OFC/NFOEC 2011, LOS ANGELES, USA: Vitesse Semiconductor Corp., a leading provider of advanced IC solutions for Carrier and Enterprise networks, continues its focus on easing the transition to Carrier Ethernet in core and metropolitan networks by being the first to combine both the stringent precision packet timing protocol IEEE 1588 v2 and the advanced performance monitoring Y.1731 standard into physical layer devices (PHYs).
Vitesse's years of experience in providing ICs for the carrier market and participation in standards bodies such as Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF), IEEE and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) uniquely enables the Company to identify the needs of the market and efficiently combine the detailed specifications of these technologies.
By focusing on the integration of 1588v2 and Y.1731 at the PHY level, Vitesse is able to provide today’s Carrier Ethernet-based networks with accurate timing and failover performance previously only found in traditional TDM networks. Integrating both capabilities also improves system efficiency and lowers network costs by avoiding potential packet retransmission requests. Further, service providers can now monitor services delivery in real time through the timing and performance statistics within the Operations Administration & Maintenance (OAM) function.
The dual 1588v2/Y.1731 technology offering will be used in the industry’s most comprehensive PHY product portfolio. These devices are optimized for copper and fiber media, covering applications from Carrier Ethernet (LAN/WAN) to Optical Packet Transport (OTN) and speeds from 100Mbps to 100G.
In addition to being the first PHY portfolio in the industry that supports both IEEE1588v2 and Y.1731 precision time stamping, it also delivers the industry’s most advanced packet protocol support including IPv4 and IPv6, IP/MPLS, Pseudowire, and MPLS-Transport Protocol, supporting a rich mix of services in the network node. These PHY devices are targeted at mobile backhaul, business services, and industrial applications.
The first two products in this portfolio, the VSC8487-15 and VSC8488-15 10G PHYs, are being introduced at OFC/NFOEC Expo in Los Angeles.
“By enabling 1588v2 and Y.1731 time stamping closer to the line interface, Vitesse physical layer family of devices will improve the accuracy and reduce complexity of these protocol implementations in networking equipment,” said Martin Nuss, vice president of strategy and technology at Vitesse. “This will allow our customers to design or upgrade systems to meet stringent timing and performance monitoring standards for applications like mobile backhaul.”
Monday, March 7, 2011
Ralink enters high-growth VDSL market with 100Mbps home gateway solution
CUPERTINO, USA: Ralink Technology Corp., a leading developer of high performance wired and wireless networking solutions, announced its entry into the high-growth VDSL market with the introduction of the RT65168 VDSL2/ADSL2+ processor.
RT65168 is the world’s first VDSL solution that can be designed onto a 2-layer board, that supports the VDSL2 30a profile with up to 100 Mbps upstream/downstream throughput, and that enables ADSL fallback for backward compatibility. Ralink’s RT65168 processor now enables carriers to offer reliable voice, video, and data services at speeds rivaling fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) but with a far better price-to-performance ratio.
The RT65168 is a highly integrated VDSL2/ADSL2+ processor with market-leading advantages in cost, functionality, and performance. The chip includes a 32-bit MIPS 34Kc CPU and a powerful VDSL Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT) engine.
The RT65168 provides data rates of up to 100 Mbps symmetrically to support high-performance broadband gateway applications. When paired with RT63095, Ralink’s VDSL2 Analog Front End (AFE) chip, the RT65168 can support all VDSL/ADSL profiles on a cost-effective 2-layer printed circuit board.
The same printed circuit board can be used for Ethernet bridges, VDSL/ADSL routers, and residential Wi-Fi Gateways and Intelligent Access Devices (IADs). By developing a platform which can be used for so many broadband applications, Ralink has significantly reduced product development efforts and inventory control costs for both system manufacturers and service providers.
The RT65168 supports a discrete multi-tone modulation technology compliant with the various xDSL standards defined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Telecommunication Union standards body (ITU-T).
RT65168 is the world’s first VDSL solution that can be designed onto a 2-layer board, that supports the VDSL2 30a profile with up to 100 Mbps upstream/downstream throughput, and that enables ADSL fallback for backward compatibility. Ralink’s RT65168 processor now enables carriers to offer reliable voice, video, and data services at speeds rivaling fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) but with a far better price-to-performance ratio.
