Video: Energy Efficient Ethernet -- The Drive to Low-power Networking

In this 8-minute video, Vitesse's Brian Jaroszewski and Dinesh Kannapan discuss the growing cumulative power demands of networks and how the IEEE's 802.3az standard paves the way for a new generation of Energy Efficient Ethernet. Vitesse's EcoEthernet pushes the efficiency gains even further with additional power saving techniques.

http://www.convergedigest.com

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SiTime High Performance MEMS Differential Oscillators

SiTime introduced a set of high performance differential oscillators with 10 PPM stability and only 500 femtoseconds of jitter and targeted at high performance telecom, storage and networking applications such as core and edge routers, SATA / SAS / FibreChannel host bus adapters, cloud storage, servers, wireless base stations and 10Gb Ethernet switches.


The SiT9121and SiT9122 MEMS oscillators can be custom configured and use industry-standard footprints, enabling easy replacement of quartz differential oscillators without any design or layout changes.


"Traditional differential oscillators that are based on legacy quartz, SAW and overtone technology have inherent limitations in stability and reliability,�? said Piyush Sevalia, vice president of marketing at SiTime. “The new SiT912x differential oscillators offer a unique combination of ultra performance and programmable features that were developed with SiTime's analog CMOS and all-silicon MEMS technology. Our breakthrough products render traditional oscillators obsolete, and accelerate the electronics industry's usage of MEMS oscillators.�?


Key features:

• 500 femtoseconds of integrated RMS phase jitter (12 kHz to 20 MHz) to meet the stringent requirements of applications such as SONET


• ±10, ±25, and ±50 PPM total frequency stability for better system timing margin


• Wide frequency range: 1 to 220 MHz for SiT9121 and 220 to 650 MHz for SiT9122


• Programmable frequency with 6 decimal places of accuracy, ensuring the highest system performance


• Configurable LVPECL and LVDS signaling levels


• 50,000 g shock and 70 g vibration resistance, along with 500 million hours MTBF for high reliability applications


• Operating voltage of 2.5V or 3.3V


• Industrial (-40 to +85°C) and extended commercial (-20 to +70°C)


• Industry standard footprints in 5.0x3.2mm and 7.0x5.0mm packages


• Sample shipments in 48 hours and production lead time of 3-5 weeks.

http://www.sitime.com

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AT&T Teams with Harris on Public Safety LTE

AT&T and Harris announced an alliance to develop and deliver next generation public safety LTE solutions.
The companies are exploring opportunities to provide first responders with broadband and mission critical communications systems that will enable high-speed video and data solutions.


AT&T and Harris would bring extensive experience supporting public safety and government customers. Key deliverables would include:

• A unified experience driven by integration of broadband and narrowband Land Mobile Radio (LMR) networks



• Multiple business models to fit agencies' needs and resources – from complete end-to-end network solutions to a subscriber-based model



• Seamless roaming and nationwide interoperability using AT&T's 4G network when outside the public safety LTE network coverage area



• Handheld, vehicle-mounted and peripheral LTE-compatible devices



• Mission-critical broadband applications



• Seamless access to both private and public networks for public safety agencies



• Network management, applications and support systems



• Integrated Broadband/Project 25 infrastructure and devices.

"This alliance is a first step toward making next-generation technology and services available to agencies who seek competitive options," said Chris Hill, AT&T Vice President of Advanced Business Solutions. "It's the beginning of a public safety ecosystem of open devices and applications interoperable with private broadband networks, as they become available." http://www.harris.com

• In August, Harris Corporation, in partnership with Nokia Siemens Networks, has provided its 700 MHz LTE public safety network infrastructure to the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) testing lab in Boulder, Colorado. The solution is now operational within the 700 MHz Public Safety Broadband Demonstration Network. Harris noted that its 700 MHz LTE network support a wide range of existing and emerging high-bandwidth applications such as streaming video, advanced situational awareness and PTT (Push To Talk) voice-over-broadband features. The networks also provide users with priority and Quality of Service (QoS) controls, user authentication and air link encryption, advanced load balancing and Self-Optimizing Network Management.

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AT&T Notes Soaring Wi-Fi Offloads, Acquires Superclick

AT&T Wi-Fi connections nearly tripled (up more than 282 percent) in Q3 to 301.9 million versus connections made in the third-quarter 2010. Users now make 100 million AT&T Wi-Fi connections per month. AT&T also saw data carried on its Wi-Fi network more than double versus the third-quarter 2010.


AT&T currently has more than 29,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in operation. Smartphone users can connect to these hotspots automatically at no extra cost.


"The accelerating growth in connections and usage on our Wi-Fi network shows what we've known all along: Customers want to connect wherever they are, from any device, in a fast, reliable and convenient way,�? said Angie Wiskocil, senior vice president, AT&T Wi-Fi Services. “Consumers and businesses understand the numerous benefits in using and offering Wi-Fi in more places. By investing in our network and expanding our Wi-Fi footprint, we will continue to be the leader in Wi-Fi services."




AT&T also announced plans to acquire Montreal-based Wi-Fi management services provider Superclick for an undisclosed sum. Superclick Networks is the management solution provider for hospitality Internet network services. The company also supplies a standalone a wireless and wired IP network management and Internet gateway solution. AT&T said the acquisition enables it to expand its services and platforms to deliver premium services in the high-end hospitality sector, domestically and internationally. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter. Superclick's customers include Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Marriott International, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Kimpton Hotels, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts as well as leading ownership and management groups. http://www.att.conhttp://www.superclick.com

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Ceragon Debuts Backhaul solution for Ethernet and IP/MPLS

Ceragon Networks introduced a wireless backhaul solution optimized for Ethernet & IP/MPLS aggregation networks.


