New 4-Channel Fiber Optic Transceiver from Zarlink Beats Industry Expectations for Performance, Reliability
JARFALLA, SWEDEN, July 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Zarlink Semiconductor (NYSE/TSX:ZL) today strengthened its portfolio of parallel fiber optic modules with the launch of a 4-channel pluggable fiber optic transceiver that offers best-in-class performance and reliability.
Already on order with a key global customer and in trials with several others, Zarlink's ZLTM60301 transceiver module achieves a 25% reduction in power consumption over industry specifications for 4-channel fiber optic transceivers. By consuming less power, the transceiver generates and dissipates less heat, which increases the reliability of the component and the overall system.
Designed for (VSR) very-short reach applications, the ZL60301 transceiver offers networking equipment vendors scaleable, high-throughput interconnections of up to 300 meters within and between the racks, shelves, and boards of optical networking equipment utilized in central offices or large enterprises.
Optical transceivers both send and receive data over fiber while efficiently converting the data between the electronic and optical domains. The ZL60301 module combines four separate transmit and receive channels, and connects to a 12-channel multi-mode ribbon fiber. The transceiver handles data at rates up to 2.7 Gb/s (gigabits per second) per channel, for an aggregate capacity of 10.8 Gb/s in each direction.
"Our new 4-channel transceiver module exceeds the industry's already stringent requirements for power dissipation. This performance means increased system reliability for our customers," said Ulf Sundstrom, director, Optical Products, Zarlink Semiconductor.
High VCSEL reliability extends module life
The ZL60301 transceiver employs Zarlink's highly reliable 850-nm (nanometer) oxide VSCEL (vertical cavity surface emitting laser) technology in its transmit side. A laser driver and four-device VCSEL array converts electrical input signals into parallel optical outputs with wavelengths of 850 nm. The receive portion of the module uses a four-PIN (p-type, intrinsic, n- type) photodiode array and amplifiers to convert parallel optical input signals into electrical outputs.
The reliability of the VCSEL array, combined with best-in-class power dissipation and temperature handling, gives the ZL60301 module a life span well above 15 years, meeting the demanding requirements of global telecommunications companies.
Full compliance with industry MSA
The 4-channel ZL60301 transceiver conforms to all specifications of the POP4 (Pluggable Optics 4-channel) MSA (multi-source agreement). This MSA, announced by Zarlink and Agilent Technologies in September 2002, promotes a common standard for pluggable 4-channel parallel optic transceiver modules that offer an aggregate bandwidth of up to 10 Gb/s.
The POP4 MSA specifies footprint, packaging density, electronic and optical interface, as well as general performance characteristics for 4- channel parallel optic transceivers. The agreement promotes flexible and reliable system design by ensuring that customers have access to multiple reliable sources for these modules.
Availability, Packaging, and Pricing
The ZL60301 module will be in volume production this August. Evaluation boards are available now. The transceiver is packaged in a 100-pin pluggable MegArray(R) BGA (ball grid array) connector, and costs US$480 each in quantities of 100. Versions of the module are offered with EMI (electromagnetic interference) shields and external heat sinks. For more information, please visit http://products.zarlink.com/profiles/ZL60301.
About Zarlink Semiconductor
For almost 30 years, Zarlink Semiconductor has delivered semiconductor solutions that drive the capabilities of voice, enterprise, broadband and wireless communications. The company's success is built on its technology strengths including voice and data networks, entertainment and ultra low-power communications, and high-performance analog. For more information, visit http://www.zarlink.com/.
Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, among others, the risks discussed in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are encouraged to consider the risks detailed in those filings.
A high-resolution photograph suitable for publication is available at http://news.zarlink.com/visual_center/. Zarlink, ZL, and the Zarlink Semiconductor logo are trademarks of Zarlink Semiconductor Inc. MEG-Array is a registered trademark of FCI, a division of Areva.
CONTACT: Zarlink, Michael Salter, Media Relations,
613 270-7115, michael.salter@zarlink.com; United States, Natalie Sauve,
High Road Communications, 613 236-0909, nsauve@highroad.com; Europe, June
Stokes, Pinnacle Marketing Communications, 44 (0) 1270 879205,
june@pinnacle-marketing.com