The RT65168 is a highly integrated VDSL2/ADSL2+ processor with market-leading advantages in cost, functionality, and performance. The chip includes a 32-bit MIPS 34Kc CPU and a powerful VDSL Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT) engine.
The RT65168 provides data rates of up to 100 Mbps symmetrically to support high-performance broadband gateway applications. When paired with RT63095, Ralink’s VDSL2 Analog Front End (AFE) chip, the RT65168 can support all VDSL/ADSL profiles on a cost-effective 2-layer printed circuit board.
The same printed circuit board can be used for Ethernet bridges, VDSL/ADSL routers, and residential Wi-Fi Gateways and Intelligent Access Devices (IADs). By developing a platform which can be used for so many broadband applications, Ralink has significantly reduced product development efforts and inventory control costs for both system manufacturers and service providers.
The RT65168 supports a discrete multi-tone modulation technology compliant with the various xDSL standards defined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Telecommunication Union standards body (ITU-T).
PMC-Sierra announces industry’s first EPON ONU SoC with integrated optical analog front end technology
SUNNYVALE, USA: PMC-Sierra Inc. announced the industry’s most advanced EPON ONU devices with integrated Optical Analog Front End (OAFE) technology optimized for the rapidly growing Fiber To The Home (FTTH) market segment.
PMC-Sierra’s PAS6500 family consists of three devices – the PAS6502 System-on-Chip (SoC) for data and voice-over-IP (VoIP) Single-Family Units (SFUs), the PAS6500 SoC for data SFUs, and the PAS6501 SoC for Multiple Dwelling Units (MDUs). The PAS6500 devices are the first to integrate an EPON OAFE consisting of a burst mode laser driver, a limiting amplifier and a receiver control processor.
By connecting to an on-board Bi-directional Optical Sub Assembly (BoSA) instead of an optical transceiver, the PAS6500 solutions reduce the cost, size and power of the ONU, while adding improved diagnostic capabilities. The high level of integration, which also includes a VoIP processor, helps OEMs to significantly reduce the cost of ONU equipment. All three devices feature PMC-Sierra’s field-proven GigaPASS™ architecture that achieves sustained gigabit and greater data rates, and is already used in more than 15 million PON devices deployed worldwide.
PMC-Sierra’s PAS6500 family integrates a programmable networking engine that provides enhanced Quality of Service (QoS), complying with China Telecom specification version 2.1, including IPv6 protocol support. The unique power saving algorithms implemented within PAS6500 devices reduce ONU power consumption by up to 80 percent.
This product family adds mobile backhaul over EPON support with the integration of Synchronous Ethernet and Time of Day delivery, wire-speed throughput at all packet sizes, queueing, filtering and advanced QoS. These solutions reuse PMC-Sierra’s widely deployed EPON software packages and preserve field-proven interoperability in worldwide EPON deployments.
“OEMs worldwide are constantly looking for ways to offer new, advanced services, reduce costs and lower power consumption,” said Raphael Sankar, vice president and co-general manager of PMC-Sierra’s FTTH division. “Our third generation EPON ONU SoC addresses all three objectives by embedding a programmable networking engine, offering unique power saving algorithms and featuring innovative silicon integration.”
“EPON deployments continue to grow in China and Japan, and are now expanding to the U.S. markets,” said Jag Bolaria, senior analyst, The Linley Group. “OEMs need to be able to reduce power consumption and equipment costs while increasing functionality in order to meet the service provider requirements for new deployments.”
PMC-Sierra’s SFU and MDU reference designs are available for a range of user interfaces, including Gigabit Ethernet, Fast Ethernet and POTS. The reference designs reduce the cost and increase the energy efficiency of EPON networks. These solutions offer a complete EPON ONU software package, which is compatible with the PAS6301 software and supports low footprint OS and Linux featuring an EPON protocol stack and networking drivers, IEEE 802.3ah OAM protocol, including operator-specific stacks, integrated peripheral drivers and a complete VoIP software solution.
