Infineon Introduces Industry's Most Flexible Chip to Deliver Ethernet Services Over Existing Metropolitan Networks
MUNICH, Germany—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Dec. 1, 2003—
Infineon Technologies (NYSE:IFX)(FWB:IFX) today
announced the addition of an EoS (Ethernet-over-SONET/SDH)
mapper/framer to its portfolio of optical networking products. The new
MetroMapper(TM) 622 chip will enable both data communications and
traditional telecommunications equipment vendors to develop flexible
systems that support current and emerging Ethernet/data transport
services over existing metropolitan-area optical fiber networks.
Infineon is the first supplier in the industry to offer a complete
portfolio of optical networking solutions for any implementation, from
pure voice-only SONET/SDH to resilient packet ring (RPR) and EoS.
"The MetroMapper 622 chip represents the culmination of our
continuing efforts to deliver the broadest portfolio of
standards-based solutions to the optical networking market," said
Subodh Toprani, senior vice president and general manager, Wireline
Communications Business Group, at Infineon Technologies North America.
"It squarely addresses the fastest growing communications market
segment, which is using the SONET/SDH infrastructure to deliver
Ethernet and data services, and complements our solutions for networks
supporting 'pure' TDM and RPR applications."
"Carriers and system vendors are unified in their desire to
provide Ethernet-over-SONET services using the combination of GFP
(Generic Frame Protocol), VCAT (virtual concatenation) and LCAS (Link
Capacity Adjustment Scheme)," said Allan Armstrong, director of
communications semiconductors at analyst firm RHK, Inc.
"Framer/mappers that enable sophisticated new tributary capabilities
will go a long way toward making EoS affordable and pave the way to
the much desired and inevitable convergence of Layer 1 and Layer 2
processing."
Use of the single-chip MetroMapper 622 mapper/framer will result
in significant power, design complexity, software development and
overall system cost savings for manufacturers of line cards for
next-generation SONET/SDH equipment, routers and multi-service
switching platforms. Infineon further decreases development costs and
time to market for its customers by providing complete solutions,
including easy-to-use API-based software device drivers and
best-in-class applications engineering support, in addition to the
silicon and associated evaluation boards.
The MetroMapper 622 mapper/framer, the first member of a new
family of networking ICs, allows equipment manufacturers to develop
systems that meet the latest Ethernet transport requirements as
defined by the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) and ITU-T, including
seamless interface between private and carrier networks, and
any-point-to-any-point connectivity. It is the only EoS chip to offer
a hitless LCAS engine proven in a real network environment and
extensive zero-packet-loss Layer 2 functionality on-chip. With 64 VCGs
(virtual concatenation groups), it also has the highest VCG density in
the industry. The MetroMapper 622 chip provides unsurpassed
flexibility by performing both VCAT (virtual concatenation) and LCAS
functions on-chip in addition to mapping and framing.
Evaluation Board
A complete evaluation board is available for fast design-in and
software development. The board includes a MetroMapper 622 chip,
embedded CPU system, IBM PowerPC 266 MHz processor, embedded LINUX,
software drivers, and a printed circuit board.
Packaging, Price and Availability
Offered in a 1024-contact ball grid array (BGA) package, the
MetroMapper 622 EoS mapper/framer is available now at a low-volume
price of $280.
About Infineon
Infineon Technologies AG, Munich, Germany, offers semiconductor
and system solutions for the automotive and industrial sectors, for
applications in the wired communications markets, secure mobile
solutions as well as memory products. With a global presence, Infineon
operates in the U.S. from San Jose, Calif., in the Asia-Pacific region
from Singapore and in Japan from Tokyo. In the fiscal year 2003
(ending September 2003), the company achieved sales of Euro 6.15
billion with about 32,300 employees worldwide. Infineon is listed on
the DAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on the New York
Stock Exchange (ticker symbol:IFX). Further information is available
at www.infineon.com.
This news release and a product picture are available on-line at
http://www.infineon.com/news/.
Contact:
Infineon Technologies
Karin Braeckle, +49 89 234 28011 (Worldwide Headquarters)
karin.braeckle@infineon.com
Christoph Liedtke, 408-501-6790 (U.S.A.)
christoph.liedtke@infineon.com
Kaye Lim, +65 6840 0689 (Asia)
kaye.lim@infineon.com
Hirotaka Shiroguchi, +81 3 5449 6795 (Japan)
hirotaka.shiroguchi@infineon.com
Investor Relations
+49 89 234 26655 (EU/APAC)
408-501-6800 (USA/CAN)
investor.relations@infineon.com
