Monday, February 7, 2011

Cavium's NITROX DPI L7 "Bump in the Wire" Processor Hits 40 Gbps

Cavium Networks unveiled its next generation NITROX DPI II family of L7 content processors offering deep packet inspection across millions of definable rules at 40 Gbps.


The NITROX DPI II is a "bump-in--the-wire" single chip deep packet inspection processor designed for a range of enterprise, data center, and 3G/4G infrastructure equipment requiring fine grain content processing at wire speed. DPI processing enables advanced functions, such as protocol analysis, application recognition, intrusion prevention, anti-malware protection, URL Filtering, unified threat management, antivirus gateways, subscriber charging, application aware QOS and service level agreements, usage monitoring and preventing denial of service.


The new NITROX DPI II chip is enabled by Cavium's Hyper Finite Automata (HFA) engines and optimized TurboDPI software. It can be used in both inline and coprocessor modes. In coprocessor mode it connects over its in-built PCI Express interface to offload general purpose processors i.e. x86, MIPs or PowerPC based systems that lack such advanced hardware DPI engines.


The HFA engines in CN18XX family support highly complex rules and can process millions of rules without any performance impact. The NITROX DPI II family is fully software and rule syntax compatible with the DPI engines in Cavium's OCTEON II processor family and the NITROX DPI CN17XX family offering a wide variety of scalable and compatible system design options to customers.


"Our new NITROX DPI II product line further extends our reach into 'bump-in-the-wire' and coprocessor designs where power, space and real estate budget previously limited the ability to add complex deep packet inspection features," said Rajneesh Gaur, GM of the Coprocessors & Adapters Group, Cavium Networks. "Now OEMS building switches, routers and WAN appliances can more easily add DPI functionality."http://www.caviumnetworks.com

Qualcomm's FlashLinq Peer-to-Peer Targets Proximal Communications

Qualcomm is introducing "FlashLinq" technology that helps mobile users easily discover and establish peer-to-peer communications with others in close proximity. The idea is to let users continuously connect, disconnect and communicate directly with other mobile users at broadband speeds based on their physical proximity.


Qualcomm describes FlashLinq as a synchronous TDD OFDMA technology operating on dedicated licensed spectrum and distinguished by its high discovery range (up to a kilometer), discovery capacity (thousands of nearby devices) and distributed interference management. Users would communicate in a peer-to-peer link, without any intermediary radios, towers or switches. The company believes this technology will be complementary to the services offered by mobile operators.


"FlashLinq's direct discovery and distributed communications allows operators to naturally extend their cellular networks. The technology can efficiently support new and enhanced services in areas such as direct local advertising, geo-social networking and machine-to-machine communications," stated Ed Knapp, senior vice president of business development and engineering for Qualcomm. Qualcomm plans to collaborate with SK Telecom to trial FlashLinq in South Korea and explore potential commercial uses.
http://www.qualcomm.com

Qualcomm and Continuous Computing Team on 3G Femtocells

Qualcomm has selected Continuous Computing's Trillium wireless protocol software to support Qualcomm's Femtocell Station Modem (FSM) product line for 3G Wireless small cell products. The combined solution offers a quick time-to-market for low-power and high-capacity base stations for residential, enterprise and metro applications.
http://www.ccpu.com

AirWalk Raises $10 Million for Small Cell Radios

AirWalk Communications, a start-up based in Richardson, Texas, raised a further $10 million of Series B funding for its small cell radio products.


AirWalk offers a range of CDMA femtocells, enterprise femtocells, picocells, metrocells and microcells, with LTE products in the pipeline.


The new funding was led by Sevin Rosen and included investors: TL Ventures, Alta Berkeley, Duchossois Technology Partners and Nedelco Inc.
http://www.airwalkcom.com

FCC Proposes Reforms to USF and Intercarrier Compensation

The FCC proposed reforms to universal service and intercarrier compensation policies with a goal of transforming 20th century programs into a streamlined, efficient Connect America Fund that would help make broadband available and affordable to rural communities.


