Agere Launches Converged Access Network Processors

Agere Systems unveiled a set of "TrueAdvantage" processor chips with advanced traffic management features aimed at next generation access equipment. The new Advanced PayloadPlus 300 (APP300) network processor chip and Link Layer Processor (LLP) chip are new devices that are the first of the family of TrueAdvantage solution elements from Agere aimed at supporting services such as higher quality standard and high-definition IPTV, mission-critical high-speed data, VoIP and multimedia mobile services.


The APP300 series targets a diverse range of access applications, enabling uplink rates that range from a few hundred Mbps up to 2 Gbps, whereas the company's APP500 series chips are widely used in 2.5 Gbps to 5 Gbps edge applications. Both use the same portable software, enabling equipment manufacturers to port code from existing edge equipment onto line-cards for new types of access equipment, including IP DSLAMs and multi-service access nodes (MSANs), wireless Node B/Base Transceiver Station (BTS) systems, wireless radio network controllers (RNCs), media gateways and access routers.


Agere's LLP terminates and aggregates packet and ATM protocols in a single device. The LLP consolidates five different functions into one chip: HDLC; ML-MC/PPP (multi-link, multi-class, point-to-point protocol); ATM TC/IMA (ATM transmission convergence and inverse multiplexing for ATM); AAL1 (ATM Adaptation Layer 1) and
T1/E1 Line Framing. Existing solutions require at least three separate chips to perform all five functions at the channel densities that LLP supports. Agere said its level of integration lowers system line card costs for manufacturers by approximately 40% and power consumption by 50%, down to as low as 2.8 watts. The device processes ATM cells and IP packets at speeds ranging from 8 Mbps to 155 Mbps. Applications include wireless 3G Node B/BTS base stations, wireless radio network controllers (RNCs), base station controllers (BSCs), media gateways, multi-service access nodes and access/edge routers.


Agere's APP300 and LLP families include multiple product versions and are scheduled to sample in Q2.
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