Controllers speed migration to Gigabit Ethernet

New from TranSwitch is the Envoy family of versatile Ethernet controllers for next generation multiservice networks.

New from TranSwitch is the Envoy family of versatile Ethernet controllers for next generation multiservice networks.

The first two devices, Envoy-8FE (TXC-06840) and Envoy-2GE (TXC-06842), are designed to simplify network architecture decisions and reduce development costs and time to market (TTM) for communications OEMs.

Envoy enables the rapid migration of existing ATM, frame relay and Sonet/SDH networks to high growth next generation networks, including Fast Ethernet (FE) and Gigabit Ethernet (GE) technologies.

It gives OEMs and carriers the flexibility to deploy multi-service edge and access systems today to meet tomorrow's customer needs.

High port density, standardized interfaces and low power consumption are key to the successful deployment of Ethernet services.

Today OEMs who require Ethernet and standard system interface compatibility must frequently choose multiple VLSI devices and integrate them using FPGAs.

With the introduction of the Envoy family, development cost and time for Ethernet-based systems are significantly reduced.

The Envoy-8FE octal Fast Ethernet controller and Envoy-2GE dual Gigabit Ethernet controller are fully integrated, programmable bridging devices that offer a highly cost-effective way to connect telecom POS-PHY Level 2/SPI-3 interfaces to standards-based Ethernet interfaces in data communications.

The Envoy family speeds development of Ethernet-based next generation platforms for the metro and access markets.

These platforms cover a wide range of applications including 3G wireless basestations, 3G wireless radio network controllers (RNCs), multiservice switches, IP DSLAMs and edge routers.

The Envoy devices provide a complete system level solution when combined with other TranSwitch products such as the PHAST, Aspen and Cubit families and standard off-the-shelf network processing units (NPUs).

The Envoy line also complements the EtherMap family of Ethernet-over-Sonet solutions as well as other products in TranSwitch's Sonet/SDH portfolio.

"Now that Ethernet technology has proven to be highly scaleable, growing from 10/100Mbit/s to 1Gbit/s and now to 10Gbit/s, Envoy-8FE and Envoy-2GE will allow designers to increase port density and thus revenue while lowering capital and operating expenses for their platforms", stated Haroon Rafik, Product Manager of Access Solutions at TranSwitch.

He continued, "With the introduction of TranSwitch's Envoy family of Ethernet controllers, edge and access system vendors can meet the ever-increasing demands of service providers while offering the best combination of features with time-to-market advantages".

Envoy-8FE incorporates eight 10/100Mbit/s IEEE802.3 compliant media access controllers (MACs), which can be configured in full-duplex or half-duplex (CSMA/CD) mode.

Other features include programmable inter-packet gap (IPG), support for virtual local area network (VLAN) tagged frames and automatic pause frame generation and termination.

For Fast Ethernet applications, Envoy-8FE can seamlessly interface to PHY devices through eight independent SMII ports.

Similarly, Envoy-2GE features two IEEE802.3 compliant Gigabit Ethernet MACs.

On the Gigabit Ethernet interface, the controller's two independent GMII ports connect directly to standard Gigabit Ethernet PHY devices.

On the switch side, both the Envoy-2GE and Envoy-8FE interface directly with POS-PHY Level 2/SPI-3 compliant devices, including standard network processors.

Envoy-8FE and Envoy-2GE offer lossless flow control via large on-chip system buffers, eliminating the need for external memory.

The Envoy products also incorporate a state-of-the-art flow control mechanism to avoid port congestion and traffic loss.

Jumbo frames are supported for Gigabit Ethernet, enabling increased data throughput by reducing overhead.

Both the Envoy-8FE and Envoy-2GE are packaged in 376-lead 23 x 23mm plastic ball grid arrays and are priced at $58 each in 1000-off quantities.

The devices are currently available for sampling.

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