USF is intertwined with the complex system of payments between carriers called intercarrier compensation (ICC). The system is rooted in outdated distinctions between local and long-distance telephone service, and inefficient per-minute charges. ICC also suffers from loopholes that distort markets and derail investment in advanced Internet Protocol (IP) networks.


The NPRM proposes four key principles to guide reform:

  • Modernizing USF and ICC To Support Broadband Networks. Modernize and refocus USF and ICC to make affordable broadband available to all Americans and accelerate the transition from circuit-switched to IP networks, with voice ultimately one of many applications running over fixed and mobile broadband networks.


  • Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility. Control the size of USF as it transitions to support broadband by combating waste and inefficiency. The Commission recognizes that American consumers and businesses ultimately pay for USF.


  • Demanding Accountability. Require accountability from companies receiving support, to ensure that public investments are used wisely to deliver intended results. Government must also be accountable for the administration of USF, including through clear goals and performance metrics for the program.


  • Enacting Market-Driven and Incentive-Based Policies. Transition to market-driven and incentive-based policies that encourage companies to maximize the impact of scarce program resources and the benefits to all consumers.


The NPRM proposes immediate steps to cut waste, reward efficiency, and close loopholes. Long-term proposals call for simplifying and unifying USF into a single, streamlined Connect America Fund, and gradually eliminating per-minute intercarrier charges.

During the process launched today, the FCC will hold a series of public workshops on key issues in its reform proposals. These workshops, in addition to submissions of written comment, will provide ample opportunity for public input to improve and refine the proposals in the NPRM as the Commission moves toward an Order on these issues.

Specific proposals in the NPRM include:

Eliminate waste and inefficiency throughout the current program.

  • Transition funding for duplicative phone service by multiple phone companies operating in the same area to provide support where it's most needed.


  • Impose reasonable limits and guidelines for reimbursement to providers that have little incentive under our current subsidy system to operate efficiently.


  • Review continued need for funding mechanisms that have not been reevaluated in many years.


  • Use savings to spur investment in high-speed Internet in unserved areas.


  • Identify unserved areas using the forthcoming National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) national broadband map.


  • Create the Connect America Fund to quickly and efficiently deliver support to unserved areas.


  • Use market-based policies to support providers in a technology-neutral manner, targeting areas where broadband funding will have the biggest impact.


  • Ultimately, streamline and consolidate the five separate Universal Service Fund programs that support rural phone networks into the Connect America Fund. This will constrain spending and bring fixed and mobile broadband to unserved areas while preserving voice service for all, creating jobs and fueling economic growth.


Stimulate investment in broadband by reforming the Intercarrier Compensation system.


  • Eliminate wasteful billing disputes by closing loopholes and tightening rules to prevent "phantom traffic," which is traffic that has been disguised so it can't be identified for billing purposes.


  • Amend rules to reduce "traffic pumping," a practice that drains revenues from the system by exploiting existing rules to earn more intercarrier compensation. Reclaimed revenues could be invested in networks or used to reduce prices for consumers.


  • Gradually reduce per-minute Intercarrier Compensation charges. These charges create incentives for carriers to maintain legacy networks that maximize intercarrier revenues rather than investing in advanced, efficient IP-based infrastructure.


  • Develop a system to offset reductions in intercarrier rates, including, where necessary, support from the Connect America Fund.


Increase accountability for recipients and for government, and more effectively measure program performance.

  • Adopt clear performance goals and metrics for the Connect America Fund.

  • Require increased disclosures about the operating performance and financial condition of companies that receive universal service support.

  • Increase transparency, oversight, and accountability.
http://www.fcc.gov

NSN Pursues Mobile to Wi-Fi Offload Approach

At next week's Mobile World Congress, Nokia Siemens Networks is introducing a Smart WLAN Connectivity Solution that selectively offloads mobile broadband traffic to Wi-Fi without any break in service. The user would not need to manually switch a device's data connection between Wi-Fi and cellular broadband. The solution also allows operators to use the existing services and functionality supported by its packet core network such as authentication, charging, policy control and traffic management for both mobile and Wi-Fi traffic in a unified way.



