Accelerant Networks Raises the Bar by Announcing the Industry's First 5-Port 6.25 Gb/s Backplane Communication Transceiver.

Business Editors/Technology Writers

BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 2002

Now sampling -- A proven breakthrough in speed and

level of integration Enables high performance networking systems

Accelerant Networks Inc., the leading developer of intelligent high-speed backplane communication transceivers, today announced the AN5500 backplane communications transceiver, the first chip to integrate 5 ports of up to 6.25 Gb/s full-duplex transceivers operating over 48" of FR4 and connectors.

Proven and tested in production environments, including over 30 existing and new backplanes, the AN5500's unprecedented combination of per-channel adaptive equalization and multi-level signaling have set a new standard as the essential building blocks for 6.25 Gb/s backplane transceivers. The AN5500 is currently being sampled by a number of the leading networking and storage equipment companies and will be in full production in Q3, 2002.

"With Accelerant's advanced backplane communication technology, we have created a critical solution for the development of high-performance communication equipment," said Paul Nahi, President and CEO of Accelerant Networks. "Delivering twice the bandwidth of 3.125 Gb/s XAUI SERDES, the AN5500 is well positioned to become a de facto standard for the development of next generation backplanes at the heart of tomorrow's networks."

"Speed is the natural evolution of all networking technologies. In the backplane, serialized links are vital due to the practical challenge of connecting dozens of line cards with several switching cards. However, serializing the flow of data has historically been in direct opposition to the evolutionary trend toward higher speeds," said Eric Mantion, Senior Analyst for In-Stat/MDR. "Now, Accelerant has refined the technology that allows both needs -- speed and serialization -- to work together for the next generation of networking equipment, while still maintaining backwards compatibility with all existing manufacturing techniques.

"This last part is exceptionally important in today's very cost conscious market place."

MULTI-CHANNEL ADAPTIVE EQUALIZATION

The key to the AN5500's optimal performance on every backplane is the ability to provide, for the first time, continuously adaptive equalization on each channel. The AN5500 characterizes each channel, adjusts the amplitude, and continuously adjusts the equalization based on the unique environmental conditions during the operation of each channel. By doing so, the AN5500 is able to achieve from 3.125 up to 6.25 Gb/s per channel under varying conditions. Unique trunking features of the AN5500 provide seamless aggregation of the total bandwidth with no external logic required. Furthermore, multiple AN5500 devices can be locked to deliver payloads in excess of 240 Gb/s in each direction. Having proven the robust multi-channel capabilities of WILDPHYR(TM) backplane communication technology, Accelerant is working with strategic partners to integrate higher port-count application specific solutions.

FASTER TIME TO MARKET

In today's networking systems, designers incorporate hundreds of high-speed transceivers to reach the target aggregate bandwidth. Eliminating the need to spend engineering time to manually tweak the characteristics of each and every transceiver on the backplane saves a significant amount of time in the development and manufacturing phase. The AN5500 incorporates per-channel adaptive equalization that automatically configures itself from among 16 million possible equalizer settings to achieve optimal performance for each link independently. The AN5500 incorporates a pseudo-random bit sequence (PRBS) generator and detector. In combination with near-end and far-end loopback modes, this feature enables the user to test channels during development and debug, as well as the production phase. The need for external equipment to test signal integrity is eliminated.

CRITICAL INSIGHT INTO THE COMPLEX BACKPLANE

Unique to Accelerant's WILDPHYR(TM) technology is the ability to provide insight into the inner workings of the backplane during the development process. The AN5500 comes with an easy to use GUI that interfaces with the automatic channel characterization hardware built into the chip and provides a virtual window into the channel. The software enables backplane optimization and characterization during the debug and manufacturing processes and speeds the test and evaluation of complex designs. Never before has the developer been offered this level of access to channel information at such a critical phase.

EXTENDING THE PRODUCT LINE

The AN5500 extends Accelerant's backplane communications transceiver product line, launched in July, with sampling of the AN5000. The AN5500 offers customers a higher density solution for switch cards or systems demanding higher aggregate bandwidth with high-speed connections to ASIC devices, using LVDS I/O operating at 311 to 625 MHz DDR.

PRICING & AVAILABILITY

The AN5500 5 x 6.25 Gb/s backplane communications transceiver is sampling now. It is available in a 23 mm x 23 mm 484-ball grid array (BGA). Volume pricing is $220 per unit for orders of 1,000. A comprehensive evaluation and design package, including evaluation boards, software, models, and application notes are available today.

ABOUT ACCELERANT NETWORKS

Accelerant Networks, the leading developer of intelligent, high-speed backplane communication transceivers, develops communication ICs that deliver extensible, high-bandwidth networking system connectivity solutions. The company is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with sales and application offices in Silicon Valley and Boston as well as a nationwide network of sales representatives. For more information, contact Kelli Caldwell at 503/439-3450, or visit http://www.accelerant.net/products/an5500.htm.