Tony, Article...Level One Unveils HDSL2 Chipset: HDSL2 Systems Available Today From Industry Leading Manufacturers; Company Continues Its Powerful Leadership Role in HDSL2 Implementation...
April 13, 1999
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Level One Communications, a leader in HDSL2 technology, today announced the availability of its HDSL2 chipset, providing low latency, symmetric data delivery for business communications applications including LAN over WAN access, real-time video communications, remote web hosting, and provision for multiple voice channels.
The chipset has been adopted by leading OEMs such as ADC Telecommunications, Alcatel KE, Pairgain Technologies, and Teltrend Inc., who have been working with Level One silicon since October 1998.
HDSL2 is the standardized symmetric digital subscriber line technology designed to serve business applications while maintaining complete compatibility with existing services on the network such as T1, HDSL, ADSL, and ISDN. Built upon the original HDSL, it delivers full T1 performance over a single twisted pair cable, which makes it ideal for regional operators and competitive local exchange carriers who want to deliver high-speed data services to small and medium-sized businesses, telecommuters and remote enterprise users.
Leading communications analysts have cited HDSL2's benefits for a broad range of OEMs. "HDSL2 offers ILECs and CLECs a compelling alternative for providing high-speed data services to small and medium-sized businesses, the most rapidly growing segment of the market," said Shannon Pleasant, senior analyst with Cahners In-Stat Group. "Level One's leadership in the development of HDSL2 silicon will allow equipment providers to quickly address this opportunity."
The new SK70740/41/42 provides an HDSL2 analog front end, transceiver and FEC/framer in a single chipset that reflects Level One's leadership in setting the standard and creating a product for single pair symmetric DSL technology. This chipset has been proven in comprehensive beta and interoperability testing with ADC Telecommunications and PairGain Technologies, who worked closely with Level One on standardization.
At the heart of the chipset is the SK70741 HDSL2 pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) transceiver, which is optimized for the forthcoming ANSI HDSL2 standard for T1 transport over a single twisted pair. While the ANSI HDSL2 standard addresses full T1 transport, the chipset can also provide sub-rates down to 144 kbps, which enables transmission over longer distances or through harsh environments.
Digital filters control the power spectral density (PSD) of the signal, to maximize performance in a mixed crosstalk environment. The ability to control the PSD also ensures the spectral compatibility of HDSL2 with other services in the same cable binder.
The SK70740 analog front end (AFE) includes switched capacitor filters to shape the transmitted signal to meet specific PSD templates. It also includes a high-resolution, high-linearity delta sigma analog-to-digital converter.
The SK70742 HDSL2 FEC/Framer combines the functions of HDSL2 frame mapping and forward error correction (FEC) in one chip. It interfaces with the SK70741 to provide line rates up to 2.064 Mbps. The chip also supports fractional rates, and enables a transparent framing mode. By utilizing trellis-coded modulation (TCM), the chipset can provide more than 5dB of coding gain to the HDSL2 transmission system.
Both the SK70741 and SK70742 have eight-bit parallel interfaces for connection to standard Intel or Motorola processors. An internal activation controller in the SK70741 minimizes software complexity and requires minimal processor overhead.
"Today's announcement of HDSL2 silicon availability strengthens Level One's leadership in single pair HDSL2," said Taufique Ahmed, product marketing manager of Level One's DSL product line. "Level One was a key contributor in the development of the original standard, first to deliver samples to customers, and we've led interoperability programs with our customers. Level One will continue to assume a leadership role in the standardization process while ensuring supply of HDSL2 products to our customers."
HDSL2 as Worldwide Standard
The transmission performance of HDSL2 and its trellis-coded Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM) scheme has been validated after specification in the ANSI standards committee for North America. The standardization of related single pair symmetric DSL standards is underway at the European Telecommunications Standards Institute and at the International Telecommunications Union for European and international markets.
"The flexibility that we have built into the HDSL2 chipset allows it to be configured to specifications that are now being defined in these standards organizations," Ahmed said.
Pricing and Availability
Each device in the HDSL2 chipset is packaged in a 64-pin quad flat package (QFP). General samples are now available with production volumes expected in June 99. Pricing starts at $60.96 per chipset in 1,000-unit volumes. For more information visit www.level1.com or call 916/854-1155. To receive literature package LO1P011, please e-mail litreq@level1.com.
Level One Communications, Inc.
Level One Communications (Nasdaq:LEVL) provides silicon connectivity, LAN switching and WAN access solutions for high-speed telecom and networking applications. These components are critical elements in today's telecommunication and data communication networks and are the key building blocks for the Intranets and Internets of the future.
Level One combines its strengths in analog and digital circuit design, with its communications systems expertise, to produce digital and mixed-signal solutions with increased functionality and greater reliability, resulting in lower total systems cost. Level One Communications, Inc. is ISO 9001 registered, illustrating the company's commitment to world-class standards and providing high quality products.
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