Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation introduced the FiberStream Forward Error Correction (FEC) chipset for OC-48/STM-16 SONET/SDH applications. This chipset dramatically reduces the cost and improves the performance of Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) and other optical communication equipment. The cornerstone of this chipset, the VSC9210, is the industry's first commercially available forward error correction device for 2.5Gb/s telecom systems.

Vitesse is also introducing the physical layer components, the VSC8169 16:1 multiplexer with clock generator and the VSC8122F multi-rate clock and data recovery unit (CRU). Each device functions at both 2.5Gb/s and the higher frequencies associated with FEC operation. Together, these ICs provide a complete solution for delivering dramatic bit-error-rate (BER) improvement in STS-48/STM-16 SONET/SDH transmission systems.

The VSC9210 is the first commercially available product that offers SONET/SDH transmission equipment manufacturers a straightforward method of improving the optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) of their optical communication links. Improved OSNR permits WDM equipment vendors to immediately increase the number of transmitted channels and to transmit a further distance than previously allowed. The VSC9210 allows a link with a BER of 10^(-5) to operate at 10^(-20) by correcting transmission errors using a Reed Solomon (255,241) error correction code, typically resulting in a 5dB increase in OSNR.

"The VSC9210 provides the means for optical communications equipment manufacturers to incorporate FEC into their systems using a proven and readily available product. The FiberStream chipset is a complete end-to-end solution for providing FEC and SONET/SDH section termination," stated Andrew Schmitt, marketing manager for optical networking products. "The VSC9210 provides the benefits of FEC in an optical communication link, while eliminating the time and risks associated with a custom ASIC development. Several customers have already evaluated the VSC9210 in their systems, and found that it meets their expectations for out-of-band FEC," continued Schmitt.

This forward-error correction IC is very much an enabling part. For WDM systems at either 2.488 or 2.66 GHz it will allow the operator to almost double the number of channels in use; for new installations there is a choice of more channels over a given distance or a fairly dramatic increase in the signal path between stations. With no customization necessary for the designer, this chipset, based around the FEC part, will be a sound player for at least 18 months and will be widely implemented. The chipset operates on a single 3.3-V supply.