Chipset and software combine to ease metro systems

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Jul 25, 2002

TXC-OMNI is a silicon and software solution that will help telecomms equipment vendors to develop next generation add drop multiplexers, digital crossconnects and hybrid TDM/data switching systems.

TXC-OMNI is a silicon and software solution that enables telecomms equipment vendors to rapidly and cost effectively develop next generation ADMs (add drop multiplexers), DCSs (digital crossconnects) and hybrid TDM (time division multiplexing)/data switching systems.

TXC-OMNI is the only solution that provides in-service migration from wideband to broadband transport and from TDM to data switching for metropolitan area networks ("metro").

This unprecedented level of flexibility will usher in a new generation of Metro Evolution equipment that improves service provider's profitability by dynamically adapting to customer demand.

The TXC-OMNI solution, a core element in TranSwitch's metro evolution strategy, includes the TXC-OMNI SE (switch element), the TXC-OMNI TP (transport processor) and an advanced support package, including distributed API (application programming interface), silicon firmware, diagnostic software, simulators and a fully functional TXC-OMNI reference system with reference designs.

Specifically, the TXC-OMNI SE is a highly integrated 12-port fully nonblocking time-space switch element that simultaneously supports TDM and data switching in native format.

With an aggregate capacity of over 30Gbit/s, onboard RISC processor, full support of multistage switch architectures and integrated serdes link, the TXC-OMNI SE serves a multitude of next generation multiservice metro network applications.

The TXC-OMNI SE provides switching granularity that includes VT1.5 (virtual tributary), TU-11/TU-12 (tributary unit), STS-1 (synchronous transport signal), and VC-3 (virtual container) without connectivity restrictions.

With a scalable multistage architecture, equipment vendors can now develop metro switches of over 1Tbit/s capacity.

The TXC-OMNI TP is a highly integrated add/drop multiplexer on a chip and is an ideal solution for equipment providers addressing the add/drop multiplexer/cross-connect market.

The TXC-OMNI TP provides Sonet/SDH framing, full Sonet/SDH protection mechanisms, and high and low order pointer processing.

The TXC-OMNI TP also provides programmable processing granularity from VT1.5/TU11/12 up to STS-48c/AU4 - 16c levels in a single VLSI device.

Finally, integrated backplane SerDes for both primary and secondary data paths eliminating external components while improving reliability of the system.

Bundled with the TXC-OMNI SE and TXC-OMNI TP are comprehensive software and development tools.

The software package includes a service-aware API that simplifies code development, thus, allowing engineers to focus on embedded application development instead of hardware register configuration.

This software package also includes advanced tools consisting of a complete API simulator, system-level diagnostic software, compilers, assemblers, and debuggers, significantly reducing development time for OEMs.

"The telecom industry is undergoing unprecedented change that will fundamentally affect customer needs along the entire supply chain.

Gone are the days of rapid deployment of new technologies and revolutionary new network architectures.

The new challenge for equipment suppliers is to reduce development costs while producing systems that foster network evolution", stated Paul DeBeasi, TranSwitch's Vice President of Marketing.

"The new products we are announcing today provide highly flexible Metro Evolution silicon while dramatically reducing software development costs and time".

The TXC-OMNI SE, a 624-lead PBGA, is sampling now with customers and the TXC-OMNI TP, a 1088-lead PBGA, is expected to sample fourth quarter 2002.

In volume, the TXC-OMNI SE is priced at $ 1100 per unit and the TXC-OMNI TP is priced at $ 1350 per unit.