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Low power equaliser, driver and retimer simplifies 10G SFP+ system design

The PHY1066 equaliser, driver and retimer IC from Phyworks enables host board designers to create 10Gbps Ethernet SFP+ receive and transmit interfaces for ‘direct attach’ passive twin-ax copper cables and 10GBASE-SR optical modules. Its small size, low power and minimal external component count also make it suitable for use in active copper cable assemblies.

Manufactured on a digital CMOS process, this highly integrated IC dissipates just 0.68W, less than 50% that of alternatives based on other semiconductor processes. The PHY1066’s low power performance allied with its small footprint, flip-chip 36-pin BGA package means easier host board upgrades to higher port densities.

With its unique combination of programmable pre-emphasis, FFE/DFE equalisation algorithms and integrated re-timer, the IC assures clean data delivery irrespective of cable thickness, reach and interference conditions. In trials, the PHY1066 has proven in 10Gbps Ethernet host interfaces to be capable of driving up to 15m of ‘direct attach’ passive SFP+ copper cable.

Phyworks’ integration of robust and simple-to-use hardware algorithms removes the need for an external high-performance microcontroller and extensive firmware code development, saving on both system BOM cost and time-to-market. The PHY1066’s Loss of Signal and Loss of Lock alarms will enhance system monitoring, fed to a host controller by the driver’s selectable 2-wire or SPI interface. The IC’s PRBS and BERT functions can also be easily integrated as a part of link set-up and test procedures.

The PHY1066 is supported by a reference host design for evaluation purposes and is sampling now. Pricing is less than $10USD in volume.