Evaluation platform enables next-gen SONET/SDH protocols

PMC-Sierra Inc. introduced its 10/100M Ethernet-over-SONET/SDH evaluation platform which enables industry-wide multi-vendor interoperability for next-generation SONET/SDH protocols such as low and high order virtual concatenation (VCAT), Generic Framing Procedure (GFP) and link adjustment capacity scheme (LCAS).

The new Ethernet-over-SONET/SDH evaluation platforms are available in a 24 port 10/100M into OC-48/STM-16 or an 8 port 10/100M into OC-12/STM-4 configuration. According to the company, system vendors leveraging their evaluation platform will experience increased reliability and time-to-market advantages.

"PMC-Sierra currently has a large number of Ethernet-over-SONET/SDH evaluation cards deployed world-wide so our partners can engage with their customers in proving their system capabilities," said Babak Samimi, Product Marketing Manager for PMC-Sierra's Communication Products Division.

The stand-alone sub-system solution includes an evaluation board, board schematics and a configuration guide. It integrates the PM5329 ARROW 24xFE, a 24 port 10/100 Ethernet-over-SONET/SDH mapper into OC-48/STM-16; the PM5360 S/UNI MULTI 48, a multi-rate OC-48/STM-16 SONET/SDH framer; the PM5333 ARROW 8xFE, an 8 port 10/100 Ethernet-over-SONET/SDH mapper into OC-12/STM-4; and the PM5354 S/UNI MULTI 2x12, a multi-rate SONET/SDH framer for OC-12/STM-4.

The ARROW 8xFE and ARROW 24xFE products are 622Mbps and 2.5Gbps capacity devices supporting both low order (VT1.5/VC-12) and high order (STS-1/VC-3, STS-3c/VC-4) Virtual Concatenation with hitless bandwidth adjustments using fully integrated LCAS processing. Fine granularity bandwidth tuning with low order Virtual Concatenation (1.6Mbps VT1.5 / 2Mbps VC-12) enables delivery of customer tailored 10/100 Ethernet services while maintaining network efficiency. For network efficient 1,000Mbps Ethernet services, the ARROW 2xGE device enables Gigabit Ethernet users to benefit from high order Virtual Concatenation and provide transport services from 50Mbps all the way up to a full 1Gbps with 50Mbps (STS-1/VC-3) increments.

The Ethernet-over-SONET/SDH evaluation platform is available upon request. A comprehensive support package, including an evaluation kit board layout and design documentation as well as application notes, is available.