Qualcomm Atheros introduced a low power 1 Gbps Ethernet passive optical networking (EPON) chip.
The QCA8829 offers power consumption of less than 200mW for grid applications with Gigabit Ethernet (GE) PHY sleep mode enabled and less than 600mW when running full 1 Gbps throughput with GE PHY enabled. The 76-pin package size fits into a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) optical module, simplifying system design for plug-and-play connection with an Ethernet switch or IP router.
It supports multiple standards, such as those used by cable operators in North America, provisioning for smart grid applications over PON in China, and EPON infrastructures in markets worldwide. Specifically, this support includes the North American DOCSIS Provisioning of Ethernet (DPoE) 1.0 specification, IEEE 802.3ah EPON specification, the China State Grid EPON specification, and the China Telecom (CTC) EPON specification.
Samples of the QCA8829 and reference design kits are available now. Volume shipments will be available in the fourth quarter of 2011. http://www.qca.qualcomm.com
- In July 2010, Atheros acquired Opulan Technologies, a privately held Chinese fabless semiconductor company specializing in solutions for passive optical networking (PON) and broadband access aggregation (MUX).
