Cavium Debuts LTE eNodeB and Packet Core Solutions using OCTEON

At last week's Mobile World Congress, Cavium Networks introduced its OCTEON multi-core MIPS64 processor solution for LTE eNodeB and Packet Core gateways. These solutions were developed in conjunction with Picochip, Continuous Computing (Trillium) and Tata Elxsi.


Cavium said its OCTEON solution offers a high-level of integration, including control processing, MAC layer acceleration, packet processing, DPI Routing, security processing at very low power. OCTEON also enables equipment manufacturers to achieve dramatic reduction in form factor by implementing Macro BTS in a 1U or 2U size, and RNC/Gateway in 4U size instead of large telecom shelfs.


3G/4G wireless COTS solutions are available from Cavium Networks and partners including Aricent, CCPU, D2 Technologies, Emerson, GE Fanuc, Interphase, Kontron, MontaVista, picoChip, RadiSys, Tata Elxsi, Wind River and others.


The new LTE femtocell reference design shown at Mobile World Congress, which was developed with Continuous Computing and picoChip, includes the LTE modem (PHY), radio frequency (RF) and packet processors, protocol software, intelligent router functionality and a complete Evolved Packet Core (EPC) simulator. The reference design consists of a microTCA system including a chassis with a picoChip modem, mezzanine RF card and Layer 1 physical layer (PHY) software, together with Cavium Networks' OCTEON Plus multi-core MIPS64 processor. Continuous Computing provides Trillium LTE Layer 2/3 protocols, the eNodeB reference application and a complete EPC Core Network Emulator (CNE). Continuous Computing's Trillium LTE eNodeB protocols have been optimized on Cavium's Simple Executive software environment.


"The demand for LTE femtocells is unquestionable. We are already seeing operators asking for small cell access points to start testing in the second half of this year. Femtocells represent the key to avoiding the difficulties surrounding the first 3G deployments where rollouts cost too much, took too long and did not meet user expectations," said Mike Dagenais, President and CEO, Continuous Computing.


Cavium also showcased a new DPI Software Toolkit for Evolved Packet Core applications. The DPI Protocol Software utilizes extensive hardware acceleration in OCTEON Plus Multi-core MIPS processors, NITROX DPI Processors and OCTEON II processors to deliver performance of up to 40Gbps. It can detect and analyze hundreds of widely used protocols, and can be dynamically updated in the field or at OEM customer for additional protocols. The DPI toolkit is targeted for manufacturers of networking, wireless and storage infrastructure equipment.
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