Ethernet Alliance forms SFP+/EDC subcommittee

-- Test & Measurement World, 3/4/2008 8:56:00 AM

The Ethernet Alliance announces the formation of the Small Form Factor Pluggable Module/Electronic Dispersion Compensation (SFP+/EDC) subcommittee, formerly known as the 10GBASE-LRM subcommittee.

The mission of the SFP+/EDC subcommittee is to promote 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) by providing information and education on the new SFP+ form factor and associated EDC host ICs, and to demonstrate interoperability and technical feasibility of SFP+ through plug-fests and other activities.

SFP+ modules are hot pluggable, small-footprint optical transceivers designed to support 10GbE data communication applications. The 10GbE SFP+ optical transceivers include the short wavelength multimode fiber transceiver (10GBASE-SR), the long wavelength single-mode fiber transceiver (10GBASE-LR), and the long wavelength multimode fiber transceiver (10GBASE-LRM). Direct-attach SFP+ copper cables are also being developed for shorter connections. Emerging SFP+ interfaces offer a low-cost, high-density alternative for system providers and customers implementing 10GbE in data centers and corporate networks.

EDC is a key enabling physical-layer technology for high-speed communications that compensates for optical and electrical signal impairments. The host ICs designed for 10GbE SFP+ incorporate EDC technology compliant with IEEE 802.3 10GbE optical interface specifications to allow flexibility in host board and connector design.

The SFP+/EDC subcommittee plans to host two plug-fests in 2008. The first plug-fest will be held March 31 through April 4 at the University of New Hampshire Interoperability Lab (UNH-IOL). Ethernet Alliance members will demonstrate technology readiness by presenting several 10GBASE-SR and 10GBASE-LR SFP+ optical modules interoperating with different EDC ICs in a host reference configuration, ensuring IEEE 802.3ae-2002 compliance. The second plug-fest, to be held later this year, will demonstrate 10GBASE-LRM interfaces interoperating with different EDC ICs, ensuring compliance with IEEE 802.3aq-2006.

Ethernet Alliance, www.ethernetalliance.org.