Module adds reach to 10Gbit/s Ethernet

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Apr 21, 2006

Quellan has achieved a 200% reach extension for the burgeoning 10 gigabit Ethernet standard.

Quellan has achieved a 200% reach extension for the burgeoning 10Gbit/s Ethernet standard.

At the Server Blade Summit, the company demonstrated dual Xenon servers populated with 10 gigabit Chelsio T210-CX protocol engines communicating error-free across a 50m Gore cable link.

The company also pre-announced the second generation of this technology will reach beyond 65m in the third quarter of this year.

The X-Ten Module is approximately the size of a matchbox and incorporates the company's LM4602 Lane Manager embedded between two CX-4 connectors.

The module consumes just 240mW when active and can be powered by battery, USB cable, or an external AC transformer.

The LM4602 devices can also be integrated into network adapters, servers or cable connectors.

The reach extension is made possible by compensating for channel noise, attenuation and impairments with the company's collaborative signal processing architecture.

The resulting LM4602 device is extremely low power and measures just 7 x 4mm.

"Clearly, data centre links are reach limited at these high datarates", said Joel Goergen, Vice President of Technology at Force 10 Networks, a pioneer of high performance 10 gigabit Ethernet switch routers.

"Extending these links with low power embedded silicon is extremely valuable and will accelerate 10 gigabit copper deployments".

The burgeoning market for 10G Ethernet is expected to hit 10 million units in 2010 according to the Dell'Oro group, with almost 50% of these links being over Copper.

With over 70% of the enterprise and data centre links reaching 40m or more, there is a significant opportunity for the X-Ten technology.

"While our Lane Managers serve a broad range of applications, extending 10 gigabit Ethernet reach over copper has been a consistent cry from our data centre partners", said Tony Stelliga, Chairman and CEO of Quellan.

"While our chips can be embedded in connectors, adapter cards or servers - the X- Ten module provides an immediate remedy for reach deprived critical links".

The company's Lane Manager chips are priced at under $2 per port in volume and the X-Ten module sells for $99 in volume.