High-Density Switch

Promises 12 times the channel density of general-purpose DSP-based alternatives, easing high-density Voice over IP (VoIP) deployment for ISPs, DLECs, and CLECs.

by Wayne Kawamoto

VxTel recently announced its fully-programmable voice signal processor - the VX-SP1000 for carrier-class, super-switches in next-generation packet networks. The VX-SP1000 is the first product in the company's planned family of Carrier Communications Processors that are being developed for broadband telecommunication applications that include voice, fax, data, DSL, wireless, and video.

According to the company, the products employ a unique digital signal processing (DSP) architecture, and the VX-SP1000 offers up to 12 times the channel density of general-purpose DSP-based alternatives commonly used in Voice over IP (VoIP) applications.

The company claims that each VX-SP1000 can process up to 240 G.711 uncompressed channels or 120 G.729A compressed channels. Also, each channel is supposed to include 64 ms tail-length echo cancellation as well as key telephony functionality, such as comfort-noise generation, voice-activity detection, and DTMF tone detection and generation.

The VX-SP1000 integrates optimized toll-grade voice processing firmware for industry-standard voice codecs such as G.711, G.729A, G.723.1, G.726, full fax support, along with software for echo cancellation; fax/data tone detection and forwarding; CNG, VAD and silence suppression; TIA 464 DTMF detection and generation and jitter buffer regulation. VxTel also provides the VX-SP1000 Messaging Protocol (VSMP) layer for configuring the chip.

The company says that the voice signal processor, which is based on a fully programmable and scalable architecture, may be configured to meet evolving communication standards and software upgrades in the field. Also, the company claims that the integrated on-chip memory and the small footprint package will save valuable power and real estate, and results in one of the highest channel density per square inch in the industry.

Target market segments are carrier-class voice over packet, including voice over IP, voice over ATM, and voice over frame relay gateways and classless switches, as well as VoDSL and voice over cable gateways, wireless base stations and IP PBXs.

"Now, data-based ISPs and CLECs can offer VoIP on their managed network as seamless as their data offering," said Shri Dodani, president and CEO. "This approach allows ISPs and CLECs to incrementally add new services to acquire new customers and retain existing customers with better margins."

Pricing and availability
The general samples for VX-SP1000 will be available in Q4, 2000. Pricing will be $650 in quantities of 1,000.

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