The new FibeAir IP-10Q can deliver up to 4 Gbps of traffic and support up to four carriers in a single rack unit. It leverages an innovative frame cut-through technology that provides extremely low latency for delay-sensitive applications, with up to 70% reduction in frame delay compared to other available solutions. Ceragon said its device enables operators to meet strict subscriber service level agreement (SLA) requirements through its no single point of failure (SPoF) design, and is optimized for migration from SONET/SDH aggregation networks to packet networks.


"As 4G/LTE networks rollout intensifies, operators must be ready to deal with the oncoming flood of data across their entire network,�? said Hagai Zyss, EVP and GM of Short-Haul Solutions Group at Ceragon Networks. “The FibeAir IP-10Q offers operators the end-to-end wireless backhaul capacity management necessary to build out tomorrow's aggregation networks. This newest device in the FibeAir IP-10 series provides even more ways to tailor backhaul solutions and increase network scalability to match our customers' needs and reduce their dependency on fiber."


Key Features:

• Highest possible capacity and efficiency at any channel bandwidth


• Up to 1 Gbps of IP traffic on a single radio channel


• High radio density - up to 4 carriers in 1 radio unit with built-in redundancy


• Optimized for Ethernet & IP/MPLS aggregation networks


• Enhanced compression technology for capacity acceleration


• Seamless replacement path of existing network elements and easy upgrade from multi-carrier systems


• Network Management System (NMS) with full FCAPS including end-to-end Ethernet service management.

http://www.ceragon.com

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Texas Instruments Focuses on Nano Power Energy Harvesting

Texas Instruments introduced its next generation of power management integrated circuits (ICs) for energy harvesting, potentially opening the door for self-powered devices, such as wireless sensors in Smartgrid, industrial, security, medical, agriculture, and structural monitoring applications.


TI said its new, highly efficient boost charger for nano (ultra low) power energy harvesting can manage the microwatts to milliwatts of power generated from a number of sources, such as solar, thermoelectric, electromagnetic and vibration, and store the extracted energy in various storage elements, including Li-ion batteries and super capacitors. The new device also includes circuitry to protect the energy storage element from over voltage and under voltage conditions and to kick-start the system when the battery is deeply discharged.


TI calculates that in a solar panel powering a handheld device that is operating in indoor light conditions, for example, the new boost charger increases the usable harvested energy by 30 to 70 percent compared to a linear regulator.


"Wireless sensor networks have been limited in their penetration due to the cost associated with maintaining and replacing the batteries within sensor nodes," said Sami Kiriaki, senior vice president over TI's Power Management business. "With the bq25504 boost charger, the nodes can power autonomously, which can reduce the operating cost and thereby make ultra low-power wireless sensor networks cost-effective in more applications, such as industrial monitoring of hazardous or restricted areas." http://www.ti.com/

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Motorola Solutions Readies its Public Safety LTE Solution

Motorola Solutions will begin shipping its first Public Safety LTE solution on Nov. 11, 2011 (11/11/11).
The commercial release builds on the company's alliances with Ericsson and Verizon Wireless.


This Public Safety LTE solution will support a host of public safety applications such as Motorola's PremierOne and other computer-aided dispatch (CAD), real-time video streaming, tactical collaboration, dynamic mapping and routing, and in-field reporting as well as push-to-talk and voice telephony.


Motorola also noted the following:

The first release of Public Safety LTE will prioritize bandwidth on standards-based LTE depending on the responder's agency, role and applications being used.


Ericsson provides LTE radio access and packet core networks with field-proven stability, throughput, and latency – key factors for Public Safety workers.


The Ericsson LTE eNodeB equipment, RBS 6000, included in Motorola's Public Safety LTE solution complies with 3GPP Release 9, exceeding the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Public Safety Communications Research Program (PSCR) mandate of 3GPP Release 8.


The Motorola and Verizon Wireless alliance will enable first responders to realize connectivity to their services on both the Motorola Public Safety LTE network and nationwide Verizon Wireless' 3G/4G network.


Motorola has publicly announced three Public Safety LTE projects: San Francisco Bay Area; Harris County, Texas; and the state of Mississippi. http://portal.motorolasolutions.com/portal/site/NGPS

• In August, Motorola introduced two LTE devices aimed at public safety applications. The VML700 LTE Vehicle Modem connects equipment in the patrol car, fire apparatus, or command vehicle to Band Class 14 LTE networks. The solid state device can also connect to EVDO and WiFi networks. It is built to withstand heat, cold, rain, dust, humidity and vibration.
  
  
  The UM1000 USB LTE Modem plugs into a USB port to allow laptops or mobile computers access to a Public Safety LTE network.

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Alvarion Moves into Indoor DAS Solutions

Alvarion introduced its new BreezeCELL solution for indoor coverage. The new system leverages a unique flat architecture supporting multi-technology, single cable MIMO and much more. The solution's remote unit is all-inclusive with an antenna inside, which reduces installation complexity and helps reduce CAPEX.



“We believe that current and future DAS deployments are all about data capacity. To meet customer expectations, operators have to consider LTE, MIMO, additional sectors and device-to-base station quality of connectivity,�? commented Ron Agam, General Manager, Wireless Capacity and Coverage, Alvarion. “We have designed TrueActive technology to tackle this challenge." http://www.alvarion.com

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Netflix Loses 800K Subscribers in Q3

Netflix ended Q3 with 23.79 million unique U.S. subscribers, down from its peak of 24.59 million at the end of Q2 2011. Profits increased for the quarter, but due its recent price hike and subsequent shift and then reversal of marketing strategy, Netflix expects subscriptions, revenue and profits to be lower in Q4 and that the company may become unprofitable in Q1 2012 as it makes its market debut in the UK and Ireland. http://www.netflix.com

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