Wednesday, June 2, 2004

Dune Networks Debuts Traffic Manager Chip

Dune Networks, a start-up based in Sunnyvale, California with R&D in Israel, released a 20Gbps and a 10Gbps full-duplex traffic manager device as part of its Scalable Architecture of Networking Devices (SAND) chipset architecture. The devices feature one or two SPI4.2 interfaces and a switch fabric interface.



Dune Networks said its traffic manager devices provide a unique ability to interconnect and communicate via the fabric interface allows any system of any size to provide end-to-end rate and weight guarantees for packet flows. Such an arrangement enables end-to-end rate guarantees of packet flows across a complete system and not just locally within a line card. This scheme enables the system to provide specific Committed Information Rate (CIR) and Peak Information Rate (PIR/EIR) for a packet flow from an ingress port (e.g. access port) to an egress port (e.g. uplink port). http://www.dunenetworks.com/
  • In October 2002, Dune Networks unveiled its Scalable Architecture for Networking Devices (SAND) chipset designed to extend the product lifecycle of telecom equipment to 7-10 years. Dune's SAND chipset provides a non-blocking switching fabric, ingress/egress traffic management and scheduling. The design allows equipment to scale in terms of port rates, port densities and service types, without requiring changes to the core switching fabric and traffic management functions. At the rate level, pipe rates scale from 10Gbps to 40Gbps, 100Gbps and beyond, all interconnecting through the same fabric. At the pipe count level, the number of pipes in the system scale from a single pipe to tens, hundreds and up to 2048 pipes. Dune Networks said its scheduled-fabric chipset would be able to provide backwards and forwards compatibility for diverse services, including TDM, ATM and Ethernet.

SAIC to Resell Vocera's Voice over Wi-Fi Solutions

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) will distribute and resell Vocera Communications' Voice over Wi-Fi solutions, which target mobile personnel in hospitals, retail operations, government facilities, and other in-building environments. The Vocera Communications System consists of Vocera Server Software, residing on a customer server, and Vocera Communications Badges, which operate over a wireless LAN (802.11b). With simple voice commands, Vocera instantly connects people to other people or groups.



In November 2003, the U.S.S. Coronado (AGF 11), the U.S. Navy's sea-based battle lab, installed the Vocera Communications System to facilitate instant communication among select members. This was the first military installation for the company. http://www.vocera.com

Powell Looks to Wireless to Boost Competition in Broadband

"Wireless broadband can bring much needed competition to existing DSL and cable-modem service," said FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell, speaking at the Wireless Communications Association (WCA) conference in Washington, D.C.. Powell is looking for wireless alternatives to drive down the price of broadband services and expand access to underserved areas. He said the FCC is working hard to develop new rules allowing more efficient and productive use of the spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band, much of which is currently underutilized. Two key aspects of the FCC policy are allowing for the creation of secondary markets for licensed spectrum and encouraging innovation in unlicensed bands, especially with smart radio technology. http://www.fcc.gov

Siemens Signs its 30th 3G contract -- Italy's Wind

Italian telecom operator Wind has selected Siemens mobile to supply and install 3G/UMTS network infrastructure and radio base stations. In addition, Siemens will also optimize Wind's existing mobile network and replace some of its present equipment. The first phase of the agreement will run for three years and involve a total business volume of more than EUR 300 million. Siemens is now supplying three of Italy's four mobile operators with 3G/UMTS network technology.



Siemens said the deal marks its 30th 3G contract worldwide. http://www.siemens.com

Alcatel Supplies Wireless Broadband to Zimbabwe

Alcatel Shanghai Bell will provide an LMDS wireless broadband data network to Zimbabwe Broadlands Networks Ltd, a new private telecom operator. The Alcatel LMDS network is the first of its kind to be deployed in the country and will connect the capital city of Harare with the country's second largest city, Bulawayo. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.alcatel.com

T-Mobile to Offer Wi-Fi in Hyatt Hotels

T-Mobile, which operates the largest carrier-owned Wi-Fi network in the U.S. with 4,600 hotspots, announced a deal with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts. By the end of 2004, T-Mobile HotSpot is planned to be available in the lobby and other public areas at most Hyatt Hotels and Resorts in the United States, as well as in select guest rooms. http://www.t-mobile.com

Verizon Wireless Selects Spirent's Application Test Platform

Verizon Wireless has selected Spirent Communications' APEX C2K Applications Performance Test Platform to verify the performance and reliability of resident and downloadable software applications for 3G wireless handsets. Spirent said CDMA handset testing is evolving from minimum performance and interoperability testing to more advanced application performance and end-user experience testing. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.spirentcom.com

Digital Lightwave Expands its SONET Test Capabilities

Digital Lightwave announced the simultaneous and independent testing of multiple tributaries within a SONET stream as an additional feature to the NIC Plus Embedded-Platform. This enables a user to test various combinations of STS-12, STS-3, STS-1 and DS3 tributaries embedded within a single higher-speed SONET optical carrier (OC-3/12/48) stream. Each test is bidirectional (transmit and receive), simultaneous and independent. http://www.lightwave.com

White Rock Networks Adds VT Grooming to SONET Transport

White Rock Networks announced the addition of VT1.5 grooming functionality to its VLX2020 SONET transport platform. In addition to VLX2020's existing 100Gb STS-1 grooming fabric, carriers will now be able to specify either 2.5Gb or 5Gb of VT1.5 grooming capability allowing them to manage traffic down to the T1 level. The new VT1.5 grooming capability is integrated directly onto the VLX2020's main control card allowing VT grooming to be added without taking up valuable I/O slots and allowing carriers to maximize the services they can deliver with a single system.



