Lucent Technologies Announces InfiniBand(TM)* System Chip For Speeding Up Internet Data Flow Across Computer Networks
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SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU - news) Microelectronics Group, the world leader in communications semiconductors, today announced an InfiniBand(TM) system chip designed to accelerate Internet data through next-generation computer networks, lower power consumption and electronic costs, and reduce time-to-market intervals for equipment manufacturers. The announcement of the chip coincides with this week's Intel Developer Forum Conference here.
InfiniBand technology is a channel-based architecture, based on hardware and software, which makes it easier to link many
computer servers together as bandwidth demands increase for computing systems. Using a packet-based switching fabric,
InfiniBand technology is expected to spawn faster, less congested, and more reliable transport of data through Internet infrastructure equipment. The InfiniBand 1.0 standard specification is expected to be issued this fall, and products using chips based on the standard are expected to be on the market late next year.
Lucent's new system solution, named the LU6X14FT, integrates four 3.125 Gigabits per second (Gbit/s) serializer/deserializer (SERDES)** channels on a single chip. The four channels on one chip are critical for aggregating data rates of up to 12.5 Gbit/s, and reducing four chips to one, thereby lowering electronics costs. Lucent's chip is also designed to have a power consumption of approximately 225 milliwatts per channel (a total of 900 milliwatts for four channels)-nearly two-thirds lower than the nearest competing chip. Chips that consume less power are extremely critical in higher-speed, higher- bandwidth computer network equipment, because they prevent system overheating and lower electronics costs.
Lucent's four-channel chip is easier to design into embedded systems; reduces circuit board space and thereby reduces
electronics costs; reduces power consumption; improves control and monitoring of each channel; and provides additional support for backplane and chassis applications. Lucent will offer its four-channel chip as a standalone part as well as part of a customized and integrated system solution.
``Other chip companies offer InfiniBand chips either as standalone parts or as integrated solutions, but they usually don't offer both. That's a key differentiator for Lucent,'' said Bob Merritt, director of emerging markets with Arizona-based Semico Research. ``Lucent's customers can reduce their risks by initially using Lucent's standalone chip. Then, if they decide later they want an integrated system solution, they can use the same device as part of an integrated product.''
``Lucent's announcement is a signal of the growing momentum behind InfiniBand architecture,'' said Jim Pappas, director of initiative marketing for the enterprise group of Intel Corp. ``InfiniBand architecture will create a great leap forward for data center design. SERDES are integral components of an InfiniBand fabric.''
Lucent is an active member of the InfiniBand(SM) Trade Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing and promoting the InfiniBand architecture.
``InfiniBand technology is like a wide open bridge carrying easy-flowing traffic over what have been increasingly congested waters-computer networks,'' said Kevin Cone, InfiniBand products director with Lucent's Microelectronics Group. ``Our integrated InfiniBand chip solutions are all about calming those congested computer networks as efficiently and inexpensively as possible.''
Lucent's four-channel, 12.5 Gbit/s chip is the second in a series of communications semiconductor solutions that the company has planned for the InfiniBand market. Today's chip announcement builds on the company's growing family of InfiniBand chip offerings, which includes a single-channel, 2.5 Gbit/s InfiniBand chip (LU6X31FT) that was announced earlier this year and now is available in production quantities.
Initial applications for InfiniBand chips will be in the campus data environment, though connecting to the even bigger Internet is definitely on our roadmap as well,`` added Cone. ''With InfiniBand technology, Lucent's Microelectronics Group brings its communications leadership to the computing server and computer storage space.``
Lucent's research and development arm, Bell Labs, developed the mixed signal (analog and digital) chip using .13 micron
COM2 process technology, and an exceptionally low 1.5 volt complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology.
``Implementing the analog and high-speed digital circuits at only 1.5 volts, while meeting strict jitter specifications for this InfiniBand application, required innovations in our phase lock loop technology and on- chip voltage regulator techniques,'' said John Khoury, general manager of platform technologies with Bell Labs. ``The success of this device stems from an auto-calibration technique that enables the phase lock loop to produce extremely low jitter while covering data rates spanning the range from 1.0625 Gbit/s to 3.125 Gbit/s with a sub-1.5 volt power supply.''
Bell Labs also contributed the highly programmable features such as transmit pre-emphasis, amplitude control, and built-in self-testing.
Lucent's chip is scheduled to be available in production quantities by early in next year's first quarter. In quantities of 10,000, the chip is priced at approximately $95.
For more product information, customers may call the Microelectronics Group Customer Response Center, 800-372-2447, Dept. N52 (in Canada, 1-800-553-2448, Dept. N52; fax number 1-610-712-4106 (especially for callers outside of North America)) Phone: 1-610-712-4323; or write to Lucent Technologies, Room 30L-15P-BA, 555 Union Boulevard, Allentown, Pa. 18103 or email docmaster@micro.lucent.com. Information about Lucent's InfiniBand products can also be found at
lucent.com. |
