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TRADE NEWS: Agilent Technologies Ships 4 Gb/S Fiber Optic Transceivers for Next-Generation Fibre Channel Storage Networks

Posted on: Wednesday, 19 January 2005, 03:00 CST

Multimode Transceivers Support Fibre Channel Applications at 1-, 2-, and 4-Gb/s Data Rates

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today announced it is shipping multimode fiber optic transceivers targeted at 4 Gb/s Fibre Channel applications such as Fibre Channel switches, disk arrays and host bus adapters. The small-form factor (SFF) and small-form factor pluggable (SFP) devices support next-generation storage networks based on the new 4 Gb/s standard. The fiber optic transceivers are on display at Agilent booth 53-38 through Jan. 21.

Agilent is the world leader in fiber optic transceivers, and is a leading provider of 2 Gb/s transceivers for Fibre Channel networks. The higher-speed 4 Gb/s SFF and SFP devices incorporate Agilent's internally developed ICs and VCSEL (vertical cavity surface emitting laser) technology. They round out Agilent's unmatched storage network product portfolio at 4 Gb/s, covering fiber optics, system test, protocol IC and software.

"With volume shipments of our 4 Gb optical transceivers under way, Agilent is facilitating the market's transition from 2 Gb/s to 4 Gb/s Fibre Channel," said Tom Fawcett, director of marketing for the Fiber Optic Products Division in Agilent's Semiconductor Products Group. "These new multimode fiber optic transceivers offer outstanding performance and are supported by Agilent's well-known quality and assurance of high-volume supply."

Both the Agilent AFBR-59R5AL in the 2 x 7 SFF package and AFBR-57R5AP in the SFP package are compliant with ANSI (American National Standards Institute) FC-PI and FC-PI-2 physical layer standards and support Fibre Channel applications at 1-, 2- and 4-Gb/s data rates. Their SFF and excellent EMI (electromagnetic interference) performance enable high-density configurations. Both feature integrated diagnostic monitoring interface (DMI) capabilities per the SFF-8472 multi-source agreement (MSA), which allows users to monitor link quality during operation using the standard I2C interface. DMI provides users with diagnostic information on optical power, bias current, temperature and supply voltage.

The AFBR-57R5AP SFP transceiver features an extended operating temperature range of -10 C to +85 C, which allows customers to use the transceiver in extended temperature environments and high-density applications without the need for additional environmental control technology.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

Both the Agilent multimode AFBR-59R5AL in the SFF package and AFBR-57R5AP in the SFP package are available now in production quantities through Agilent's direct sales channel and its worldwide distribution partners. Pricing is available on request.

Agilent expects to offer production quantities of single-mode 4 Gb/s SFF and SFP fiber optic transceivers later in 2005.

Agilent 4 Gb Fibre Channel Solutions

Agilent is a leading supplier of 4 Gb/s Fibre Channel component, board and test solutions. No other vendor offers protocol, physical layer and fiber optic components combined with leading-edge signal and protocol testing. More than half of all storage-networked arrays use Agilent components. More information is available at www.agilent.com/view/storage.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 28,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $7.2 billion in fiscal year 2004. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Please direct reader inquiries to Agilent Semiconductor Products Group at +1 800 235 0312, or e-mail us at semiconductorsupport@agilent.com. Further technology, corporate citizenship and executive news is available on the Agilent news site at www.agilent.com/go/news.

Source: Business Wire

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