Allayer Announces First Fast Ethernet Twisted-pair to Fiber Converter IC.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 7, 1999--

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--   Replaces Five Devices to Convert Twisted-pair to Fiber
--   Lowers Cost of Fiber Optic Connections to PCs and Workstations
--   Supports Redundant Fiber Links for Fault-Tolerant Networks

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Allayer Technologies Corp. announces a single-chip transceiver that converts twisted-pair Fast Ethernet (100Base-TX) signals into fiber-optic Fast Ethernet (100Base-FX). The AL210 supports redundant fiber links for fault-tolerant connections and conforms to the IEEE802.3 Ethernet standard.

It replaces five chips and enables the design of low-cost converter modules that economically connect PCs and workstations to fiber optic networks. Modules are used between switches and routers to convert twisted-pair links into longer (by twenty times) and more reliable fiber connections or to design new network interface cards (NICs) that support both fiber-optic and twisted pair Fast Ethernet links. According to David Wong, Marketing Director, "There are millions of networked personal computers and workstations using twisted pair Fast Ethernet connections that can be upgraded to fiber optics."

Key elements include a channel that receives twisted pair Fast Ethernet signals and performs clock recovery, a descrambler that forwards data to the LED driver, a quantizer that decodes fiber waveforms, a clock recovery circuit, and an elastic store that formats data for transmission over the Fast Ethernet transmitter. The AL210 provides fault tolerant features that improve network reliability and supports both 850 nm and 1300 nm fiber modules.

The AL210 is in production and is priced at $11.50 in a 48-pin PQFP (Plastic Quad Flat Pak) in quantities of 1,000.

Company Background

Allayer produces advanced ICs that increase bandwidth in Internet networks. Allayer ICs make switches smarter and links faster. The corporate name -- pronounced "All-layer" -- represents the intention to provide silicon solutions for all layers of the OSI network model. Founded in 1997, Allayer uses a Modular Systems Standard Product or MSSP approach to design the highest performance and most scalable ICs for Ethernet LAN switching and fiber optics. They are used by systems OEMs to create network equipment for the edge network and the enterprise network backbone.

Note to Editors: RoX(TM) is a trademark of Allayer Technologies Corp.