Digital subscriber line (DSL) technology provides the greatest percentage of broadband access in the world, with a market share exceeding 60%. As carriers roll out the faster ADSL2/2+/2++ systems, DSL is hard pressed to deal with the growing need for greater speeds as well as the new Voice over Internet Protocol and Internet Protocol TV services.
Enter the still faster very high-data-rate DSL (VDSL) and VDSL2 (see "ADSL/ VDSL Micro-Primer" at www.electronicdesign.com, Drill Deeper 13265). Centillium Communications' Arion chip set implements VDSL2 for central-office (CO) access hardware and customer premise equipment (CPE).
These chips will help DSLAM equipment and set-top box manufacturers take advantage of the 100-Mbit/s symmetrical data rates as well as the new standard's 60% longer reach. Fully compatible with the ITU-T G.993.2 standard, the CO chip set has programmable 8.5-, 12-, 17.6-, and 30-MHz band plans. It supports an aggregate data rate of over 270 Mbits/s per port. It's dynamically configurable for asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) or packet transfer mode (PTM). And, the symbol rate is selectable (4 or 8 kHz).
The CPE two-chip set consists of the digital baseband and the analog front end (AFE), and it has all the same basic specs and features as the CO chip set. The chips seamlessly interface with one another and other networking chips in Centillium's product lineup, such as the Colt, Atlanta, and Mustang.
These chips will enable enhanced DSL systems worldwide to address the growing triple-play plans of most carriers. These chips also should find their way into last-mile connections for some of the new passive optical networks (PONs) now being built as well as in multidwelling units.
Arion evaluation systems are now available. For information about pricing, contact the company.
Centillium Communications
www.centillium.com
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