Vitesse EDC Technology Accelerates SFP+ Module System Integration

Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation (Pink Sheets:VTSS) today announced the availability of a new evaluation platform that combines Vitesse’s widely-adopted, best-in-class electronic dispersion compensation (EDC) integrated circuit technology together with the SFP+ optical transceiver module form factor. This platform offers a timely proof-of-concept solution for both module and system providers to help eliminate technical hurdles surrounding deployment of SFP+ modules in 10G Ethernet routers and switches. 10G Ethernet optical port count shipments should approach nine million units in 2009 (Dell’Oro Group, July 2006), with SFP+ modules expected to be a substantial and rapidly-growing portion of these shipments. To help speed this deployment, the Vitesse SFP+ Proof of Concept (POC) platform proves specification compliance by overcoming worst case channel conditions in this difficult environment while simultaneously meeting the 10GBASE-LRM, 220m optical reach specification. The SFP+ POC platform incorporates FR4 dieletric and stripline copper trace runs of 2-, 4- and 8-inches to represent real-world channel loss conditions where advanced receiver and transmitter technology is required. Using its production-released VSC8238 EDC integrated circuit with multi-tap DFE and FFE adaptive filtering for the Rx path and its highly-flexible VSC8239 CDR with programmable output pre-emphasis, slew rate, and amplitude for the Tx path, Vitesse delivers a unique solution that exceeds the requirements of SFP+. "Vitesse EDC technology has provided the performance margin needed to successfully interoperate with our SFP+ module product over real-world system conditions,” said Eugene Park, senior product line manager for 10G datacom products at Finisar. "We are pleased to be working together with companies such as Vitesse as we drive the transition of the SFP+ module format to production.” Test results with the Vitesse SFP+ POC platform and SFP+ modules from multiple leading module vendors are impressive in both the Tx and Rx directions. On the Rx path, at least 3 dB of margin to IEEE802.2aq LRM standards is present over worst case channel length conditions. In addition, 10GBASE-SR SFP+ modules tested under the same conditions show no measurable degradation in SR link performance. Similarly, the presence of pre-emphasis on the Tx path compensates for trace and connector losses as well as TOSA impairments within the module, achieving up to 30 percent eye mask margin with total jitter minimized by nearly 50 percent. "The Vitesse SFP+ POC platform is clearly demonstrating to the industry that the SFP+ standard, including 10GBASE-LRM, is a viable solution for high density system applications,” said Gary Paules, product marketing manager at Vitesse. "The platform combines the strength of our best-in-class VSC8238 EDC together with SFP+ modules from leading vendors to tackle worst case channel conditions with ease.” Vitesse will be demonstrating the new SFP+ POC platform at OFCNFOEC 2007 in Anaheim, Calif., March 27-29, 2007. For more information online, view the Vitesse SFP+ Technology Center at www.vitesse.com/sfpplus. About Vitesse Vitesse designs, develops and markets a diverse portfolio of high-performance, cost-competitive semiconductor solutions for communications and storage networks worldwide. Engineering excellence and dedicated customer service distinguish Vitesse as an industry leader in Gigabit Ethernet LAN, Ethernet-over-SONET, Fibre Channel, Serial Attached SCSI, Optical Transport, and other applications. Vitesse innovation empowers customers to deliver superior products for Enterprise, Access, Metro, and Core applications. Additional company and product information is available at www.vitesse.com. Note to editors: Photos, product briefs and additional information about SFP+ solutions from Vitesse are available at: www.vitesse.com/sfpplus. Vitesse is a registered trademark in the United States and/or other jurisdictions of Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation. All other trademarks or registered trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective holders. Safe Harbor Statements made in this release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking” statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements containing words such as "anticipate,” "believe,” "plan,” "estimate,” "expect,” "hope,” "intend,” and similar expressions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ are identified in the public filings made by Vitesse with the Securities and Exchange Commission and include the fact that we have disclosed that you should not rely upon our published financial statements and the fact that we have not filed all of our reports required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. More information on factors that could affect our business and financial results are included in our public filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available on the web site of the Securities and Exchange Commission, www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond our control. We caution investors that any forward-looking statements made by us are not guarantees of future performance. We disclaim any obligation to update any such factors or to announce publicly the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.