8 January 2004 Palo Alto, CA Lightwave -- Agilent Technologies Inc. has joined the Unified 10-Gbit/sec Physical-layer Initiative (UXPi) as a contributing member. Publicly launched in October 2003 by Applied Micro Circuits Corp., IBM, Infineon AG, Texas Instruments, and Xilinx Inc., the goal of the group is to advocate a common 10-Gbit/sec physical-layer standard across multiple markets (telecommunications, data communications, computational, etc.) to simplify and accelerate the implementation of next-generation 10-Gbit/sec systems.
Adopting the UXPi standard will reduce time to market and development costs of products like high-speed backplanes, routers, and switches, say UXPi representatives. The group believes the standard will enhance opportunities in industry-wide interoperability by providing a common electrical specification that protocols can be built upon.
The trend toward serial connectivity is being driven by the need to reduce system costs, simplify system design and provide scalability to meet new bandwidth requirements. UXPi members have been strong supporters of the work within the Optical Internetworking Forum on the development of the Common Electrical Interface (CEI), which includes 6-Gbit/sec and 11-Gbit/sec high-speed backplane standards. UXPi's vision is to see such development occur in parallel coordination in numerous standards venues. UXPi interfaces will provide a basis for future high-bandwidth connections in chip-to-chip, chip-to-optical module, and backplane applications.
"Agilent looks forward to working with UXPi to provide technical contributions toward the development of this new electrical specification," asserts Sigi Gross, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Digital Verification Solutions Division. "We have long supported open industry standards, and work in this group fits nicely with our corporate objectives. UXPi will immediately enhance development of high-speed backplanes operating beyond today's three and four Gbits/sec."
"The testing and compliance methods associated with 10-Gbit/sec standardization are integral to the success of advanced serial standards," adds Brian Seemann, chairman of UXPi. "UXPi is very pleased to have Agilent joining the effort and look forward to their contributions."