Gigabit Transceiver Enables Higher Port Density Ethernet Switches

Introduced as the industry's first Gigabit Transceiver for Ethernet networks fabricated using 0.18 µm CMOS-process technology, the Alaska (88E1000) transceiver enables switch/router system makers to develop higher port density Gigabit switches. It is claimed that two to three times more ports than existing Gigabit-over-copper transceivers is possible.
The transceiver incorporates all three Ethernet speeds, 10, 100 and 1,000 Mb/s, on a single chip with standard-based, auto negotiation. Using mixed- and digital-signal processing and power management techniques, the devices dissipates only 1.8W while operating from a single 3.3-V supply, compared to single-port copper transceivers that typically dissipate 7W.
Other features include a 10-bit interface in 1000BaseT mode, programmable interrupts, IEEE 1149.1 boundary scan support, and six direct-drive LEDs. To optimize board layout, the Alaska device is packaged in a 128-lead PQFP featuring a body width of only 14 mm. Pricing is $56 in sample quantities.