.

3. Protocol transparent operation, allowing each channel to run independently.

4. Support for data protocols including Gigabit Ethernet, XAUI and Reduced XAUI, 10GBASE-KR, SAS, SATA, 1/2/4/8/10G Fibre Channel, PCIe Gen 1/2/3 and InfiniBand.

5. Performs signal fan-out, loop-back and protection switching while also regenerating signals otherwise compromised by losses in the transmission medium.

6. Compensation for deterministic jitter across a wide range of operating conditions without requiring re-tuning.

7. Operates on a single 2.5V supply with a typical per-channel power dissipation of 200mW.

8. Samples available in a high-density 15mm x 15mm, 196-pin PBGA package.

VSC3144-11 11.5 Gbit/s 144 x 144 crosspoint switch

The VSC3144-11 is designed to enable a migration path for customers upgrading core/metro network routers and enterprise data centre cross-connect systems to higher capacity and bandwidth levels.

Enabling low-latency, fully non-blocking switching capability on line cards and switch cards, the new VSC3144-11 crosspoint features:

1. 11.5 Gbit/s 144 x 144 non-blocking switch matrix delivering 1.656 Tbit/s switching capacity.

2. Support for virtually all data protocols, including 10 Gigabit Ethernet, XAUI and Reduced XAUI, SONET/SDH, OTN protocols and InfiniBand, as well as emerging services such as 8G Fibre Channel.

3. Footprint compatibility with previous generation devices, allowing a pin-compatible speed upgrade path for the 4.25 Gbit/s VSC3140, 6.5 Gbit/s VSC3144 and 8.5 Gbit/s VSC3144-08.

4. Programmable via a multimode interface that allows both per-channel and global configuration.

5. Powering down of unused channels for efficient use in applications that require only a subset of channels.

6. DC-to-11.5 Gbit/s fully differential signal paths with protocol-independent operation.

7. Adjustable input signal equalisation and adjustable output pre-emphasis, both with per-channel and global control.

8. Power consumption of 21W.

9. Evaluation systems, samples and pre-production volumes available in a 45 mm x 45 mm, 1.27 mm pin pitch, 1072-pin BGA package.

The device also features the company's FlexEQ signal integrity technology.