PMC-Sierra’s PAS6500 family consists of three devices – the PAS6502 System-on-Chip (SoC) for data and voice-over-IP (VoIP) Single-Family Units (SFUs), the PAS6500 SoC for data SFUs, and the PAS6501 SoC for Multiple Dwelling Units (MDUs). The PAS6500 devices are the first to integrate an EPON OAFE consisting of a burst mode laser driver, a limiting amplifier and a receiver control processor.
By connecting to an on-board Bi-directional Optical Sub Assembly (BoSA) instead of an optical transceiver, the PAS6500 solutions reduce the cost, size and power of the ONU, while adding improved diagnostic capabilities. The high level of integration, which also includes a VoIP processor, helps OEMs to significantly reduce the cost of ONU equipment. All three devices feature PMC-Sierra’s field-proven GigaPASS™ architecture that achieves sustained gigabit and greater data rates, and is already used in more than 15 million PON devices deployed worldwide.
PMC-Sierra’s PAS6500 family integrates a programmable networking engine that provides enhanced Quality of Service (QoS), complying with China Telecom specification version 2.1, including IPv6 protocol support. The unique power saving algorithms implemented within PAS6500 devices reduce ONU power consumption by up to 80 percent.
This product family adds mobile backhaul over EPON support with the integration of Synchronous Ethernet and Time of Day delivery, wire-speed throughput at all packet sizes, queueing, filtering and advanced QoS. These solutions reuse PMC-Sierra’s widely deployed EPON software packages and preserve field-proven interoperability in worldwide EPON deployments.
“OEMs worldwide are constantly looking for ways to offer new, advanced services, reduce costs and lower power consumption,” said Raphael Sankar, vice president and co-general manager of PMC-Sierra’s FTTH division. “Our third generation EPON ONU SoC addresses all three objectives by embedding a programmable networking engine, offering unique power saving algorithms and featuring innovative silicon integration.”
“EPON deployments continue to grow in China and Japan, and are now expanding to the U.S. markets,” said Jag Bolaria, senior analyst, The Linley Group. “OEMs need to be able to reduce power consumption and equipment costs while increasing functionality in order to meet the service provider requirements for new deployments.”
PMC-Sierra’s SFU and MDU reference designs are available for a range of user interfaces, including Gigabit Ethernet, Fast Ethernet and POTS. The reference designs reduce the cost and increase the energy efficiency of EPON networks. These solutions offer a complete EPON ONU software package, which is compatible with the PAS6301 software and supports low footprint OS and Linux featuring an EPON protocol stack and networking drivers, IEEE 802.3ah OAM protocol, including operator-specific stacks, integrated peripheral drivers and a complete VoIP software solution.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
IBM, KVTSDC to drive job growth through mobile web and cloud computing in India
ARMONK, USA & BENGALURU, INDIA: IBM and the Karnataka Vocational Training and Skill Development Corp. (KVTSDC), an organization within the Department of Labour in India's fastest growing state, announced a new partnership to help millions of citizens find work using their mobile devices. Once created, this technology could be applied in emerging economies around the world.
The World Wide Web has provided unfettered access to information, opened new business and employment opportunities, transformed the way we communicate, helped eliminate geographical barriers and paved the way for global collaboration and integration. But in many of the world's most rapidly growing economies, there is a lack of affordable access to personal computers and the Internet – and in rural areas in particular, widespread illiteracy compounds this gap.
Today, in India, only 7 percent of the population has access to the Web, but at the same time mobile phones and services are becoming increasingly affordable and reliable, creating the emergence of a Mobile Web and opening the door for citizens to access important government services through their phones.
Recognizing this opportunity, IBM and KVTSDC will team up to leverage cloud computing, the mobile Web and the Spoken Web to help millions of people across the state find work. A new cloud computing platform will allow job seekers and job providers to connect, expand searches and cross reference candidates, get training and certifications, understand emerging job trends and share information all through their mobile devices and in their local languages.
In addition, a mobile crowdsourcing platform will enable candidates to rank and refer jobs to one another and drive rapid dissemination of available opportunities. Unique skill matching techniques will be used to match job seekers with available jobs while employability analytics will allow employers and the government to understand demand and supply trends. The employability marketplace will run on the IBM Cloud providing a pay-as-you-go model and elastic scaling.
