The SLK2501 is a single chip, multirate transceiver that derives high-speed timing signals for SONET/ SDH-based equipment. The chip performs clock and data recovery, serial-to-parallel/parallel-to-serial conversion, and a frame detection function conforming to the SONET/SDH standards.

The device can be configured to operate under OC-48, OC-24, OC-12, or OC-3 data rates through the rate selection pins or the autorate detection function. An external reference clock operating at 622.08 MHz is required for the recovery loop, and it also provides a stable clock source in the absence of serial data transitions.

The SLK2501 accepts 4 bit LVDS parallel data/clock and generates a NRZ SONET/SDH-compliant signal at OC-3, OC-12, OC-24 or OC-48 rates.