Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has approved work on a new amendment to the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard to enhance the 100 Gbps Ethernet physical layer (PHY) capabilities defined in IEEE Std 802.3baTM-2010.
The IEEE P802.3bj project led by the IEEE P802.3bj Task Force aims to specify 100Gbps operation over backplanes and short-reach copper cable assemblies to enable the development and delivery of lower-cost, higher-density 100Gbps offerings.
IEEE P802.3bj Task Force chair John D’Ambrosia said by expanding on the solid foundational standards work already completed, IEEE P802.3bj will provide better options for system designers to minimise or eliminate the bandwidth bottlenecks facing end-users.
The Task Force members are ready to begin collaboratively defining four-lane, 25Gbps electrical signalling architectures that will support 100 Gbps Ethernet operation across backplanes up to 1m in length and copper cable operations up to at least 5m in length.
IEEE P802.3bj will specify maximum compliance and compatibility with other IEEE 802.3 installations, IEEE said.
As the application of Ethernet increasingly becomes the preferred backplane interconnect technology for applications, such as modular servers and telecom networks, and over twinaxial copper cables for both intra- and inter-rack connections,
IEEE P802.3bj holds broad relevance for multiple applications, such as blade servers and data centres, by facilitating higher speeds and greater densities.
Stakeholders, including semi-conductor, server, and network storage device manufacturers, component vendors, and telecommunications carriers are supporting the task force.
IEEE 802.3 Working Group chair David Law said as the capabilities of 100 Gbps Ethernet are enhanced with IEEE P802.3bj, the resources, expertise and leadership of IEEE will support the continuing evolution of Ethernet to higher speeds and capabilities.
