SANTA CLARA, CA December 5, 2005 Enigma Semiconductor today announced its
HybriCore integrated switch architecture, delivering more than 280 Gbps per switch for two
terabits of full duplex, non-blocking traffic across the system backplane. Developed with
the high demands of triple play applications in mind, the HybriCore architecture provides
network system developers with the ideal core switch fabric for the next generation of ultra
high-density networks.
HybriCore is the first scalable switching architecture to deliver both cell and native
packet switching across the system backplane. This makes it a flexible choice for system
OEMs developing 10- and 40-Gigabit network infrastructure equipment for service provider
networks as well as enterprise, storage and data center applications.
This technology enables exponential increases in system density to address a new generation
of requirements fueled by voice over IP (VoIP), broadcast TV (IPTV), video on demand (VoD) and
a multitude of data services that leverage the Internet network infrastructure. Network systems
based on HybriCore will enable network providers to deliver the application-aware performance
demanded of these triple play services, meeting Service Level Agreements (SLAs) based on
Committed Information Rates (CIR) and Peak Information Rates (PIR).
"There are two main reasons a system developer looks to merchant silicon: cost and
integration," said Rob Sturgill, president and CEO of Enigma Semiconductor. "HybriCore enables
excellent system economics, comparable to what is typically delivered by Ethernet technologies.
Chips based on HybriCore will push more user bandwidth through any given backplane than any
other solution, delivered in a low cost, low power package with great scalability."
High-Speed Serial Link Technology from Rambus Inc.
The first chipset implementation of the HybriCore architecture is expected to sample in Q1
2006, and will incorporate industry-leading high-speed interconnect serial link technology
licensed from Rambus Inc. Rambus' serial link technology provides 6 - 10 Gbps backplane
interconnects suitable for both legacy and greenfield applications. The licensed technology
includes robust equalization and reflection cancellation, dynamic adaptation algorithms,
variable data rates, and enables reliable real-time link health monitoring through a proprietary
on-chip diagnostics feature.
"The Enigma implementation of Rambus' backplane technology represents a significant
technological breakthrough in usable bandwidth across the backplane," said Kevin Donnelly,
vice president of engineering for Rambus Inc. "Coupling our advanced serial interconnect
with Enigma's breakthrough in backplane efficiency reinforces Rambus' position at the forefront
of next-generation communications equipment."
Eliminating Overspeed
In cell-based switching implementations, the only available path to alleviate backplane
inefficiency has been through scheduling improvements. To achieve non-blocking performance,
legacy switch solutions require significant amounts of wasted bandwidth commonly called overspeed
or speedup.
Incorporating a protocol-agnostic switching mechanism, HybriCore seamlessly carries both
packets and cells without internal segmentation. This breakthrough eliminates reassembly,
reordering and the associated cell tax that contribute to the cost and complexity of legacy
cell-based switch fabrics. Because the HybriCore architecture schedules packets directly,
nearly 100 percent of raw backplane serial link bandwidth is available for user and system
throughput.
"Enigma's HybriCore opens a new opportunity for system OEMs designing platforms with 10-
and 40-gigabit line cards to deliver the high speed, high density bandwidth required for next
generation triple play applications," said Simon Stanley, principal consultant for Earlswood
Marketing, Earlswood UK. "By integrating cell- and packet-based switching with best-in-class
serial link technology, Enigma has created a high speed switching solution that will meet
most user bandwidth demands through a wide variety of backplanes supporting both proprietary
and standard platforms such as AdvancedTCA."
For further information, please contact:
Rob Sturgill
CEO, Enigma Semiconductor, Inc.
2975 Scott Blvd., Suite 110
408.567.0536
Santa Clara, California 95054
info@enigmasemi.com
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