AFC
is building out an "AdvancedVoice" strategy to help
carriers migrate their legacy voice services onto a packetized
broadband network. The strategy leverages AFC's AccessMAX
platform, which is capable of being configured as a digital loop
carrier, DSLAM, or optical line terminal. Packetization of
legacy voice traffic could occur with the AccessMAX deployed in
a remote terminal or "dark central office" further out
in the network. Voice traffic could be handed off either to the
PSTN or a next generation softswitch.
AFC's AccessMAX
features a new Gateway Processing Engine (GPE) that provides
media gateway functionality. The new GPE plug-in card enables
AccessMAX systems to use the H.248 media gateway control
protocol to interface with Nortel Networks' Succession CS 2000.
The combined solution allows subscriber calls initiated from
traditional analog telephones to be converted into packets and
switched efficiently through a converged packet network.
Image: AFC
Central to
circuit-to-packet evolution, AFC's GPE card processes H.248
call-control signaling combined with digit collection, tone
generation/detection, echo cancellation, packetization, and
voice compression. The AccessMAX provides real-time,
simultaneous support of legacy TDM-based switch interfaces,
including GR-303, TR-08 and TR-57, with H.248 -- the
carrier-grade IETF and ITU call signaling protocol standard for
softswitching. AFC will also add support for SIP.
Significantly,
AFC's AccessMAX has completed interoperability testing with
Nortel Networks' Succession Communication Server 2000
Softswitch. AFC said its AdvancedVoice GPE card is currently
being tested in Sprint's laboratories, in anticipation of
deployment within Sprint's Circuit-to-Packet (C2P) migration
program.
http://www.afc.com
