Marvell Gearbox Good for All GigE Media Types

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Marvell announced a new member of its 100 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) Gearbox with Multilink Gearbox (MLG) functionality. The device enables 100 Gbits/s full duplex transmission and performs all physical layer functions required for a variety of media, including single mode and multimode optical modules, copper backplanes, and passive and active copper direct attach cables.

The 88X5111 line interface, a member of the company's Alaska family of products, is fully compliant with IEEE 802.3BJ and supports Reed Solomon forward error correction (RS-FEC) required for 100G-CR4, 100G-KR4 and 100G-SR4 operation, as well as auto-negotiation and coefficient training protocol required by IEEE 802.3 standards.

Its MLG functionality aligns with OIF MLG 2.0 specifications, enabling aggregation of 10 independent streams of 10Gbps Ethernet or two independent streams of 40Gbps Ethernet to be multiplexed onto a 4x25Gbps stream. The 8X5111 also connects to a media access control (MAC) or switch over a 10x10Gbps CAUI-10 link on its host interface.

The device includes internal PRBS generators, and Ethernet packet generators and loopbacks to assist with testing and debugging.

Michael Zimmerman, vice president and general manager, of Marvell's connectivity, storage and infrastructure (CSI) business unit claimed, "the 88X5111 is unique in its support for all 100GbE media types -- 100G-LR4 and SR4 optics, 100G-KR4 backplanes, and 100G-CR4 passive copper cables, giving flexibility in deployment... In addition, the Multilink Gearbox functionality integrated into the 88X5111 enables next generation switch ASICs with 25G/s I/Os to support 10GbE and 40GbE ports in a power- and cost-efficient manner."

Manufactured with 28 nanometer lithography in a 17mm x17mm package, the 88X5111 is a single chip transceiver. The 88X5111 currently is sampling to Marvell's global customers and will be sold as a standalone PHY, as well as with Marvell switches.

Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (Nasdaq: MRVL)