Vitesse Introduces Break-Through Signal Integrity Solution for Backplane Design and Communications Systems

Integrated VScope™ Waveform Viewing Technology Answers Call for Improved Signal Integrity Analysis and Remote Monitoring of Live Signals
DesignCon 2008
Booth #812

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation (Pink Sheets:VTSS), a leader in high-speed communication IC solutions, announced today the VSC3406, a 6.375 Gigabit per second (Gbps) multi-rate backplane transceiver. The VSC3406 builds upon Vitesse’s portfolio of proven, industry-recognized technology, incorporating the latest clock-data recovery (CDR) techniques and signal integrity toolset for backplane and interconnect design.

The VSC3406 is the first in a family of CDR products to feature Vitesse’s new VScope™ waveform viewing technology that embeds an oscilloscope function into the receiver of input CDR circuits. This comprehensive signal integrity solution gives engineers a single device that enables both a high-speed transceiver function and verification mechanism.

“Embedded oscilloscope functionality can potentially lower network testing and maintenance costs, an ongoing concern for anyone who manages a network,” said Aileen Arcilla, senior analyst - semiconductors: networking, broadband and storage for International Data Corporation (IDC). “Providing this means of remote diagnostic capability can offer telecom carriers and data center managers a more direct way to verify signal integrity within the data path itself and take corrective action in a timelier manner.”

As the most complete 6 Gbps backplane signal integrity solution available to date, the VSC3406 6.375 Gbps multi-rate, multi-function backplane transceiver has six high-speed differential transmit and receive interfaces, complete with on-chip termination ideal for interfacing to a variety of media such as PCB traces, cables or optoelectronic devices connected to optical fiber.

The VSC3406 features a 2-to-1 rate multiplier mode that allows data “multiplication” up to 6.375Gbps, doubling bandwidth over existing backplanes. A typical application includes XAUI rate-doubling for efficient transmission in high-speed backplanes over half the number of wires. Coupled with the signal equalization function, these rate multiplier modes can be used to run double and quadruple the amount of bandwidth over existing copper traces. This gives OEMs the ability to field-upgrade equipment to handle greater bandwidth by upgrading line cards and switch cards in existing equipment.

“Vitesse is building upon many years of research, product developments, customer requirements, and patented innovations with this new solution for signal integrity. The result is the VSC3406: a state-of-the-art tool for enabling next-generation Ethernet and networking systems,” said Juan Garza, product marketing manager for Signal Integrity products at Vitesse. “By integrating our VScope technology into the device, a new remote diagnostic capability that contributes to a more reliable network for telecommunications carriers and data center managers is now available for the first time.”

With a single reference clock input, the VSC3406 achieves highly advanced operations at any data rate between 0.125 Gbps and 6.375 Gbps. The multi-rate CDR of the VSC3406 makes it ideally suited for next-generation backplanes and communication equipment running a variety of protocols, including Gigabit Ethernet, XAUI, Fibre Channel, Serial Attached SCSI (SAS), Serial ATA (SATA) and PCI Express (PCIe).

A fully non-blocking, multicast architecture allows the VSC3406 to be user-configured via a simple, two-wire serial interface for a broad range of signal conditioner, retimer, crossbar, or rate multiplication applications. A high degree of signal integrity is achieved by means of configurable input and output equalization. Cost-effectiveness is realized because engineers can use one product across multiple applications and platforms allowing for maximum re-use and research and development savings.

Availability and Pricing

General samples of VSC3406 devices will be available in the second quarter of 2008. The VSC3406 is priced at $60 USD in volume quantities and is available in an 81-pin, 10mmx10mm FCBGA package.

VScope Waveform Viewing Technology

VScope embedded waveform viewing technology is a per-pin "micro-oscilloscope" that enables new diagnostic capabilities during system development, delivering the ability to perform remote monitoring of live signals on deployed systems. VScope presents system designers with new dynamics and economics in backplane design, signal integrity analysis and remote monitoring of communication systems. For more information about VScope, please visit http://www.vitesse.com/vscope.

Vitesse to Present at DesignCon 2008

Vitesse will present a paper entitled, “Design and Application of Embedded Waveform Viewing Technology for Integrated Circuits” at DesignCon 2008 the week of February 4-7, 2008, at the Santa Clara Convention Center. Specific presentation time and conference information can be found at DesignCon website: http://www.designcon.com/2008/. Show attendees can also visit the Vitesse booth #812 for a demonstration of VScope.

About Vitesse

Vitesse designs, develops and markets a diverse portfolio of high-performance, cost-competitive semiconductor solutions for communications networks worldwide. Engineering excellence and dedicated customer service distinguish Vitesse as an industry leader in Gigabit Ethernet LAN, Ethernet-over-SONET, Fibre Channel, Optical Transport, and other applications. Vitesse innovation empowers customers to deliver superior products for Enterprise, Access, Metro, and Core applications. Additional company and product information is available at www.vitesse.com.

Vitesse is a registered trademark and VScope is a trademark in the United States and/or other jurisdictions of Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation. All other trademarks or registered trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective holders.

Safe Harbor

Statements made in this release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking” statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements containing words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “hope,” “intend,” and similar expressions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ are identified in the public filings made by Vitesse with the Securities and Exchange Commission and include the fact that we have disclosed that you should not rely upon our published financial statements and the fact that we have not filed all of our reports required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. More information on factors that could affect our business and financial results are included in our public filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available on the web site of the Securities and Exchange Commission, www.sec.gov.