The solution comprises of all the following elements:

  • Device management (SADM) automatically configures device settings for available networks. The settings also include Wi-Fi network selection policies, ensuring that the compatible devices connect automatically to the preferred Wi-Fi networks, whenever available.


  • Authentication and Identity management (One-AAA) authenticates the users' access to services via Wi-Fi networks. Supported SIM based authentication provides secure and transparent authentication method to the users, which doesn't require a code/password to be typed.


  • Flexi NG (Network Gateway) integrates Wi-Fi access with the mobile core network and enables them to work as one harmonized network.


  • Policy Control Server (PCS 5000) provides QoS and charging policies for both mobile and Wi-Fi accesses, enabling service authorization, bandwidth management and user prioritization according to operator needs and subscriptions.


"We all know that mobile data traffic is growing at an exponential rate due to the widespread adoption of smart phones, tablets and net books," said Thorsten Robrecht, head of network systems product management at Nokia Siemens Networks. "All these devices support Wi-Fi so integrating Wi-Fi with mobile networks can reduce the need for additional capacity in the wider mobile network, particularly, in traffic hotspot areas. People can enjoy a superior and seamless service without the hassle of having to choose among different networks and technologies, resulting in higher customer satisfaction and loyalty."

Nokia Siemens Networks' Smart WLAN Connectivity Solution will be available for commercial use in 1H 2011.http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

NSN Launches ATCA-based Open Core Hardware

Nokia Siemens Networks is launching an "Open Core" suite of all-IP hardware platforms based on off-the-shelf ATCA hardware.



Specifically, the Open Core System comprises of the Open MSS (mobile softswitch); Open MGW (multimedia gateway); Open IMS (IP multimedia subsystem); Open VoIP Server; Open PCS (policy control server); Open HSS (home subscriber server); Open SAM (signaling application manager); Flexi NS (network server incorporating serving GPRS support node and system architecture evolution gateway); Flexi NG (next generation, incorporating gateway GPRS support node and packet-switched gateway); and HLR (home location registry).



Nokia Siemens Networks said it is adopting the open ATCA hardware architecture to provide its carrier customers with more flexibility through hardware standardization. The new Open Core System are also expected to deliver higher processing capacity with smaller footprint and power requirements.



The other important aspect derived from the HW/SW decoupling is the possibility of redefining the function of the Open Core System units according to the traffic demand. This means that if an operator, for instance, experiences a decrease in mobile voice traffic and an increase in IMS traffic, the MSS blades can be reconfigured and transformed into IMS units, redistributing processing capacity according to the real domains. This is done by just updating the application software on the HW units.



"We are witnessing a steady growth in new smart devices that are being introduced in the market along with growing demand from end-users for advanced services," said Jukka Luoma, head of product management, voice & IP transformation at Nokia Siemens Networks. "Our Open Core System decouples application software from the underlying equipment, providing more flexibility to operators in adjusting their networks according to the demand. In addition, the use of a single, commercial, off the shelf platform for all core products brings efficiency gains for the operator that directly impact operational and capital costs."



Out of the overall suite, Open MSS will be the first to be shipped commercially in the first quarter of this year followed by Open MGW. Flexi NS and Flexi NG, which are also part of the portfolio, have been available since 2010.http://www.nsn.com http://www.picmg.org

FCC to Improve Industry Data Collection

The FCC is launching to programs to ensure that it collects the data it needs to make sensible policy, streamlines its data collection program, and eliminates unneeded data collections that impose unnecessary burdens on filers. The reforms include the elimination of 20-year-old requirements for certain telephone companies to submit what is known as comparably efficient interconnection and open network reporting data (CEI/ONA), which may no longer be necessary because of subsequent policy decisions.http://www.fcc.gov

Octasic Offers HSPA+ Solution for Femtocells and Picocells

Octasic announced a low cost, low power integrated solution for femtocells and picocells. This latest Layer 1 firmware release runs on Octasic's previously announced OCT2224W SoC, based on its second generation asynchronous Opus2 DSP core, and is able to process up to 64 HSPA+ users on a single device. The solution will support indoor enterprise femtocells, indoor high capacity femtocells and picocells, outdoor picocells, and microcells.