KVTSDC believes this technology will increase the penetration of its programmes and enable a vibrant employment ecosystem across the state.
"The Karnataka state government is a pioneer in skill development in the country. Our goal is to empower our citizens and create employment opportunities in the state by creating a conducive environment for all the stakeholders. This platform will help us expand our horizon and reach people in the most remote parts of Karnataka," said Dr. Vishnukanth Chatpalli, executive director of KVTSDC. "We are glad that IBM, one of the largest technology companies in the world, has partnered with us in this first of its kind endeavor."
In addition to cloud computing IBM plans to integrate the Spoken Web. The Spoken Web creates a system that is comparable to the World Wide Web using speech technology and the telephone – landline or mobile. Spoken Web helps people create voice sites using their telephones. The user gets a unique phone number which is equivalent to a URL and when other users access this voice site they get to hear whatever content has been uploaded there.
The first phase of the project will be implemented in two districts, Mandya and Bijapur, and will be expanded to eight more districts in a second phase. Karnataka is the first state to set up a skill commission and take the lead in the Government of India's objective of having 500 million skilled people in India by 2022. The Karnataka Skill Commission and the KVTSDC were constituted in September 2008 with the objective of creating 1 million new jobs within 5 years.
"IBM's vision is to apply technologies that enable skills and education transformation and economic uplift in growing economies around the world," said Paul Bloom, CTO - Telecommunications, IBM Research. "This project is a powerful example of how we can take advantage of societal trends and infuse them with technology to solve real problems in growth economies."
The World Wide Web has provided unfettered access to information, opened new business and employment opportunities, transformed the way we communicate, helped eliminate geographical barriers and paved the way for global collaboration and integration. But in many of the world's most rapidly growing economies, there is a lack of affordable access to personal computers and the Internet – and in rural areas in particular, widespread illiteracy compounds this gap.
Today, in India, only 7 percent of the population has access to the Web, but at the same time mobile phones and services are becoming increasingly affordable and reliable, creating the emergence of a Mobile Web and opening the door for citizens to access important government services through their phones.
Recognizing this opportunity, IBM and KVTSDC will team up to leverage cloud computing, the mobile Web and the Spoken Web to help millions of people across the state find work. A new cloud computing platform will allow job seekers and job providers to connect, expand searches and cross reference candidates, get training and certifications, understand emerging job trends and share information all through their mobile devices and in their local languages.
In addition, a mobile crowdsourcing platform will enable candidates to rank and refer jobs to one another and drive rapid dissemination of available opportunities. Unique skill matching techniques will be used to match job seekers with available jobs while employability analytics will allow employers and the government to understand demand and supply trends. The employability marketplace will run on the IBM Cloud providing a pay-as-you-go model and elastic scaling.
KVTSDC believes this technology will increase the penetration of its programmes and enable a vibrant employment ecosystem across the state.
"The Karnataka state government is a pioneer in skill development in the country. Our goal is to empower our citizens and create employment opportunities in the state by creating a conducive environment for all the stakeholders. This platform will help us expand our horizon and reach people in the most remote parts of Karnataka," said Dr. Vishnukanth Chatpalli, executive director of KVTSDC. "We are glad that IBM, one of the largest technology companies in the world, has partnered with us in this first of its kind endeavor."
In addition to cloud computing IBM plans to integrate the Spoken Web. The Spoken Web creates a system that is comparable to the World Wide Web using speech technology and the telephone – landline or mobile. Spoken Web helps people create voice sites using their telephones. The user gets a unique phone number which is equivalent to a URL and when other users access this voice site they get to hear whatever content has been uploaded there.
The first phase of the project will be implemented in two districts, Mandya and Bijapur, and will be expanded to eight more districts in a second phase. Karnataka is the first state to set up a skill commission and take the lead in the Government of India's objective of having 500 million skilled people in India by 2022. The Karnataka Skill Commission and the KVTSDC were constituted in September 2008 with the objective of creating 1 million new jobs within 5 years.
"IBM's vision is to apply technologies that enable skills and education transformation and economic uplift in growing economies around the world," said Paul Bloom, CTO - Telecommunications, IBM Research. "This project is a powerful example of how we can take advantage of societal trends and infuse them with technology to solve real problems in growth economies."
