Agere Systems Adds Clocked Laser Driver, 12.5 Gigabit-per-second Mux/Demux Chips to Line of High-speed Optical Networking Solutions.

Business & Technology Editors

ALLENTOWN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 4, 2001

Reduced signal jitter, forward error correction support can boost performance of SONET OC-192, SDH STM-64, 10 Gigabit Ethernet networks

Agere Systems (NYSE: AGR.A), the world leader in communications semiconductors, today announced enhanced versions of three high-speed, low-noise integrated circuits (ICs) for 10 gigabit-per-second (Gbit/s) optical networking systems, including SONET OC-192, SDH STM-64 and 10 Gigabit Ethernet applications.

The capabilities offered by these chips enable data to travel longer distances over optical fibers, which in-turn can result in more economical network operation and can further the deployment of optical technology in metropolitan area networks.

The new chips are a clocked laser driver that reduces signal jitter and can be optimized for various types of optical fibers, and a clock synthesizer/data multiplexer and corresponding clock recovery/data demultiplexer that support data rates up to 12.5 gigabits-per-second to accommodate new forward error correction (FEC) techniques. Agere Systems is exhibiting these chips at the Supercomm 2001 conference and exhibition this week in Atlanta, Ga.

"Our latest devices add versatility to the line of 10 gigabit-per-second high-speed integrated circuits we introduced last September, helping optical networking system designers implement new capabilities and pursue new markets," said Ray Aubert, senior marketing manager for high-speed physical layer devices at Agere Systems. "This family of high-speed ICs joins Agere's lineup of optoelectronic components, networking ICs and intellectual property, along with integrated optoelectronic and IC subsystems, to form a comprehensive set of component solutions for high-bandwidth, high-performance networking."

10 Gbit/s Clocked Laser Driver (TCLD0110G)

The Agere TCLD0110G clocked laser driver is used in optical transmitters or transponders to drive direct-modulated lasers at speeds up to 10.7 Gbits/s. It supports data rates of 9.95328 Gbits/s for OC-192/STM-64, 10.3125 Gbits/s for serial 10 Gigabit Ethernet, 10.6642 Gbits/s for OC-192/STM-64 with FEC, and 10.7092 Gbits/s for ITU OC-192/STM-64 FEC. The device offers sharp rise and fall times of 22 picoseconds (ps) typical, and it accepts a 10 Gbit/s input reference clock (such as that supplied by the Agere TTRN0110G, a 16-to-1 multiplexer) to reduce jitter to appropriate levels as low as 2.2 ps root-mean-square (rms). Reduced jitter permits longer transmission distances before data and clock recovery are required. The device has an active back termination feature that reduces power dissipation. It also allows for user adjustment of the data eye-crossing from 20 percent to 80 percent, permitting the device to tailor the shape of laser pulses to the characteristics of the optical fiber, resulting in less distortion of the optical signal and lower bit-error rates.

The TCLD0110G is a clocked version of Agere's TLAD0110G unclocked laser driver. The TCLD0110G also supports unclocked applications similar to the TLAD0110G. It is implemented in three-level metal quarter-micron pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (PHEMT) gallium arsenide (GaAs) technology. The device is available in die or packaged form. The die can be placed close to the laser for short interconnect paths and small form factors.

The device, available in die form now, is shipped in waffle packs or as scribed wafers. Packaged parts are slated for availability in July. Unit pricing in die form is US$110 in quantities of 50,000. Unit pricing for packaged devices (also in quantities of 50,000) is targeted for US$140.

10/12.25 Gbit/s Clock Synthesizer and 16:1 Data Multiplexer (TTRN0112G), 10/12.25 Gbit/s Clock Recovery and 1:16 Data Demultiplexer (TRCV0112G)

The Agere TTRN0112G multiplexes 16 parallel 622.08 megabit-per-second (Mbit/s) low-voltage differential swing (LVDS) data inputs into one 10 or 12.5 Gbit/s signal and performs clock synthesis to provide a low jitter signal to a laser driver. The device operates in two bit-rate ranges: 9.953 Gbits/s through 10.7 Gbits/s for OC-192/STM-64, OC-192/STM-64 FEC and 10 Gigabit Ethernet rates; and 12 Gbits/s through 12.5 Gbits/s for OC-192 super FEC rates.

