SAN DIEGO -- Applied Micro Circuits Corporation (AMCC) (NASDAQ: AMCC) today announced that it has built upon the company's successful Enhanced Forward Error Correction (EFEC) technology with the introduction of the Rubicon family of asynchronous mapping devices. This second-generation family of EFEC devices consists of the Rubicon-48 (S4815), the Rubicon-Metro (S19231) and the Rubicon-Long Haul (S19227). Offering the most complete 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GE) LAN mapping capabilities, Rubicon's efficient and flexible method for building a single transponder can serve both 10GE LAN and 10G SONET/SDH customers utilizing the same optical interface, delivering substantial CAPEX and OPEX savings. When combined with its DispersionXX(TM) PHY partner, the S3394, Rubicon provides the longest reach without regeneration, dramatically reducing power, maximizing performance and lowering overall system costs for customers.

Rubicon is based on AMCC's popular and industry-proven EFEC code, originally brought to market in AMCC's previous generation EFEC chip, Niagara. Like Niagara, Rubicon can run in both EFEC and GFEC (Generic FEC or Reed-Solomon code) modes. The respective EFEC and GFEC codes in each device are also interoperable, allowing Rubicon and Niagara to seamlessly co-exist on the same optical network. By allowing customers to realize the benefits of next-generation technology, while providing a minimal-effort upgrade path from Niagara, Rubicon facilitates a faster time-to-market for 10G and 2.5G FEC applications in WDM and MSPP platforms.

"Rubicon is the next logical step for our FEC product line," said Neal Neslusan, director of product marketing for AMCC. "Its compatibility with the successful EFEC code in our Niagara device allows customers to continue realizing the dividends of their investment in Niagara through Rubicon's next-generation benefits, like lower power, lower cost and complete 10GE LAN mapping capabilities. With Rubicon, AMCC is making the cost-effective and flexible transport of 10GE LAN signals a reality."

Applied Micro Circuits Corp. (AMCC)