Reference Platform supports mix of TDM and packet services.
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Press Release Summary:
Carrier-class 5G multiservice access reference design, MetroXS, achieves Ethernet and Resilient Packet Ring (RPR) transport over SONET/SDH networks. Leveraging unified software API structure, solution has hardware architecture comprised of EXtendAR 48TM multiprotocol framer, OC-48/STM-16 SONET/SDH PHY, channelized 5G RPR MAC, and 4 GE/24 FE port Ethernet aggregation solution. Platform targets carriers who need to send triple play traffic over existing SONET/SDH networks.
Original Press Release:
Exar Releases an Industry-First, 5G Multi-Service Access Reference Platform
Leverages Multi-Protocol Over SONET/SDH Framers With Cutting-Edge RPR MAC and Ethernet Aggregation Technology
FREMONT, Calif., March 13 - Exar Corporation (NASDAQ:EXAR), a leading provider of high-performance, mixed-signal silicon solutions for the worldwide communications infrastructure today released MetroXS - an industry-first, carrier class 5G multi-service access reference design that achieves Ethernet and Resilient Packet Ring (RPR) transport over SONET/SDH networks. MetroXS can reduce time-to-market entry for OEMs developing Metro Ethernet and Metro-Service access solutions by up to 50%. MetroXS targets carriers and service providers who need to send triple play traffic over existing SONET/SDH networks. At the Metro Ethernet Forum, conducted by the Linley Group, on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 in San Jose, CA, Exar will demonstrate a mix of Gigabit Ethernet client data as well as RPR over Ethernet traffic transported reliably over a three node OC-48/STM-16 optical ring.
MetroXS Overview
The MetroXS hardware architecture comprises several Exar devices: EXtendAR 48TM (XRT95L53) multi-protocol framer, a OC-48/STM-16 SONET/SDH PHY (XRT91L80), plus the Company's channelized 5G Resilient Packet Ring (RPR) MAC, and 4 GE/24 FE port Ethernet aggregation solution. MetroXS leverages Exar's unified software API structure enabling system vendors to port their innovative applications on this platform with ease. Developed ground-up, MetroXS supports a hybrid mix of TDM and packet services over SONET/SDH.
"MetroXS is a no-compromise reference platform integrating all the hardware and software components required to build an advanced multi-service solution," said Sid Yenamandra, director, Ethernet and SONET/SDH products. "Utilizing this platform, OEMs can focus on their core competencies and cut in half their development cycle on line card designs enabling them to quickly bring to market compelling proprietary feature-rich and differentiated products."
"With MetroXS, Exar is raising the bar in demonstrating total solutions for developers of multi-service access platforms," said Bob Wheeler, senior analyst, Linley Group. "Utilizing MetroXS, designers can leverage a variety of supported features that integrate the functionality of several line cards onto one reference platform."
MetroXS Details & Distinguishing Features
The platform supports a unique blend of packet and TDM services over OC- 48/STM-16 SONET/SDH networks. The underlying technology demonstrated includes 802.17 compliant RPR MAC framing over SONET/SDH used primarily for intelligent ring protection and fair access control mechanisms in point to point Ethernet networks. The reference design has Ethernet aggregation services with oversubscription & traffic engineering mechanisms as well as efficient transport of data traffic over SONET/SDH networks using Virtual Concatenation (VCAT) and Link Adjustment Capacity Scheme (LCAS). Leveraging a modular system architecture, OEM's can support E-Line/E-LAN in combination with Ethernet over SONET, pure TDM or Ethernet over RPR transport over SONET/SDH services all in a single, highly integrated 1RU pizza box form factor. The platform supports 4 GE (1000 Mbps) ports and two OC-48/STM-16 ports all using multi-rate SFP optics. The platform consists of four high value functions - 5G RPR MAC, Multiprotocol framer, Ethernet aggregation and OC-48/STM-16 PHY's. The system also contains a Single Board Computer (SBC) with a MPC860 for handling control plane functions.
The 5G RPR MAC supports the Resilient Packet Ring (IEEE P802.17) protocol for link rates up to 2.488 Gbit/s per ringlet. RPR, a layer two media access control (MAC) technology, significantly increases the bandwidth efficiency of service provider networks by utilizing twice the capacity of traditional SONET/SDH rings. RPR delivers dynamic bandwidth management while preserving the same kind of protection and resiliency found in SONET/SDH networks. The architecture uses a channelized engine to provide maximum flexibility for network configurations. Up to five RPR stations (East and West MAC functions) are supported. A ring can use any link rate up to the 2.488 Gbit/s aggregate bandwidth.
The Ethernet aggregation device is a highly integrated multi-port FE (10/100 Mbps) and GE (1000 Mbps) Ethernet MAC targeted for line rate and oversubscribed LAN/MAN and aggregation applications. This highly integrated Ethernet aggregator reduces the number of components required to enable a non-blocking Ethernet solution with oversubscription support. The device interoperates with off-the-shelf Ethernet physical layer devices via standard RMII/GMII interfaces and with network processors or RPR MAC solutions via a standard SPI-3 interface. The integrated device includes on chip multi-rate Ethernet MACs, an extensive set of statistics and off-chip expandable packet buffer.
EXtendAR 48M (XRT95L53) is a highly integrated OC-48/STM-16, Quad OC- 12/STM-4 & OC-3/STM-1 Multi-protocol framer processor. This device combines standard OC-48/STM-16, Quad OC-12/STM-4, OC-3/STM-1 SONET framer functions with a flexible packet interface as well as a range of framing and encapsulation techniques integrated on a single chip. EXtendAR 48M supports Generic Framing Procedure (GFP) in combination with VCAT & LCAS, LAPS, POS, ATM and DS-3 capabilities configurable on a per-channel basis. EXtendAR 48M is the industry's first device to integrate 48 DS3/Fractional DS3 framers on a single chip. EXtendAR 48M, in addition to the SONET OC-48/OC-12/OC-3 interfaces, supports OIF compliant SPI-3 interface with optional support for Exar's proprietary G-header interface. Using this industry first G-header interface, EXtendAR 48M provides framing and encapsulation support for RPR, MPLS or proprietary client data that need to be transported over SONET.
The XRT91L80 is a fully integrated SONET/SDH transceiver for SONET OC-48/STM-16 allowing the use of Forward Error Correction (FEC) capability. The transceiver includes an on-chip Clock Multiplier Unit (CMU), which uses a high frequency Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) to generate the low jitter, high-speed transmit serial clock from slower external clock references. It, also, includes FIFO and 4-to-1 Serializer circuits. The receiver provides Clock and Data Recovery (CDR) and 1-to-4 Deserializer functions.
Availability and Additional Information
MetroXS platform is now available for demonstration. Please contact Exar Sales for additional information. Additional information can be found at: http://www.exar.com/product.php?ProdNumber=MetroXS.
About Exar
Exar Corporation designs, develops and markets high-performance, analog and mixed-signal silicon solutions for a variety of markets including networking, serial communications, and storage. Leveraging its industry-proven analog design expertise and system-level knowledge, Exar delivers to customers a wide array of technology solutions for their current as well as next generation products. The Company is based in Fremont, CA, had fiscal 2006 revenues of $67.0 million, and employs approximately 260 people worldwide. For more information about the Company visit: http://www.exar.com/.
CONTACT: Greg Kaufman, Marketing Communications of Exar Corporation, +1-510-668-7000
