Sunday, June 20, 2010

Octasic Debuts Multi-Core DSP for Video Processing, Wireless Base Stations

Montreal-based Octasic introduced its second-generation, multi-core DSPs designed for media gateways, HD video processing and wireless systems.


The new OCT2200 series of devices, which initially pack 24 high performance cores on a single chip, leverage several innovations in DSP architecture to significantly reduce power consumption even at high levels of processing. Octasic calculates that devices based on its second generation of the Opus DSP core (Opus2) can deliver over 36 GMACs with less than 55 mW of power consumption per GMAC, under worst case process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) conditions. Some of these gains are achieved by implementing a unique token passing mechanism instead of the clock-tree structure in conventional DSPs. This eliminates state-elements and significantly boosts the efficiency of the DSP while bringing all the advantages of asynchronous circuits.


The first two members of the OCT2200 family are the OCT2224M for media processing and the OCT2224W for wireless baseband applications. Both incorporate 24 Opus2 DSP cores with various I/O interfaces and an optional ARM core. Targeted wireless applications include base-station products with single chip femtocell and picocell solutions, and multi-chip macrocells. Targeted media applications include: wireline and wireless media gateways; IP PBXs; audio/video transcoding gateways; High-Definition (HD) video conferencing and streaming; video surveillance Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), and medical imaging.


The performance of the OCT2224M device allows a complete encoding for two 1080p video streams simultaneously with no dedicated hardware acceleration in 3.5 Watts. The same device can process hundreds of channels simultaneously, allowing for any combination of bit-rates and resolutions, from QCIF up to HD. This flexible device provides support for all popular video codecs including MPEG-2, H.263, MPEG-4, H.264, VC-1 and VP8. The DSP also provide the ability to handle up to 800 voice channels.


The OCT2224W device can implement a complete multi-standard picocell that can provide LTE, WiMAX, HSPA+, EDGE, or any other commercial wireless standard. It can support up to 64 HSPA+ or LTE users on a single device. The OCT2224W performs LTE PHY and MAC for a 20MHz 2x2 BTS at an unprecedented 3 Watts. Octasic provides PHY software libraries that offer standard compliant GSM, EDGE, WCDMA, HSPA+, and LTE functionality. For example, an OCT2224W device can implement a complete multi-standard picocell that can provide LTE, WiMAX, HSPA+, EDGE, or any other commercial wireless standard on a single hardware platform.
http://www.octasic.com

Comcast Selects NDS for tru2way Implementations

Comcast has selected NDS as the Prime Integrator to assist with its deployment of tru2way enabled devices. Under this agreement, NDS' Professional Services Group will lead set-top box (STB) testing, code development and success validation for the integration of new tru2way applications and devices for Comcast. Financial terms were not disclosed.


"tru2way", which replaced the term "OpenCable Platform," enables consumers to access two-way digital cable programming without the need for a cable operator-supplied set-top box and is capable of supporting all cable services now delivered to devices currently leased to consumers as well as future services written to the tru2way technology. Major cable operators have committed to deploy support for the tru2way platform.


"We are committed to the Cable Labs Reference Implementation and its deployment on tru2way devices," said Mark Hess, SVP of Advanced Business and Technology Development at Comcast.
http://www.nds.com
http://www.comcast.com

Texas Instruments and Partners Demo 32-User Femtocell

Texas Instruments in collaboration with Azcom Technology and Nash Technologies have developed a 32-user femtocell solution. Earlier this year, the companies released a 3GPP voice and data physical layer reference stack for UMTS femtocell products designed for Release 6 and 7 compliance and based on TI's System-on-a-Chip (SoC) solutions.


This joint solution incorporates an integrated hardware reference design, including baseband and RF modules, together with a full Femto Forum compliant PHY layer. Nash and Azcom are also provide a complementary set of services including L2/L3 integration and certification, validation of the femtocell system by exploiting a complete test suite, covering all testing levels, from unit level up to end-to-end network level and user equipment IOT.
http://www.ti.com

Ozmo Samples 2nd Gen Low-Power Wi-Fi Silicon

Ozmo Devices, a start-up based in Palo Alto, California, has begun sampling its second generation OZMO2000 chip for Wi-Fi Personal Area Networks (Wi-Fi PANs). The Ozmo Wi-Fi solution, which is positioned as an alternative to Bluetooth or proprietary wireless dongles, is designed for use in Wi-Fi mouse, keyboard and remote control devices. The company calculates that its advanced power management features provide a battery life that is two to three times longer than Bluetooth.