ZT844x series RF/IF digitizers allow engineers to test new 802.11ac standards and WiMAX protocols
ALBUQUERQUE, USA: ZTEC Instruments ZT844x Series RF/IF digitizers/baseband signal analyzers offer engineers a cutting-edge combination of more instantaneous bandwidth to receive and process next-generation digital communication signals, and more input signal dynamic range to provide higher wireless data rates.
With the ZT844x Series, engineers have software-defined, synthetic modular instruments that easily and efficiently achieve accurate design verification, characterization and test of RF and microwave integrated devices, circuits, and systems.
The new devices address the current bandwidth and dynamic range challenges that test engineers face in testing new communication standards such as the 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard and WiMAX protocols and are ideal for RF and microwave receiver applications including wireless and semiconductor RFIC testing.
Emerging standards require new, enhanced tools
The new 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard will achieve a 1 Gbps data rate by increasing the instantaneous bandwidth to 160 MHz with 80 dB spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR).
With In-Stat studies expecting one billion 802.11ac devices to ship by 2015, engineers must be prepared to meet market demands and test these devices with adequate and accurate tools. To test the 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard, engineers need the ZT844x devices, high-performance instruments that provide a combination of instantaneous bandwidth and dynamic range.
In addition, the ZT844x can receive and analyze 802.11n (as well as other Wi-Fi standards that use OFDM modulation, including 802.11a and 802.11g) signals. ZTEC begins with the 802.11n protocol and adds 802.11ac functionality to extend the 802.11n standard with instantaneous bandwidth up to 160MHz, more MIMO channels, and higher density modulation, up to 256QAM.
With the ZT844x Series, engineers have software-defined, synthetic modular instruments that easily and efficiently achieve accurate design verification, characterization and test of RF and microwave integrated devices, circuits, and systems.
The new devices address the current bandwidth and dynamic range challenges that test engineers face in testing new communication standards such as the 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard and WiMAX protocols and are ideal for RF and microwave receiver applications including wireless and semiconductor RFIC testing.
Emerging standards require new, enhanced tools
The new 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard will achieve a 1 Gbps data rate by increasing the instantaneous bandwidth to 160 MHz with 80 dB spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR).
With In-Stat studies expecting one billion 802.11ac devices to ship by 2015, engineers must be prepared to meet market demands and test these devices with adequate and accurate tools. To test the 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard, engineers need the ZT844x devices, high-performance instruments that provide a combination of instantaneous bandwidth and dynamic range.
In addition, the ZT844x can receive and analyze 802.11n (as well as other Wi-Fi standards that use OFDM modulation, including 802.11a and 802.11g) signals. ZTEC begins with the 802.11n protocol and adds 802.11ac functionality to extend the 802.11n standard with instantaneous bandwidth up to 160MHz, more MIMO channels, and higher density modulation, up to 256QAM.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Exar exits 10Gb Ethernet NIC market
FREMONT, USA: Exar Corp. announced that it is changing its plans to participate in the data center virtualization market and will stop development of 10 Gigabit Ethernet network interface cards.
Products affected with this announcement are the Exar X3100 and Xframe acquired from Neterion in March 2010. This move to reduce expenses associated with the 10GbE NIC products allows Exar to focus on products with more significant market traction in the enterprise storage and communications infrastructure markets.
"We made this decision based on a combination of factors, including lack of revenue traction for our data center virtualization products, the increasing investment required for developing next generation 10GbE products, and our interest in ensuring that other better performing investments are properly funded," said Pete Rodriguez, the company's president and CEO.
"Our objective is to continually direct our R&D efforts towards projects with the highest expected return on investment. We estimate this action will reduce Non-GAAP operating expenses going forward by approximately $3.0 million per quarter from our current quarterly guidance range as early as the June quarter, which we expect to enable Non-GAAP profitability in fiscal 2012."
This action is expected to reduce our net sales for the current quarter by approximately $1.0 million. In addition, we estimate restructuring costs to be approximately $11.8 million to $13.6 million comprised of an approximately $8.0 million charge for the impairment of intangible assets and $3.8 million to $5.6 million primarily related to inventory and severance costs. For purposes of Non-GAAP reporting, we will exclude restructuring costs.
