Telecom Lead Asia: Broadcom Corporation has launched two
10GBASE-T physical layer transceivers (PHYs).
The BCM84844 and BCM84846 are now sampling with
production volume slated for 2H12.
Adding to its growing portfolio of 10GBASE-T networking
solutions, the integrated quad-port BCM84844 and dual-port BCM84846 lower
operating power by more than 50 percent.
Optimized for top-of-rack switches, 10GbE server adapters
and LOMs (LAN on motherboard) in the data center, the new PHYs substantially
reduce power consumption at 10GE to less than two watts per port through the
use of EEE.
Broadcom claims that it extends the benefits of EEE to
include all device speeds including 1GbE.
As a result of increasing network traffic and higher bandwidth
servers such as Romley, industry analysts predict a 20x increase in 10GBASE-T
adoption by 2013, as data centers upgrade to higher densities.
Broadcom’s second generation 40 nanometer (nm) PHYs drive
innovation in 10GbE, offering robust operation over 100 meter cables while
significantly reducing footprint, cost and power consumption.
Power is critical as network managers seek to reduce cost
and carbon footprint of large scale data centers. Broadcom’s AutoGrEEEn
technology enables systems with legacy MACs to get the power savings of EEE in
periods of reduced link utilization. Both PHYs provide on-chip IEEE802.1ae
MACsec link layer security and 1588v2 precision time protocol (PTP), delivering
precise and accurate synchronization of nodes in the network.
Broadcom claims that its new BCM84844 and BCM84846
deliver lower power while offering pin compatibility to previous Broadcom
devices (BCM84834 and BCM84836) and integration with Broadcom’s broad portfolio
of switch, controller, and adapter solutions. This includes PHY drivers
within Broadcom’s Software Development Kit (SDK) and common implementations of
MACsec and 1588v2 PTP.
“Demand for high-density switches and servers with
10GBASE-T connectivity is growing and our latest PHYs extend the industry-leading
features our customers have come to expect from Broadcom. We continue to push
the envelope in delivering the industry’s most advanced products while driving
down cost, footprint and power consumption. Lowering device power to less than
two watts per port is an important step forward in the adoption of
10GBASE-T,” said Kevin Brown, Broadcom’s Vice President and General
Manager, PHY.
