ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- Agere Systems (NYSE: AGR.A), the world leader in communications components, today introduced the industry's first 10-Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) physical layer integrated circuit (IC) for next-generation metropolitan access networks (MAN). Called TETH0110G, the highly integrated device significantly reduces component count, while increasing performance and functionality. The chip's high level of integration will enable network equipment manufacturers to deliver an affordable and reliable optical Ethernet solution that supports the expansion of 10 GbE into the MAN. Designed to the emerging IEEE 802.3ae (draft) specification for serial LAN physical layer devices, the TETH0110G converts 10 gigabit-per-second (Gbit/s) serial data into four 3.125 Gbit/s serial lanes via the 10-gigabit attachment unit interface (XAUI). In addition, the TETH0110G integrates a limiting amplifier and supports features specified in revision 2.0 of the XENPAK multi-source agreement (MSA). "Ten Gigabit Ethernet is poised to take-off next year in local area networks, and especially in metropolitan area networks," said Jeremey Donovan, principal analyst at Gartner Dataquest. "Ethernet fits naturally in the MAN/WAN space, since it is a seamless extension of the way data traffic is carried in enterprises," he said.Agere Systems