Zarlink Offers Transceiver

JARFALLA, Sweden -- Zarlink Semiconductor (NYSE/TSX:ZL) today strengthened its portfolio of parallel fiber optic modules with the launch of a 4-channel pluggable fiber optic transceiver that offers best-in-class performance and reliability. Already on order with a key global customer and in trials with several others, Zarlink's 60301 transceiver module achieves a 25% reduction in power consumption over industry specifications for 4-channel fiber optic transceivers. By consuming less power, the transceiver generates and dissipates less heat, which increases the reliability of the component and the overall system.

Designed for (VSR) very-short reach applications, the ZL60301 transceiver offers networking equipment vendors scaleable, high-throughput interconnections of up to 300 meters within and between the racks, shelves, and boards of optical networking equipment utilized in central offices or large enterprises. Optical transceivers both send and receive data over fiber while efficiently converting the data between the electronic and optical domains. The ZL60301 module combines four separate transmit and receive channels, and connects to a 12-channel multi-mode ribbon fiber. The transceiver handles data at rates up to 2.7 Gb/s (gigabits per second) per channel, for an aggregate capacity of 10.8 Gb/s in each direction.

"Our new 4-channel transceiver module exceeds the industry's already stringent requirements for power dissipation. This performance means increased system reliability for our customers," said Ulf Sundstrom, director, Optical Products, Zarlink Semiconductor.

The ZL60301 transceiver employs Zarlink's highly reliable 850-nm (nanometer) oxide VSCEL (vertical cavity surface emitting laser) technology in its transmit side. A laser driver and four-device VCSEL array converts electrical input signals into parallel optical outputs with wavelengths of 850 nm. The receive portion of the module uses a four-PIN (p-type, intrinsic, n-type) photodiode array and amplifiers to convert parallel optical input signals into electrical outputs. The reliability of the VCSEL array, combined with best-in-class power dissipation and temperature handling, gives the ZL60301 module a life span well above15 years, meeting the demanding requirements of global telecommunications companies.

The 4-channel ZL60301 transceiver conforms to all specifications of the POP4 (Pluggable Optics 4-channel) MSA (multi-source agreement). This MSA, announced by Zarlink and Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A) in September 2002, promotes a common standard for pluggable 4-channel parallel optic transceiver modules that offer an aggregate bandwidth of up to 10 Gb/s. The POP4 MSA specifies footprint, packaging density, electronic and optical interface, as well as general performance characteristics for 4-channel parallel optic transceivers. The agreement promotes flexible and reliable system design by ensuring that customers have access to multiple reliable sources for these modules.

Zarlink Semiconductor Inc.