Fast Crosspoint Switches Implement Migration To 10-Gbit Networking

Nov. 9, 2009

Technology editor Lou Frenzel describes the Vitesse Semiconductor VSC3314-11 and VSC3316 and how they might be used in core/metro routers, blade servers, network storage equipment, broadcast video routers, and other gear with physical-layer switches

Lou Frenzel

The main networking trend today is to ratchet up to the next data rate increment that the standards permit. Most vendors are already on that path to 10 Gbits/s and beyond. Sonet/SDH OC-192/STM-64, 10GBaseW/R/KR, 8G and 10G Fibre Channel, 40GbE XLAUI, 100GbE CAUI, the ITU OTU and OTN standards, SAS, SATA, PCI Express Gen 1/2/3, and InfiniBand are among the technologies requiring 10-Gbit/s paths. However, switching options have limited the migration of some carrier and enterprise gear to that speed range.

If you’re designing core/metro routers, blade servers, network storage equipment, broadcast video routers, and other gear with physical-layer switches, you now can have a fast crosspoint switch to do the job. Vitesse Semiconductor’s VSC3314-11 and VSC3316 can switch, transmit, and recover high-speed signals over lossy PCBs, backplanes, and cable. Both devices incorporate Vitesse’s latest generation of FlexEQ equalization technology, which allows the system designer to compensate for multiple impairments in the signal path such as connectors, cabling, skin effect, and dielectric losses in PCB traces.

The VSC-3144-11 offers dc to 11.5-Gbit/s fully differential signal paths that are protocol independent for a max throughput of 1.656 Tbits/s. It also boasts adjustable input signal equalization with per-channel and global control and adjustable output pre-emphasis with per-channel and global control. And, it offers the lowest power available at this bandwidth level with 21-W power consumption. The VSC3316 has similar features, but in a 16-port by 16-port configuration. In addition, it includes detection/transmission of signal (LOS) providing native out-of-band (OOB) support of SAS/SATA storage protocols. Each channel can run independently.

The VSC31444-11 comes in a 45- by 45-mm, 1072-pin BGA. Samples, evaluation boards, and pre-production volumes are available with full production expected in the fourth quarter. The VSC3316 comes in a 15- by 15-mm, 196-pin PBGA. Samples are available now.

Vitesse Semiconductor
www.vitesse.com/si

About the Author

Lou Frenzel | Technical Contributing Editor

Lou Frenzel is a Contributing Technology Editor for Electronic Design Magazine where he writes articles and the blog Communique and other online material on the wireless, networking, and communications sectors. Lou interviews executives and engineers, attends conferences, and researches multiple areas. Lou has been writing in some capacity for ED since 2000.

Lou has 25+ years experience in the electronics industry as an engineer and manager. He has held VP level positions with Heathkit, McGraw Hill, and has 9 years of college teaching experience. Lou holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and a master’s degree from the University of Maryland. He is author of 28 books on computer and electronic subjects and lives in Bulverde, TX with his wife Joan. His website is www.loufrenzel.com.