The device offers additional features such as a high-speed clock output and adjustable output amplitude to enable higher performance systems. It succeeds the TTRN0110G, which operated in the 10 Gbit/s range only, and is pin-compatible with the earlier device. The TTRN0112G device operates at 1.35 watts (1.65 watts when the 10/12G clock output is active) and offers world class jitter generation of less than 5 milli-unit-intervals (mUI) rms and 0.05 UI peak-to-peak (p-p).

The Agere TRCV0112G integrates a limiting amplifier, clock and data recovery, and a 1:16 data demultiplexer. The device operates at the same bit-rates as the TTRN0112G. It is used to recover the clock and data for the incoming signal from an optical receiver and to demultiplex the data to parallel, lower-speed signals that are fed to data processing ICs. It succeeds the TRCV0110G, which operated in the 10 Gbit/s range only, and is pin-compatible with the earlier device. The TRCV0112G operates at 2.1 watts.

For super FEC applications, both the TTRN0112G and TRCV0112G ICs interface directly to Agere's ORLI10G Line Interface field-programmable system chip (FPSC). The ORLI10G includes an XSBI 12.5 Gbit/s transmit and 12.5 Gbit/s receive line interface along with 400K field-programmable gates. Both transmit and receive interfaces consist of 16-bit LVDS data up to 781 Mbits/s, integrated transmit and receive programmable PLLs for data rate conversions between the line-side and system-side data rates, and a programmable logic interface at the system end for use with SONET/SDH, Ethernet, or OTN/digital wrapper with super FEC system device data standards. The ORLI10G is available now in a 680-pin PBGAM.

Like their predecessors, the TTRN0112G and TRCV0112G ICs are implemented in Agere's silicon germanium (SiGe) technology, a process module in the company's COM1 modular complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication process. The technology enables high levels of integration with high-speed, low-noise performance.

Samples of the devices are available now, with production quantities slated for availability in the third calendar quarter. Unit pricing in quantities of 50,000 for the TTRN0112G is US$185 and for the TRCV0112G is US$271.

The TTRN0112G and TRCV0112G devices round out a 12.5 Gbit/s Agere physical layer offering that includes the TTIA0110G Transimpedance Amplifier, the TLMA0110G Limiting Amplifier and the TMOD0110G Modulator Driver. Complementing these devices is the Agere 2623CS external laser modulator based on lithium niobate technology and optimized for 12.5 Gbit/s operation.

More information about the new products can be found on the Web at http://www.agere.com or through Agere's regional sales offices. Customers in the USA may also call the Agere Systems Customer Response Center at 1-800-372-2447 and ask for Dept. N89. Customers in Canada may call 1-800-553-2448 and ask for Dept. N89. Customers outside those countries may call [phone]. Fax inquiries may be directed to [phone], or email queries to [e-mail]. Written inquires should be sent to Agere Systems, Room 30L-15P-BA, 555 Union Boulevard, Allentown, Pa. 18109, USA.

Agere Systems Inc., formerly the Microelectronics Group of Lucent Technologies, is the world leader in semiconductors for communications applications. Lucent has announced it intends to spin off Agere Systems as an independent company. Agere Systems offers integrated optoelectronics and integrated circuits solutions to help customers reduce the time and expense of developing new communications equipment. It also provides wireless computer networking solutions through its ORiNOCO product line. More information about Agere Systems is available from its Web site at http://www.agere.com.

Photos available:

Die photo of Agere Systems TCLD0110G 10 Gbit/s clocked laser driver

12.5 Gbit/s differential pseudo random data eye from Agere Systems TTRN0112G 10/12.25 Gbit/s clock synthesizer and 16:1 data multiplexer

This release contains forward-looking statements based on information available to Agere as of the date hereof. Agere's actual results could differ materially from those results stated or implied by such forward-looking statements due to a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, completion of the distribution of Agere stock by Lucent Technologies Inc., price and product competition, keeping pace with technological change, dependence on new product development, reliance on major customers and suppliers, customer demand for our products and services, availability of manufacturing capacity, components and materials, control of costs and expenses, general industry and market conditions and growth rates and general domestic and international economic conditions including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations. For a further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see the prospectus filed by Agere with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2001. Agere disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.