Vitesse Announces Availability of OC-192 and OC-768 InP Circuits

Fabricated Using an Internal 0.8um InP Process, VIP-1

CAMARILLO, Calif. Vitesse Semiconductor Corp. (Nasdaq:VTSS - news) today announced the availability of the first in a series of indium phosphide (InP) circuits for use in communication systems at 10+Gb/s (OC-192) and 40+Gb/s (OC-768). Vitesse has previously announced the development of an InP HBT process in the 4-inch wafer fab located in Camarillo, and has now demonstrated full rate operation of all of the key building blocks necessary to construct the OC-768 physical layer. Vitesse is now announcing seven integrated circuits in a chipset for OC-768.

The initial 40+Gb/s products include a transimpedence amplifier (TIA VSC4020), a post amplifier or limiting amplifier (PA VSC4040), a photodiode (PIN) optical detector (VSC4085), a 2:1 and 4:1 Multiplexer (VSC4001/05), and a 2:1 and 4:1 Demultiplexer (VSC4002/06). These OC-768 components are available either as evaluation kits in a MMIC style package or as bare die. Operation has been demonstrated at greater than 56Gb/s with high yield and excellent manufacturability. The 4:1 Mux and Demux are also available in a production package. Design of more highly integrated OC-768 components and chip sets is in progress using these building blocks with additional product introductions scheduled for early 2002.

In addition to the OC-768 products, Vitesse also announced the availability of two InP based OC-192 products: A PIN detector (VSC7985) and a monolithically integrated PIN detector and TIA (VSC7987). The VSC7987 is the first in a family Optoelectronic Integrated Circuits (OEICs) and Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) using the VIP-1 process that will lead to monolithic integration of the receive side of an OC-768 transponder in 2002. The monolithic integration of optoelectronic integrated circuits is essential to reduce system cost at both the circuit level and at the module level where, with a 16:1 monolithically integrated transponder, all data rates in excess of OC-48 (2.5Gb/s) are contained on the IC and do not have to propagate on the circuit board, said Alan Huelsman, director of the InP program.

Vitesse is now introducing the following products as the first in a line of InP based electronic and integrated opto-electronic circuits for fiber-based communication.

Product         Description                  Availability             Price (1k units)
                                                                            die package die package

VSC4085      OC-768 Photodiode      11/01                  $300
VSC4020      OC-768 TIA                  11/01                  $400
VSC4040      OC-768 Post Amp        11/01                  $300
VSC4001      OC-768 2:1 Mux           11/01 11/01         $200      $2000
VSC4002      OC-768 1:2 Demux       11/01 11/01         $200      $2000
VSC4005      OC-768 4:1 Mux           11/01 01/02         $400      $900
VSC4006      OC-768 1:4 Demux        01/02 02/02        $400      $900
VSC7985      OC-192 Photodiode       11/01                  $80
VSC7987      OC-192 PIN+TIA           11/01                  $100

VSC4085 - OC-768 PIN The VSC4085 is a high-speed photodiode with a bandwidth of 47GHz for use at data rates of 43Gb/s. It is a normal incidence PIN with an active diameter of 15um. Product is available in die form.

VSC4020 - OC-768 TIA The VSC4020 transimpedance amplifier has a bandwidth of 35GHz and a transimpedance gain of 150 ohms. A higher gain version will be available in die form in December 2001.

VSC4040 - OC-768 PA The VSC4040 post amplifier or limiting amplifier has a bandwidth of 49GHz with single ended input and differential output. Output swing is 300mV p-p. VSC4001 - OC-768 2:1 MUX The VSC4001 is a 2:1 mux capable of passing data up to 56Gb/s. Product is available in die form or packaged in a MMIC style package with 2.4mm screw-on connectors.

VSC4002 - OC-768 1:2 DEMUX The VSC4002 is a 1:2 demux capable of passing data up to 56Gb/s. Product is available in die form or packaged in a MMIC style package with 2.4mm screw on connectors.

VSC4005 - OC-768 4:1 MUX The VSC4005 is a 4:1 mux capable of operation at data rates up to 43Gb/s. Product is available in die form now and will be available in a production package in December. A more highly integrated version that includes the CMU will be available early next year.

VSC4006 - OC-768 1:4 DEMUX The VSC4006 is a 1:4 demux capable of operation at data rates up to 43Gb/s. Die will be available at the end of 2001.

VSC7985 - OC-192 PIN The VSC7985 is a high-speed photodiode with a bandwidth of 13GHz for use with signals at 10-12Gb/s. This is a normal incidence PIN with an active diameter of 30um. Product is available in die form.

VSC7987 - OC-192 PIN+TIA The VSC7987 is a monolithically integrated PIN and TIA receiver with a bandwidth of 12GHz and a transimpedence gain of 1200 ohms. This product represents the first in a line of monolithic opto-electronic integrated circuits (OEICs). Product is available in die form.

Vitesse s extensive expertise in the development of manufacturable, high-performance compound semiconductor technologies makes the company uniquely suited to provide InP HBT IC technology for the projected volume ramp of OC-768 communications systems. This first generation of the InP HBT process is based on a vertical, mesa isolated NPN bipolar transistor having a peak ftau of 150GHz, and a peak fmax of 160GHz. The transistor performance is consistent with the bandwidth and edge rate requirements of circuits operating at 40-50Gb/s. The higher data rates are needed to enable the use of system architectures which include forward error correction. The circuits employ three levels of metal interconnect to reduce parasitic capacitance and ease interconnect routing. Vitesse also has InP foundry service available.

Vitesse Semiconductor Corp. is a leading designer and supplier of innovative, high- performance integrated circuits (ICs) and optical modules used in next generation networking and optical communications equipment. The company s products address the needs of Enterprise, Access, Metro, Core and Optical Transport network equipment manufacturers who demand a robust combination of high-speed, high-service delivery and low-power dissipation in their products. In concert with its broad communications product portfolio, Vitesse also develops ICs for storage area networking and enclosure management. Vitesse has headquarters in Camarillo. Company and product information can be found on the Web at www.vitesse.com or is available by calling 1-800-VITESSE.

Contact:
Vitesse Semiconductor Corp.,
Camarillo Jennifer Goman, 805/388-3700
 jgoman@vitesse.com
or
CMC Public Relations
Caroline Melnicoff, 650/324-8819
 cmp1@earthlink.net