10-Gb Ethernet Serial Optical Transceivers Debut

Developed to help reduce the number of optical components needed to achieve 10-Gb transmission speeds—i.e., one rather than four lasers—and, potentially, reduce the number of associated signal processors required as well, the FTRX family of Ethernet serial optical transceivers can transmit and receive data at rates of up to 10.7 Gb/s by relying on a single 1310-nm distributed feedback (DFB) laser or 850-nm vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) together with high-speed optics and proprietary integrated electronics. The 10-Gb transceivers use a 300-pin connector and operate at 2.5W, including the power needed for multiplexing and demultiplexing.
The FTRX transceivers comply with Clauses 51 and 52 of IEEE P802.3ae Draft 2.0 (10-Gb Ethernet) and with the form-factor defined by the MSA for 300-pin OC-192 transponders. Other, 200- and 50-pin connector versions of the new transceivers are scheduled to debut over the next few months. The initial version of the FTRX family will be designed to transmit at 1310 nm over distances up to 10 km. Price is $1,000 to $2,000, depending on volume.