White Rock said the addition of VT1.5 grooming when coupled with other VLX2020 features -- such as integrated test access, test pattern generation, flexible transmux capabilities and support for multiple optical rings -- will allow carriers to not only optimize their transport bandwidth but also provide 3/1 DCS (Digital Cross-Connect System) features in a highly modular package. http://www.whiterock.com

TI and ST Begin Sampling cdma2000 1xEV-DV Solution

Texas Instruments and STMicroelectronics are sampling the industry's first standard cdma2000 1xEV-DV solution. The 1xEV-DV standard provides very efficient, high-speed packet data capabilities with typical sector throughput ranging from 420 kbps to 1.7 Mbps and peak data rates up to 3.1 Mbps. The solution, the first in a planned portfolio of 1xEV-DV products from TI and ST, will support the 1xEV-DV Release C standard to meet immediate market requirements. Release C is the first stage of the 1xEV-DV standard to be commercialized and provides communication enhancements from the base station to the handset.



The solution includes the digital baseband and radio frequency (RF) receiver and transmitter ICs supplied by TI and the integrated analog baseband and power management device supplied by ST. It also includes TI's protocol stack, comprehensive set of embedded wireless services, tools and technical support. It interfaces with ST's Nomadik or TI's OMAP application processors to support high-performance multimedia applications and advanced mobile operating systems such as Symbian OS, Microsoft's Windows Mobile, and Linux. In addition, modular technologies available from TI and ST -- including wireless LAN, Bluetooth, camera modules and Flash memories -- will all enhance the ability of manufacturers to easily differentiate their products. http://www.st.com/cdmahttp://www.ti.com/cdmasolutions
  • TI and ST first announced their intention to enter the cdma2000 market in May 2003.

Agere Enables 2GB Storage in Portable Devices

Agere Systems is supplying its TrueStore read-channel storage integrated circuits (ICs) to Cornice for use in its 2.0-gigabyte Storage Element (SE). Packed into a low-cost, half-cubic-inch package, the SE requires only one-fourth of the components of miniaturized magnetic disk drives, and offers the durability and extended battery life typically enjoyed by solid-state storage media. The miniaturized storage could be used in a wide array of portable, consumer electronic deviceshttp://www.agere.com

Leap Wireless Names Former Verizon Exec as CEO

San Diego-based Leap Wireless International announced the appointment of William Freeman as CEO of its operating subsidiary, Cricket Communications. Freeman previously served as president of Verizon Public Communications Group, a business unit of Verizon Communications focused on payphones, prepaid programs, long distance and other services. Prior to joining Verizon, from 1974 to 2000 Freeman held various leadership positions at Bell Atlantic Corporation, including president and CEO of Bell Atlantic, Washington D.C. and of Bell Atlantic, New Jersey.


Cricket provides wireless service in 39 markets across the U.S. http://www.leapwireless.com/

BBN Develops Quantum Cryptography Network

BBN Technologies has built what it describes as "the world's first quantum cryptography network." The DARPA Quantum Network, which links BBN's campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Harvard University and soon Boston University, uses quantum cryptography to provide extremely high-levels of security for Internet traffic.



Quantum cryptography, invented by Charles Bennett and Giles Brassard in the 1980s, prepares and transmits single photons of light, through either fiber optic cable or the atmosphere, to distribute cryptographic keys that are used to encrypt and decrypt messages. BBN said this method of securing information is radically different from methods based on mathematical complexity, relying instead on fundamental physical laws. Because very small (quantum) particles are changed by any observation or measurement, eavesdropping on a quantum cryptography system is always detectable.



BBN is developing protocols to pave the way for robust quantum networks on a larger scale by providing "any to any" networking of quantum cryptography through a mesh of passive optical switches and cryptographic key relays.



"People think of quantum cryptography as a distant possibility," said Chip Elliott, a Principal Scientist at BBN and leader of its quantum engineering team, "but the DARPA Quantum Network is up and running today underneath Cambridge. http://www.bbn.com
  • In February 2004, two prominent venture capital firms acquired the legendary BBN development labs from Verizon. General Catalyst Partners, a private equity firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Accel Partners, a venture capital firm based in Palo Alto, California, said the deal would allow BBN to continue its legacy of innovation and technology leadership. Financial terms were not disclosed.

  • BBN was founded in 1948 by MIT professors Richard Bolt and Leo Beranek, along with Robert Newman, with a vision of starting a small, acoustical consulting firm. The company is best know for its pioneering work with the ARPANET (the forerunner of today's Internet) in 1969. It is also credited with the first implementation of packet switching (1969), the first router (1976), and the first network e-mail (1971), which established the @ sign as an icon for the digital age. BBN is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.