"With this latest PHY release for the OCT2224W, Octasic provides a one-stop shop for a SoC and baseband software solution for OEMs who want to quickly enter the fast growing compact multi-standard picocell market," said Emmanuel Gresset, vice president of software defined radio (SDR) at Octasic. "The network topology paradigm shift to picocells is driven by the urgent need to improve coverage of existing 2G and 3G networks and create data capacity for new 3.5G and 4G networks."http://www.octasic.com

Mavenir Selects RadiSys' ATCA and Media Server Platforms

Mavenir Systems has selected RadiSys' AdvancedTCA (ATCA) and Media Server platforms to increase service development and deployment on carrier grade platforms, which are already accepted by Tier 1 and Tier 2 mobile operators globally.



Mavenir and RadiSys also announced a partnership, as part of the RadiSys Alliance Partner Program (RAPP), to deliver an integrated 3G/4G/LTE mobile services platform.
http://www.radisys.com http://www.mavenir.com

Continuous Computing and TI Partner on 3G and LTE Base Stations

Texas Instruments has chosen Continuous Computing's Trillium protocol software and professional services for integration into its 3G and LTE base station products. The resulting collaboration enables Texas Instruments to combine the portable Trillium software with its own Layer 1/PHY software, Layer 2 acceleration engine and TMS320TCI6616 base station system-on-chip (SoC), optimizing its access point products and delivering customized solutions to market quickly.



Trillium LTE and 3G base station software suite supports both 3G HSPA+ and LTE base station infrastructure requirements, including standards-based protocols starting with the latest 3GPP Rel-9 standards.http://www.ccpu.com

Ericsson Pushes 40 Gbps WDM-PON

With an eye towards mobile backhaul and other demanding applications,Ericsson is scaling PON-based fiber access networks to 40 Gbps using Wavelength Division Multiplexing Passive Optical Network (WDM-PON) technology. The capability is being added to the EA 1100 platform, which is a result of a joint venture with LG-Ericsson.



Ericsson also announced several GPON enhancements, including a new 16-port GPON OLT board now enables broadband services to more than 14,000 FTTH GPON subscribers in a single EDA 1500 chassis.



Ericsson is also introducing an Integrated TDM Gateway (ITG) board to the EDA 1500, enabling a converged platform for packet and TDM services across fixed enterprise and mobile applications. The ITG terminates and aggregates E1 services across multiple GPON ports at the OLT for STM-1 connectivity to existing TDM networks. This simplifies the network and substantially improves an operator's total cost of ownership.



Last, Ericsson is further expanding its EDA portfolio with the T780G Optical Network Unit (ONU). This GPON-fed modular ONU provides flexibility for operators delivering ADSL2+, VDSL2, POTS, E1 and Ethernet services to both business and residential users. The T780G enables operators to support dense areas with different service requirements without rewiring buildings. The ONU is part of Ericsson's T-series of optical terminals which provides maximum flexibility to deploy deep fiber access networks.http://www.ericsson.com

Ericsson Debuts Antenna Integrated Radio (AIR)

Ericsson is introducing an antenna integrated radio (AIR) solution supporting 3G and 4G and promising significant energy savings. The compact, multi-standard solution ensures highly efficient and smooth introduction of new technologies. A new standard or a new frequency band can easily be introduced by simply adding AIR and swapping the existing antenna. Field trials have already shown a reduction of integration and installation time of up to 30 percent compared to traditional site solutions. The field trial also demonstrated that the solution provides reduced power consumption of up to 42 percent, mainly due to reduced feeder loss and simplified cooling.

The new radio design is the result of a partnership between Ericsson and the antenna market leader Kathrein.

The AIR solution will be commercially available in the second half 2011 and will contribute to a sustainable world and a profitable mobile network. http://www.ericsson.com