LAS VEGAS, April 29, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Interop 2008 -- Microsemi Corporation, a leading manufacturer of analog mixed signal integrated circuits and high reliability semiconductors, and Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation, a leading provider of advanced IC solutions for Carrier and Enterprise Ethernet networks, announced today their first joint reference design for power Gigabit Ethernet switches compatible with the new IEEE802.3at-draft3.0 Power over Ethernet standard.
The reference design, based on Microsemi's PD69012 chipset and Vitesse's VSC74xx family of Gigabit Ethernet switches, allows Ethernet OEM/ODM equipment suppliers to use the same printed circuit board to provide both 24-port PoE (Power over Ethernet) and non-PoE versions of a Gigabit Ethernet switch platform.
The reference design leverages Microsemi's Power over Ethernet technology and Vitesse's Gigabit Ethernet switching expertise to allow suppliers to design an integrated PoE IEEE802.3af solution today, and then easily migrate the same platform to PoE+ once IEEE802.3at becomes approved as a standard. A complete software solution with PoE system management capabilities is a standard offering with this platform via the Vitesse Gigabit Ethernet switch.
"This new reference platform reduces the design effort and time our customers will need to bring higher power over Gigabit Ethernet solutions to market. They can develop state-of-the-art PoE switching in a quick and cost effective manner," said Steve Litchfield, Executive Vice President and President of Microsemi's Analog Mixed Signal Group.
The joint reference design is configured to support 30W per port, per IEEE802.3at-draft3.0, and is capable of driving up to 36W per port. Using Microsemi's state of the art Dynamic Power Management, it allows customers to use small power supplies for switches that are expected to power both high power and low power devices. This is typical in Enterprises applications having VoIP phones and IEEE802.11n WLAN access points.
"Our OEM customers expect best-in-class silicon technology, proven solutions, and superior support to hasten their designs into production," said Brian Jaroszewski, senior product marketing manager at Vitesse. "Providing a joint reference design with Microsemi allows us to offer our customers the latest in PoE technology with full flexibility to comply with IEEE802.3at as it is standardized."
The new joint reference design is available immediately by contacting a Vitesse sales representative. It is being demonstrated at Interop Las Vegas 2008 exhibition, April 29 to May 1, in the Microsemi Booth 1069 and the Ethernet Alliance Booth 1567.
About Microsemi Corporation
Microsemi Corporation, with corporate headquarters in Irvine, California, is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of high performance analog and mixed signal integrated circuits and high reliability semiconductors. The company's semiconductors manage and control or regulate power, protect against transient voltage spikes and transmit, receive and amplify signals.
Microsemi's products include individual components as well as integrated circuit solutions that enhance customer designs by improving performance, reliability and battery optimization, reducing size or protecting circuits. The principal markets the company serves include implantable medical, defense/aerospace and satellite, notebook computers, monitors and LCD TVs, automotive and mobile connectivity applications. More information may be obtained by contacting the company directly or by visiting its web site at http://www.microsemi.com.
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About Vitesse
Vitesse designs, develops and markets a diverse portfolio of high-performance, cost-competitive semiconductor solutions for Carrier and Enterprise Ethernet 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.
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Investor Inquiries: Robert C. Adams, Microsemi Corporation, Irvine, CA (949) 221-7100.