Major DSL suppliers back DMT line code for VDSL

Eleven DSL semiconductor and system vendors have supported a discrete multi-tone (DMT) modulation as the line code for standard-compliant very-high-bit-rate digital subscriber lines (VDSL).

The members of this vendor group, who supply the dominant share of ADSL ports shipped worldwide, have helped paved the way for seamless migration to VDSL broadband access. The supporting companies include Alcatel, Analog Devices Inc., Broadcom Corp., Ericsson, Ikanos Communications, Intel Corp., LSI Logic Corp., Nokia, STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments Inc., and Thomson Multimedia.

DMT is the most widely deployed DSL line code, with more than 36 million ADSL lines deployed worldwide at the end of 2002, according to a study by Point Topic. Extending DMT capabilities from ADSL to VDSL sets the stage for a multi-DSL infrastructure capable of providing a wide range of services from Internet access and packet telephony to high-quality digital video. The unified line code approach also supports evolution toward a strong retail model for universal DSL.