Agilent Technologies Ships First Engineering Samples of 10 Gb/s Ethernet Fiber-Optic Transceiver
Source: Agilent Technologies
WWDM Solution Provides Economical Implementation
Palo Alto, CA. Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today announced that it is has shipped first engineering samples of its 10 Gb/s Ethernet (10 GbE) fiber-optic transceiver. This emerging technology is seen as an important tool in keeping up with the relentless demand for more bandwidth in enterprise and metropolitan area networks.
Agilent s wide wavelength division multiplexing (WWDM) solution uses four uncooled 1300 nm distributed feedback (DFB) lasers each running at 3.125 Gb/s. The technology provides an economical implementation of 10 GbE, as it allows for transmission on currently installed fiber-optic cable. The transceivers support transmission of up to 300 m on standard 62.5 m/125 m multimode fiber and up to 10 km on single mode fiber.
"This is an exciting first for Agilent and the entire communications industry," said Dick Chang, vice president and general manager of Agilent s Networking Solutions Division. "This shows that an economically attractive, high-volume implementation of 10 GbE is possible, and we feel that with our technology and manufacturing muscle, Agilent has the ability to lead the charge."
Future 10 GbE Initiatives
Building on the strength of its optical networking expertise, including 10 Gb/s serial laser technology attained in the acquisition of the Optical Technology Center from Telecom Italia, Agilent is developing solutions to meet other proposed IEEE 10 GbE standards. Agilent is planning a suite of fiber optic transceivers optimized for enterprise and metropolitan area networks. The company is also working on the complementary ICs needed to offer a complete solution that will greatly reduce design time and cost for network equipment manufacturers. Agilent is one of very few companies in the world with the technology arsenal to produce these solutions.
About 10 Gigabit Ethernet
The 10 GbE standard is still in the formation stage. Since March 1999, approximately 70 companies and 150 engineers have been discussing 10 Gigabit Ethernet technology in the IEEE 802.3 Higher Speed Study Group. In January 2000, the IEEE 802.3ae task force was officially sanctioned to develop an industry standard for Ethernet at 10 Gb/s. A draft standard is expected in 2001, with a full ratification of this standard expected by the spring of 2002.
Agilent is a charter principal member of the 10 Gigabit Ethernet Alliance, which supports the standards effort. Agilent plans to provide pre-standard products in 2001, and to provide a compliant offering as soon as the standard is ratified.
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is a diversified technology company with approximately 46,000 employees serving customers in more than 120 countries. Agilent is a global leader in designing and manufacturing test, measurement and monitoring instruments, systems and solutions, and semiconductor and optical components. In fiscal year 1999, Agilent had net revenue of more than $8.3 billion. The company serves markets that include communications, electronics, life sciences and healthcare.
Information about Agilent Technologies can be found on the Web at www.agilent.com.
Contact: Agilent Technologies, Inc. Don Parkman Tel: 408/654-8794 don_parkman@agilent.com
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
Don Parkman
Tel: 408/654-8794
don_parkman@agilent.com
E-mail: don_parkman@agilent.com
Web site: http://www.agilent.com
