Vitesse optimizes power for green gigabit Ethernet networks

CAMARILLO, USA: Vitesse Semiconductor Corp., a leading provider of advanced IC solutions for Carrier and Enterprise networks, announced an expansion of its energy-efficient SimpliPHY family of Gigabit Ethernet (GE) physical layer devices. With green features that reduce power consumption by 75 percent or more, the VSC8552 and VSC8504 are ideal for products such as broadband access gateways, Enterprise IP phones, switches, routers, and smart grid connectivity devices.

Customer demand for eco-friendly network equipment has lead to the emergence of energy efficiency mandates such as Energy Star’s upcoming Small Network Equipment specification and IEEE 802.3az 2010 Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE). The IEEE estimates that when 802.3az-compliant products have been fully deployed in new and existing Ethernet networks, US power savings could reach five terawatt-hours per year, reducing ICT carbon footprint by roughly five million tons per year.

The two-port VSC8552 and four-port VSC8504 devices support dual media copper and fiber ports, and leverage Vitesse’s award-winning EcoEthernet 2.0 technology. This enables power dissipation between 160mW and 400 mW per port depending upon traffic utilization levels for an active link over twisted-pair copper wiring.

EcoEthernet is compliant to the Energy Star framework with unique features such as PerfectReach, an intelligent cable length algorithm that saves power based on the reach of a connection and ActiPHY, which reduces power consumption by 75 percent or more for unconnected ports. Additionally, the technology delivers unprecedented energy efficiency features with LED brightness control and unique integrated temperature-monitoring and fan-control logic. This can significantly reduce total BOM costs by removing the need for an external temperature sensor, while increasing system reliability.

Many systems continue to utilize ASIC and network processor components with RGMII interfaces in order to protect long-term investments in software. Designers needing to interface these components to another device using the SGMII interface, such as a high-port count Gigabit switch, can utilize the VSC8552 in an RGMII-to-SGMII conversion mode for a low-power solution. Similarly, the VSC8504 can perform SGMII-to-QSGMII conversion.

“Network equipment vendors across all segments are looking for ways to reduce system power and increase system efficiency,” said Brian Jaroszewski, senior product marketing manager at Vitesse. “Vitesse is committed to remaining at the forefront in green innovations, which helps our customers gain a competitive edge and bring differentiated energy-efficient network solutions to market.”

Samples of the lead-free RoHS 6 devices, in 17-mm-square 256-pin BGA packages, are available immediately, with production scheduled for July 2011.