For fiscal 2012, we estimate that net sales will grow in line with industry growth expectations of 4% to 6% over Exar's fiscal 2011 revenue.
Products affected with this announcement are the Exar X3100 and Xframe acquired from Neterion in March 2010. This move to reduce expenses associated with the 10GbE NIC products allows Exar to focus on products with more significant market traction in the enterprise storage and communications infrastructure markets.
"We made this decision based on a combination of factors, including lack of revenue traction for our data center virtualization products, the increasing investment required for developing next generation 10GbE products, and our interest in ensuring that other better performing investments are properly funded," said Pete Rodriguez, the company's president and CEO.
"Our objective is to continually direct our R&D efforts towards projects with the highest expected return on investment. We estimate this action will reduce Non-GAAP operating expenses going forward by approximately $3.0 million per quarter from our current quarterly guidance range as early as the June quarter, which we expect to enable Non-GAAP profitability in fiscal 2012."
This action is expected to reduce our net sales for the current quarter by approximately $1.0 million. In addition, we estimate restructuring costs to be approximately $11.8 million to $13.6 million comprised of an approximately $8.0 million charge for the impairment of intangible assets and $3.8 million to $5.6 million primarily related to inventory and severance costs. For purposes of Non-GAAP reporting, we will exclude restructuring costs.
For fiscal 2012, we estimate that net sales will grow in line with industry growth expectations of 4% to 6% over Exar's fiscal 2011 revenue.
10X10 MSA ratifies specification for low cost 100 Gb/s 2km links
ANAHEIM, USA: The 10X10 MSA announced the public availability of a ratified 100Gb/s module specification. This specification is intended to help speed delivery and accelerate deployment of multi-sourced, low cost 100Gb/s interfaces such as 100 Gigabit Ethernet and OTU4.
The 10X10 MSA has brought together leading network end-users with system, optical module and semiconductor companies to develop an open, inclusive forum for development of specifications targeted at meeting the requirements of 100Gb/s networks today.
Modules built to the 10X10 specification directly map 10 electrical lanes at 10Gb/s onto 10 lasers and operate on a conventional Single Mode Fiber (SMF) enabling reach of 2 km. With the 2 km specification complete, a new 10X10 project is extending the reach to 10 km. Another 10X10 project is focused on developing a high density form factor.
“JDSU is pleased to be part of this new industry standard that will allow for cost effective 100G transmission rates,” said Beck Mason, senior director of Transmission R&D at JDSU.
Since its inception, the 10X10 MSA has grown to over 18 companies, illustrating the growing interest in accelerating the development of 100 Gb/s technology to market. We are now working to expand the 10X10 working group to develop the industry’s first open specification for next generation high density 100Gb/s client interfaces.
“The 10X10 MSA standardized the 2km optical specification in record time and plans to do the same for a 10km specification this year,” said Scott Kipp, Senior Technologist at Brocade and the 10X10 MSA Chair.
The 10X10 MSA has brought together leading network end-users with system, optical module and semiconductor companies to develop an open, inclusive forum for development of specifications targeted at meeting the requirements of 100Gb/s networks today.
Modules built to the 10X10 specification directly map 10 electrical lanes at 10Gb/s onto 10 lasers and operate on a conventional Single Mode Fiber (SMF) enabling reach of 2 km. With the 2 km specification complete, a new 10X10 project is extending the reach to 10 km. Another 10X10 project is focused on developing a high density form factor.
“JDSU is pleased to be part of this new industry standard that will allow for cost effective 100G transmission rates,” said Beck Mason, senior director of Transmission R&D at JDSU.
Since its inception, the 10X10 MSA has grown to over 18 companies, illustrating the growing interest in accelerating the development of 100 Gb/s technology to market. We are now working to expand the 10X10 working group to develop the industry’s first open specification for next generation high density 100Gb/s client interfaces.
“The 10X10 MSA standardized the 2km optical specification in record time and plans to do the same for a 10km specification this year,” said Scott Kipp, Senior Technologist at Brocade and the 10X10 MSA Chair.
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