CopperTen™ Augmented Category 6 Solutions
PioneerinG auGmenTed CaTeGory 6
The IEEE knew that achieving 10 Gbps transmission at 100 meters required at least 18 Gbps from an
Ethernet cabling solution. This Shannon’s Capacity measurement accounts for inherent noise from
active hardware. However, by late 2003, the IEEE seriously considered abandoning copper for 10 Gbps
Ethernet at 100 meters because no manufacturer could meet the requirements—relegating 10 Gbps
to fiber or only 55 meter UTP.
Two months later, at the November 2003 meeting of the IEEE subcomittee, ADC demonstrated the
world’s first design for an unshielded twisted pair cable that was fully backwards compatible with Cat-
egory 6 and able to support 18 Gbps of Shannon’s capacity. As a result of this breakthrough innovation
by ADC, the IEEE 10Gbps working group voted unanimously (86-0) to move forward with developing
an Augmented Category 6 standard for 10Gbps transmission over UTP, now known as IEEE 802.3an.
In April 2004, ADC introduced CopperTen™—the world’s first Augmented Category 6 solution including
cable, connectors, patch panels and patch cords. Today, independent lab tests confirm performance in
live installations. By the end of 2005, over 20 million installed feet of CopperTen Augmented Category
6 cable confirms ADC’s leadership position with 10Gbps UTP solutions.
Following ADC’s lead, the industry is moving to adopt standards for 10G over UTP and installations are
advancing globally. As early as 2007, industry analysts foresee installation of Augmented Category 6
surpassing that of Category 5e systems.
GroWTh by CaTeGory
A world leader in high-performance network infrastructure, ADC is focused on customer-driven tech-
nology and innovation. Holding over 10,000 patents on designs by engineers throughout the United
States, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and India, ADC continues to leverage its experienced
global resources to help you maximize your network’s performance.
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