Simplification of synchronous Ethernet designs for packet-switched networks

Microsemi and Marvell have announced a joint reference design for use in G.8262-compliant Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE) applications. The solution was designed, built and tested using Microsemi’s ZL3015x family of SyncE network synchronizer chips along with Marvell’s Alaska 10G/40G Ethernet transceivers. Communications networks are rapidly transitioning to a packet infrastructure to support ever-increasing bandwidth demands. This transition is enabled with the implementation of packet network synchronization technologies meeting stringent synchronization requirements defined by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Microsemi is a worldwide leader in packet network synchronization with the industry’s widest portfolio of IEEE-1588 and SyncE synchronization solutions. IEEE-1588 provides frequency, phase and time synchronization over Ethernet networks while SyncE provides frequency synchronization over Ethernet networks. The fully-tested G.8262-compliant solution uses Microsemi’s industry-leading synchronization capability in the ZL3015x-based device in combination with Marvell 88X2242M and 88X2242P quad-port multi-speed Ethernet transceivers. The Microsemi and Marvell collaboration provides a proven solution to system architects, enhancing the overall system performance and brings significant savings on design, development and time-to-market. Microsemi continues its leadership in network synchronization by developing collaborative efforts with companies such as Marvell to provide the most advanced and comprehensive solutions to its customers. “As carriers continue to expand their packet switched networks to accommodate the increased demand for mobile video and data traffic, the synchronization needs of the 4G/LTE systems are driving demand for SyncE deployments in service providers’ infrastructure equipment,” said Maamoun Seido, vice president and business unit manager of Microsemi's timing products. “The synchronization functionality needed for SyncE is available with the ZL30154 SyncE network synchronization DPLL coupled with the Marvell integrated quad/dual-port multi-speed Ethernet transceivers (88X2242M/P), providing a complete and standard-compliant solution.” According to Transparency Marketing Research, Inc., the global LTE market is expected to reach a value of $610.71 billion by 2019. Increased need for higher data rates and greater spectral efficiency driven by increased data usage, rapid deployments of smart devices and the need for high quality of services on the move are driving the growth of LTE market globally. “The latest Alaska X PHY series of devices underscores Marvell’s continued leadership in bringing world-class connectivity solutions to market by offering increased flexibility, robust performance and value-added features such as MACsec and one-step PTP for enterprise, datacenter and infrastructure applications,” said Michael Zimmerman, vice president and general manager, Connectivity, Servers, Infrastructure Business Unit (CSIBU) at Marvell Semiconductor, Inc. “Microsemi’s advanced solutions in packet network synchronization together with Marvell’s leading-edge PHY technologies provide a reference design with high performance, strong security capabilities and reliability features which are critical requirements in next-generation networking systems .” There are two versions of the ZL3015x family of circuits that can be populated on the board—the ZL30154 or the ZL30150. The ZL30154 is a highly integrated device that provides all of the functionality required for a central timing card in carrier grade network equipment. The ZL30154 efficiently handles all synchronization, wander and jitter filtering and clock rate translations required for a synchronous 10GBASE-W/10GBASE-R system. ZL30150 is a dual-channel clock translator with two programmable numerically controlled oscillators (NCOs), and provides all the features required to implement the timing on a 10GBASE-R or 10GBASE-W line card. The Marvell Alaska X 88X2242M/P transceiver family is a fully integrated single-chip solution with Electronic Dispersion Compensation (EDC) capability, to enable end-to-end data transmission over fiber-optic networks as well as Twinax copper links. These are quad port devices performing all physical layer functions associated with 10GBASE-R, 10GBase-W and 1000BASE-X. The devices support XFI, RXAUI and XAUI host interfaces. The devices also support features required for IEEE 802.1ae MACsec protocol and 1-step and 2-step time stamping capabilities defined by IEEE 1588 Precision Timing Protocol (on 88X2242P). In addition, the X2242M can be used as a single port 40G device capable of driving 40G optical modules as well as 40G-CR4 cables. Marvell’s product portfolio also includes the 88X2222M/P family, which offers dual port variants of these transceivers, says the company. Microsemi is a leading provider of semiconductor solutions differentiated by power, security, reliability and performance. Marvell is a worldwide leader in providing complete silicon solutions from mobile communications to storage, Internet of Things (IoT), cloud infrastructure, digital entertainment, in-home content delivery and Kinoma software enabling the “Smart Life and Smart Lifestyle".