PHYs offer 10G coding strength at 2.5G & 5G speeds

The devices, which improve the performance of Cat5e and Cat6 cabling, provide network managers with additional data rate options that go beyond 1 and 10G. Offering the benefits of next-gen 802.11ac wireless technology, including Wave 1 and Wave 2 MIMO, the PHYs ensure a seamless wired connection between the access point and switch. 

The BCM8486X PHYs, which are designed in 28nm process technology, are the industry’s first PHYs based on the open and royalty-free specification adopted by the MGBASE-T Alliance. Meeting the requirements of both the switching and access point markets, the devices are offered in single-port and quad-port packages. Based on the 10GBASE-T architecture, the PHYs offer the coding strength of 10G at 2.5G and 5G speeds. This results in improved alien noise rejection and a cable reach of more than 100m over existing Cat5e and Cat6 cables. Allowing system vendors to implement low cost 2.5G capable platforms using magnetics similar in cost to 1000-BASE-T-based platforms, the devices feature integrated coding and constellation schemes, which provide wideband noise rejection.

The BCM8486X series consists of four devices: the BCM84860, BCM84861, BCM84864 and BCM84868, all of which are now sampling.

"As the influx of wireless computing devices continues to increase within the enterprise, the need for additional data rates is becoming a necessity," commented Lorenzo Longo, Vice President and General Manager, Physical Layer Products, Broadcom. "The BCM8486X Series extends our robust PHY portfolio and helps alleviate some of the current challenges of 1G and 10G speeds within the enterprise."