Large Transport Chip Portfolio Targets Metro And Access Networks

An extensive portfolio of multi-rate, multi-protocol network line card chips has been developed for metro and access networks. Designed to perform framing and mapping functions for data transmissions through optical-to-electrical media and back, the Multi-Application and Rate Solutions (MARS) family includes eight new optical transport chips that support several multi-channel configurations for 622 Mb/s, 2.5 Gb/s, 5 Gb/s or 10 Gb/s total aggregate throughput per device. The family also includes six optical data transport devices that support several multi-channel configurations with 25 Gb/s aggregate throughput for enabling next-generation billable data services, such as Gigabit Ethernet over SONET/SDH (GEOS). Besides supporting multi-channel and rate solutions, the MARS devices also provide full path management with built-in automatic protection switching (APS) support, improving reliability and redundancy. And each MARS chip is configured and priced for a specific line card application and port density. Samples are available with volume production scheduled for Q2 '03. For more details and prices, contact AGERE SYSTEMS, Dept. A52, Allentown, PA. (800) 372-2447.