W. L. Gore & Associates and Alvesta have announced their decision to cross-license 4-channel parallel optic transceivers as defined by the QuadLink MSA, a multi-source agreement defining small footprint 4-channel optical transceivers.

QuadLink is the first parallel optics MSA optimized for 10-gigabit operation across multiple industry standards, including Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) for SONET/SDH, InfiniBand, and 10Gb fibre channel. It is based on an innovative four-channel, full-duplex optical transceiver architecture that operates over a single ribbon fiber cable.

The two companies have entered into a technology license agreement that enables both companies to manufacture fully compatible 10-gigabit optical transceivers based on the same underlying optical, electrical, and mechanical design.

A common design heritage provides true second sourcing and ensures the highest degree of plug compatibility and interoperability with other components within customer systems.

Industry standards supported by the QuadLink MSA include OIF-VSR4-03.0 for OC-192 VSR links, IB-4X-SX for InfiniBand architecture quad optical links, and 1200-M5-SN4P-1 for 10-Gigabit Fibre Channel VSR optics.

QuadLink also will support the emerging OIF SFI-4 Phase 2 four-lane interface standard for SONET/SDH OC-192 framers.

The QuadLink MSA leverages the broad availability of electronic components optimized for four-channel operation.

Specifically, the MSA is compatible with SERDES and integrated switch silicon from a number of leading semiconductor manufacturers.

Compatible products include quad and octal SONET/SDH SERDES and integrated switches supporting 4 × 2.488 Gb/s data transfer, quad InfiniBand SERDES and 4x integrated switches operating at 4 × 2.5 Gb/s, and four-channel XAUI SERDES for 10-gigabit Ethernet or 10-gigabit fibre channel applications operating at 4 × 3.125 or 4 × 3.1875 Gb/s respectively.

The MSA footprint of 550 mm² is compact for 10-Gbps serial or parallel optics, taking 30 percent less board space than the next smallest solution.

A unique field replaceable electrical connector avoids manufacturing issues associated with solderable optic modules, and a standardized management interface is also provided.