Dark Fiber

TMCnet Contributor

NetLogic Microsystems, Inc., a provider of high-performance semiconductor solutions for next-generation Internet networks, has reportedly launched NLP1220 dual-port 8.5Gbps Fibre Channel Physical Layer (PHY) repeater device for next-generation data center switches and storage Host Bus Adapters (HBAs).

With an integrated low-power equalization engine, the NLP1220 is said to offer best-in-class power consumption and latency to customers and thus is ideal for high-density data center applications.

“Our NLP1220 product extends our 10 Gigabit Ethernet SerDes technology and market leadership into the enterprise storage and data center markets,” said Stefanos Sidiropoulos, vice president of the Physical Layer Products at NetLogic (News - Alert) Microsystems.

“We are excited to see the strong interest for our new Fibre Channel PHY product from multiple customers.”

As mentioned, the NLP1220 PHY device is capable of delivering superior transmit and receive jitter performance due to the integrated high-performance LC phase locked loop circuit and an advanced second-order clock-and-data recovery (CDR) design. Moreover, NetLogic Microsystems’ (News - Alert) granular power-down modes for transmit, receive and equalizer circuitry, combined with an analog/digital hybrid architecture, is said to provide customers with low power and low latency profiles.

NetLogic claims that its newly announced device is the industry’s first dual-port Fibre Channel repeater with 2/4/8G capability as well as the first device with a dual-receiver analog front end, which integrates the receiver and transmitter SerDes functions on a single chip with on-chip clock drivers, multiple loop-back features and PBRS generation and verification for both the line side and system side. Reportedly, the integrated low-power equalization engine doubles the reach of FibreChannel signals on PCB traces and cables, supporting up to 15 meters on 24/26 AWG cables and up to 10 meters on 30 AWG cables.

NetLogic also mentioned that the NLP1220 PHY device is currently available in a compact, RoHS-compliant 12x12mm BGA package with 1mm ball pitch for ease of manufacturability. Moreover, the company also revealed that it has successfully completed interoperability testing of the NLP1220 device with leading 8G FibreChannel controllers, backplanes, direct-attached cables and SFP+ modules.