Mountain View, CA — February 25, 2008 — The Ethernet Alliance today announced the formation of the Small Form Factor Pluggable Module/Electronic Dispersion Compensation (SFP+/EDC) subcommittee, formerly known as the 10GBASE-LRM subcommittee.

The mission of the SFP+/EDC subcommittee is to promote 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) by providing information and education on the new SFP+ form factor and associated EDC host ICs, and to demonstrate interoperability and technical feasibility of SFP+ through plug-fests and other activities.

SFP+ modules are hot pluggable, small-footprint optical transceivers designed to support 10GbE data communication applications. The 10GbE SFP+ optical transceivers include the short wavelength multimode fiber transceiver (10GBASE-SR), the long wavelength single-mode fiber transceiver (10GBASE-LR), and the long wavelength multimode fiber transceiver (10GBASE-LRM). Direct-attach SFP+ copper cables are also being developed for shorter connections.  Emerging SFP+ interfaces offer a low-cost, high-density solution alternative for system providers and customers implementing 10GbE in datacenters and corporate networks.

EDC is a key enabling physical-layer technology for high-speed communications that compensates for optical and electrical signal impairments.  The host ICs designed for 10GbE SFP+ incorporate EDC technology compliant with IEEE 802.3™ 10GbE optical interface specifications to allow flexibility in host board and connector design.

The SFP+/EDC subcommittee plans to host two plug-fests in 2008. The first plug-fest will be held March 31 – April 4 at the University of New Hampshire Interoperability Lab (UNH-IOL). Ethernet Alliance members will demonstrate technology readiness by presenting several 10GBASE-SR and 10GBASE-LR SFP+ optical modules interoperating with different EDC ICs in a host reference configuration, ensuring IEEE Std. 802.3ae™-2002 compliance. The second plug-fest, to be held later this year, will demonstrate 10GBASE-LRM interfaces interoperating with different EDC ICs, ensuring compliance with IEEE Std. 802.3aq™-2006.
    
If you are interested in joining the SFP+/EDC subcommittee or would like additional information, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .


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The Ethernet Alliance is dedicated to promoting industry awareness, acceptance, and advancement of technology and products based on existing and emerging IEEE 802® Ethernet standards. The organization’s mission is to accelerate industry adoption and remove barriers to market entry by providing a cohesive, market-responsive industry voice on IEEE 802 Ethernet projects. For more information about the Ethernet Alliance, visit www.ethernetalliance.org.

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