Primax Electronics, a leading Taiwan-based mouse manufacturer, is the first ODM to offer their mouse designs with the OZMO2000. In addition NMB Technologies Corporation, one of the largest keyboard manufacturers in the world, has also selected the solution.


Ozmo's new silicon is the first to take advantage of Windows 7 SoftAP (Software-based Access Point) functionality to attach peripherals to personal computers. SoftAP is built into Windows 7 and allows Wi-Fi devices to connect directly to notebooks without the need for an access point.


"Microsoft Windows SoftAP functionality is a logo requirement for all Wi-Fi products under Windows 7," said Billy Anders, Group Program Manager for Windows Networking at Microsoft Corp. "Given the nearly 100% attach rate of Wi-Fi in notebooks, Ozmo's innovative solution adds new, low-power peripherals to any Windows 7-based notebook without increasing the platform cost. We are excited to see developers like Ozmo take advantage of this innovative Windows 7 feature to improve the customer experience."http://www.ozmodevices.com
  • Earlier this month, Ozmo Devices announced $10.8 million in Series D funding for its low-power Wi-Fi Personal Area Network (Wi-Fi PAN) solutions. Ozmo Devices' chipset enables low-power wireless peripherals like mice and headsets.


  • Earlier this year, Ozmo Devices named Bill McLean as president and CEO. . McLean was co-founder and CEO of GloNav, a fabless semiconductor company that manufactured GPS receivers for the cellular market. He successfully sold the company to NXP (part of ST Ericsson) for $110 million in 2008.

Polaris Wireless and Globecomm Partner on Managed E911 Phase II Services

Polaris Wireless, which supplies high-accuracy, software-based wireless location solutions, and Globecomm Systems announced a partnership designed to enable U.S. wireless operators to meet FCC E911 Phase II requirements. Globecomm is introducing a managed E911 Phase II service that leverages Polaris's E911 Phase II software solution for rapidly locating mobile-device users.


Globecomm provides range of hosted and managed communications services that leverage its satellite and terrestrial transmission capacity and a network of data center, content management and switching facilities. Globecomm will manage the E911 Phase II service from its network operations center in Hauppauge, N.Y. Polaris software will enable Globecomm GSM and CDMA hosted services customers to meet FCC Phase II requirements for providing real-time, highly precise location data to emergency responders when mobile-device users dial "911."


The Polaris solution requires no deployment of additional hardware by Globecomm or its customers; nor do the wireless operators have to make changes to their subscribers' handsets. The Globecomm managed E911 Phase II service will deliver complete network coverage and 100-percent service availability for its customers across their subscriber bases, as well as across 2G and 3G networks.


"This is an entirely new and critical distribution model for Polaris, as the partnership will expand our footprint to a much broader set of wireless operators who seek the simplicity and sustainable cost efficiency of Globecomm's value-added managed services," said Bhavin Shah, Director of Marketing and Business Development, Polaris Wireless. "We have a proven, high-accuracy location solution that 21 carriers and multiple law-enforcement agencies rely on around the world, but this partnership with Globecomm establishes the first managed E911 Phase II service based on Polaris technology."http://www.polariswireless.com
http://www.globecommsystems.com

MobileIron Offers Management Solution for iPhone 4 and iOS 4

MobileIron, a start-up based in Mountain View, California, is adding enterprise management support for iPhone 4 and iOS 4. Specifically, MobileIron's new application discovery, zero-touch security, and real-time cost control services leverage the APIs available with iPhone 4 and iOS 4, enabling organizations to secure and manage iOS 4 devices. Key capabilities include:


Application discovery: IT can publish a catalog of the company's in-house apps for users to download over-the-air, without iTunes required. Different enterprise apps can be made available for different users, based on policy. IT can now also maintain an accurate inventory of what apps are on what iPhones and restrict access to enterprise email if non-compliant apps are present.


Security: IT can now push profiles to iPhones without requiring any action on the part of the user. Certificates can be used to authenticate user and device identity. All devices accessing the enterprise can now be managed 24x7, with constant management connectivity. Modified iPhones can be kept out of the enterprise and all iPhones can be kept up-to-date and in-sync with corporate security policy.


