West Bay rolls virtual concatenation data framer

West Bay Semiconductor Inc. has introduced the WB4500 48-channel multi-protocol virtual concatenation data framer for 2.5Gbps and 622Mbps next-generation SONET/SDH systems.

Through 48 separate logical channels, the device offers simultaneous, multi-protocol processing and mapping for TDM and key data transmission protocols including ATM, POS, GFP and LAPS. This allows equipment manufacturers to develop single box solutions targeting multiple geographic markets and applications.

Key applications for the WB4500 include Ethernet over SONET/SDH systems, multi-service provisioning platforms, routers, switches, access concentrators, add/drop multiplexers and DWDM systems.

Implemented via 0.145m CMOS process, the IC supports TUG-3 mapping functionality to enable SDH virtual concatenation at the VC-3-Xv (51Mbps) level, thereby increasing bandwidth allocation efficiency. TUG-3 also enables the mapping of DS-3 into SDH networks.

The IC also offers hardware hooks to insert and extract the LCAS control packets allowing for on-demand provisioning of bandwidth. It also maps both frame-mapped and transparent GFP.

The chip also features CDR units in the OC-12/STM-4 mode to eliminate the need for external components in 622Mbps applications.

Additional interfaces include the SPI-3/UL-3 32-bit, 104MHz cell/packet systems interface and a redundant 4-by-622Mbps serial add/drop bus interface, which allows the user to connect to external PDH mappers or to proprietary mapping devices.

The 31-by-31mm, 841-pin FCBGA device also includes SONET/SDH framing, full overhead processing, alarm detection, performance monitoring, line and path bit error rate monitoring, and complete STS-1/VC-3 timeslot interchange that supports traffic grooming and automatic protection switching.

It also incorporates the company's automatic online error recognition technology (ALERT), an on-line fault detection feature that ensures user traffic integrity in the entire datapath.

Pricing for the WB4500 starts at $450 in volume quantities.