The New 10GBASE-T (IEEE 802.3an) Standard
Ethernet is IEEE’s most successful standard. Its use model of BASE-T (connection using copper-based unshield twisted pair -- UTP) has proven multiple times to be the most convenient for widespread application. Ethernet became common at 10Mbps on CAT4 UTP in the mid 1980s, 100Mbps on CAT5 UTP was standardized in the early 1990s and 1G on CAT5e and CAT6 was standardized in the late 1990s. 10G on CAT6, CAT6a and CAT7 is the next step in this sequence and is the 802.3an or 10GBASE-T standard.

Teranetics worked within the IEEE process to define 10GBASE-T and the standard was published in September of 2006. While the 10GBASE-T standard has technical differences from previous BASE-T generations, the use model is identical. In order to transmit 10G over twisted pair, the 10GBASE-T chips have more sophisticated digital signal processing and high speed analog circuits than previous generations of BASE-T. There are additional effects of interference and cross-talk that come into play at these rates that previous generations of Ethernet did not see. Teranetics' ability to handle all the impairing effects while transmitting 10G data over UTP robustly sets Teranetics' solution apart.

Teranetics’ TN1010 product is standard compliant. Teranetics is working with each of its customers to demonstrate aspects of the standard that are important to their applications. TN1010 supports applications focused on CAT6A cabling with reach up to 100m. CAT6 represents the wiring type prevalent in today's data centers. Many customers are, therefore, interested in the multi-rate capability and the product’s performance on CAT6 installations. In addition, TN1010's backward compatibility with 1G ports is critical to ensure ease of installation and rapid deployment of our customer’s product in existing environments.