Ample Communications completes 40-Gbit/sec frame processor interoperability with Big Bear Networks' optical transponder
23 April 2003 Fremont, CA Lightwave -- Ample Communications today announced that it has completed interoperability testing of its Blackbird 40-Gbit/sec frame processor and Big Bear Networks' Kodiak 40-Gbit/sec transponder.
The interoperability of the SFI-5 compliant interface achieved by Ample Communications and Big Bear Networks gives system designers a proven board-level solution and the confidence to focus on system-level issues instead of device-level connectivity and interoperability, contend the companies' representatives. This interoperability of merchant silicon solutions and optical transponders will streamline and speed the deployment of 40-Gbit/sec solutions in gigabit and terabit routers, multi-service switches, aggregation routers, and test equipment.
Because the Blackbird frame processor includes logic that facilitates development of 40-Gbit/sec applications by utilizing existing 10-Gbit/sec s network processors, system developers can finally purchase all of the hardware components required for development of OC-768 systems and eliminate expensive and time consuming ASIC development.
"This test is an important step forward for 40-Gbit/sec applications in the data communications market," asserts Marek Tlalka, vice president of marketing for Ample Communications. "It offers the first complete off-the-shelf physical layer solution from leading vendors with proven interoperability. This milestone will accelerate time to market as system developers can now quickly place these devices into their designs and focus their development cycles on differentiating software features."
"Big Bear is pleased to work with Ample Communications on this interoperability initiative," adds John Jaeger, Big Bear Networks' vice president of marketing. "Demonstrating interoperability is an essential part of validating industry specifications and speeding the time to market for our customers."
Ample Communications' Blackbird 40-Gbit/sec frame processor is the industry's first single-chip 40-Gbit/sec packet over SONET framer targeted for single port STS-768/STM-256 and four port STS-192/STM-64 SONET/SDH applications, says the company. It combines multiple functional blocks including framer, overhead processor, pointer processor, and data link logic into a single, merchant silicon device designed for cost-effective deployment of multi-port 10-Gbit/sec and single port 40-Gbit/sec interfaces. The line side of the Blackbird device is implemented using an OIF standard compliant 16-bit, 2.5-GHz SFI-5 interface and can be configured to connect to one OC-768 or four OC-192 optical modules. The system side is implemented using four standard SPI-4.2 interfaces to network processor units (NPUs) facilitating an implementation of 40-Gbit/sec systems with existing 10-Gbit/sec NPU solutions.
Big Bear Network's Kodiak 40-Gbit/sec transponder is an MSA standard 300-pin module supporting OC-768 SONET and STM-256 SDH transport, as well as 43-Gbit/sec OTU-3 digital wrapper applications. The transponder incorporates several Silicon Germanium (SiGe) chipsets developed by Big Bear, including the full CMU/Mux and CDR/Demux, contributing significantly to the high performance and reliability of the transponder. The transponder is fully compliant with the 40-Gbit/sec MSA, OIF SFI-5 / SxI-5, and ITU G.693 specifications.