Real-time cost control: IT can now monitor international roaming in real-time. Whenever an iPhone user travels to a new country, both the user and IT are notified to ensure that costs are tightly managed and service plans are appropriate.


"The heart of the iPhone is apps," said Bob Tinker, CEO of MobileIron. "With over 200,000 apps in the App Store, developers have proven the power of the iPhone platform to deliver apps that matter. With MobileIron for iOS 4, businesses can now take advantage of that same power to easily develop, secure, and publish their own in-house apps to their employees. iOS 4 is a watershed release for the industry that will catalyze mobile application development and shift the battle for the mobile enterprise from email to apps."


MobileIron's current suite of security and management functionality is available for iOS 4 at launch in June 2010. MobileIron's application discovery, zero-touch security, and real-time cost control features for iOS 4 will be available in calendar Q3.
http://www.mobileiron.com

Xilinx 7 series FPGAs Pack 2 Million Logic Cells in 28nm

Xilinx introduced its 7 series FPGAs boasting greater power efficiency and a capacity of up to 2 million logic cells on a unified architecture that scales across low-cost to ultra high-end applications, ranging from portable ultrasound equipment consuming less than 2 watts and automobile infotainment systems driven by 12 volts, as well as low-cost LTE baseband and femtocell base stations. The Virtex-7 family delivers a 2X system performance improvement at 50 percent lower power compared to Virtex-6 devices.


"The 7 series represents a new juncture for Xilinx, and the FPGA industry in general, as we bring our technology portfolio to new markets by putting a significant emphasis on lowering power consumption," said Xilinx President and CEO Moshe Gavrielov. "In addition to delivering what we and our customers expect from Moore's Law in terms of capacity and performance with each new generation, we continue our focus on opening programmable logic to a broader audience by delivering design platforms targeted toward the specific needs of new users and markets."


The 28nm families extend Xilinx's Targeted Design Platform strategy introduced with the company's 40nm Virtex-6 and 45nm Spartan-6 FPGA families, now in volume production.


Power efficiency is achieved by adopting a unique HKMG (high-K metal gate) process optimized for low static power consumption. The devices use the same logic architecture, Block RAM, clocking technology, DSP slices, and SelectIO technology and build on previous generations of devices delivered by Xilinx's patented Virtex series ASMBL block architecture.


Initial devices will be available in Q1 of CY2011.
http://www.xilinx.com/7

NSN Readies 400 Gbps Single Carrier Optical Transmission

Nokia Siemens Networks announced that its hiT 7300 DWDM platform will be ready for native 400 Gbps single carrier optical transmission by Q1 2011.


NSN will offer different muxponder cards to take advantage of this capacity, i.e. 10x40G and 4x100G muxed into a 400G wavelength.


The company's optical line system will have 96 channel capacity and when the single-carrier 400 Gbps capacity is introduced, the overall system capacity will be 38.4 Tbps (96 channels of 400G).


"Capacity demand in the backbone networks is increasing 60% per year," said Bernd Schumacher, head of Optical Networks at Nokia Siemens Networks. "As networks move from 40G to 100G optical transport, 400G is the next evolutionary step. Nokia Siemens Networks is ready to support this transition by enabling CSPs to start deploying 400G optimized optical networks."http://www.nsn.com

Wisconsin's Mosaic Telecom Offers 3G HSPA Femtocells to Subscribers

Mosaic Telecom, a rural service provider in Wisconsin, will is offering personal, mini, 3G base stations, connected via fixed broadband to its subscribers to support high-quality quad-play services and mobile broadband in their premises. Mosaic has selected Nokia Siemens Networks' 3GPP standard compliant femtocell network solution and Airvana's 3G HSPA femtocell to provide personalized 3G coverage.


Airvana's 3GPP Release 8 standards based femto CPE device integrates with the Nokia Siemens Networks 3G Femto Gateway, Operation and Maintenance Server (OMS) and Provisioning Manager. Nokia Siemens Networks' Value-Added Reseller (VAR), Pario Solutions, will commence the deployment of the solution in the third quarter of 2010.


"Femtocells ensure subscribers enjoy the best indoor mobile voice, video and data services, and help offload traffic from the broader 3G network," said Rick Vergin, chief executive officer of Mosaic Telecom. "In addition to securing higher customer satisfaction, we also expect this implementation to drive data traffic growth in the network, leading to increased average revenue per user (ARPUs)."http://www.nsn.com
http://www.airvana.com