Marvell Intros GigE PHYs

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- Marvell(R) (NASDAQ: MRVL), a technology leader in the development of extreme broadband communications solutions, today announced the availability of the industry's broadest portfolio of 0.13-micron CMOS Gigabit Ethernet PHYs, further extending the Company's leadership in driving Gigabit to the desktop. The Marvell Alaska(R) family of single, quad and octal transceivers support end-to-end Gigabit applications from the client to the switch. The devices offer the world's lowest power consumption and the most advanced feature set including the Marvell Virtual Cable Tester(TM) technology, which has become a de facto requirement for Ethernet systems. The single-port Alaska 88E1111 PHY transceiver is the first in the industry to enable a copper 1000BASE-T Gigabit Small Form Factor Pluggable (SFP) module, which is a hot-swappable, plug-and- play device used in Gigabit applications. The 88E1111 PHY features physical dimensions of only 9mm x 9mm, making it the only device small enough to physically fit into the SFP module. In addition, the Alaska device is the only PHY to meet the stringent power requirements of the SFP Multi-Source Agreement (MSA). With the availability of the Alaska 88E1111 transceiver, systems manufacturers can now offer copper versions enabling systems to interchangeably support both copper and fiber media. "Most Gigabit Ethernet system designs are now being deployed using the SFP module form factor as it offers a more cost-effective solution while doubling the port density," stated Craig Fosnaught, Group Product Manager at Molex Incorporated, a leading manufacturer of interconnection products. "The Marvell Alaska device is the only solution on the market today that addresses the space and power constraints of the SFP module. With the Alaska device, we can offer copper-based MSA-compliant SFP modules to complement our existing fiber modules." Marvell Technology Group Ltd.