OpNext Inc., an Eatontown, N.J.-based provider of optical-networking components, today announced the availability of its XENPAK compliant 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) transceiver modules. The XENPAK module can be deployed by systems integrators in local-area network (LAN) and metropolitan-area network (MAN) applications, officials said.
What makes this announcement significant is the fact that the modules are fully-functional, an industry first, an OpNext official said.
OpNext said it has optimized the design of the modules so that the critical components have the best heat paths and cooling convection. Working closely with its top tier customers, OpNext conducted wind tunnel experiments and modeling to ensure working thermal solutions. Moreover, OpNext uses low power mux/demux/CDR CMOS ICs to ensure low power consumption.
Using the industry standard 10 Gigabit Attachment Unit Interface (XAUI), the transceiver converts four 3.125Gbps electrical channels into one serial 10.3125Gbps optical signal for transmission over single mode fiber for distances ranging from 2 meters to 40 kilometers. This makes it ideal for connecting LAN Ethernets in the metro markets, dispensing with the need for costly protocol translations, officials said.
Engineering samples of OpNext's XENPAK compliant 10 GbE transceiver modules are available now, and production quantities will be available in the second quarter of 2002. Pricing details were not immediately available.
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