XLoom integrates AVDAT connectors into Fulcrum Microsystems platform
JUNE 16, 2008 -- XLoom Communications, Inc. (search for XLoom), a developer of chip-scale optoelectronic interconnects announced today that it has integrated its AVDAT 4X optical connectors with a "Reno" 10-Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) evaluation platform from Fulcrum Microsystems.
"Reno" is a fully integrated platform for the evaluation of Fulcrum's low-latency FocalPoint switch chips, which contains 24 10GbE connectors and reportedly is capable of sustaining full 10-Gbit/sec per-port line rate on all ports simultaneously. XLoom and Fulcrum will demonstrate a new optical interface option aimed at data center and HPC customers looking to extend the limited reaches of traditional, bulky CX4 copper cables. A new mezzanine card for the "Reno" platform will feature 12 AVDAT 4X optical connectors for data rates of 10 Gbits/sec per link that support more than 200 m of reach using a multimode fiber ribbon.
Gidi Klein, vice president for product marketing, XLoom Communications, says, "We are finding that the demand for better cable management and extended reaches are driving the need for our AVDAT 4x based products, which allows our customers to just plug it in and go."
"We are excited to team up with XLoom to provide our customers with a unique optical interconnect solution," says Bud Noren, Fulcrum's senior product line manager. "XLoom's AVDAT 4x optical connector is a unique addition to our 'Reno' reference design, as it requires no board redesign for OEMs and switch vendors that leverage our CX4-based reference designs."
AVDAT 4X is a compact, four-lane optical transceiver, which the company says is the industry's first transceiver having a footprint and contact-pattern compatible with the 10GBase-CX4 standard. It is suitable for use in 10GbE switches to extend link distances to more than 200 m compared with only a few meters supported by standard copper cables. The AVDAT 4X also supports InfiniBand SDR (10 Gbits/sec per link) and DDR (20 Gbits/sec per link), as well as Fibre Channel switches.
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