Solution targets next-gen SONET/SDH platforms

PMC-Sierra Inc. has introduced the PM5336 ARROW 2488, a feature-rich, high-capacity single-chip solution that combines multirate SONET/SDH framers, non-blocking STS/AU and VT/TU cross-connect, and best-in-class backplane Serdes for next-generation compact and scalable chassis-based SONET/SDH platforms.

Carriers are driving the adoption of converged networks to more effectively manage both new Ethernet services and existing T1/E1 services over the established SONET/SDH infrastructure. To meet these requirements, OEMs must deliver highly integrated, scalable metro transport solutions with reduced power, cost and complexity. ARROW 2488 enables system OEMs to build carrier-grade optical access aggregation equipment with unprecedented footprint and power savings compared to available silicon solutions. This highly integrated solution is the newest software-compatible addition to PMC-Sierra's CHESS III and CHESS Wideband family of SONET/SDH products.

Key features of the new device include:

• Optimizes compact OC-48/STM-16 MultiService Provisioning Platforms (MSPPs), while allowing scalability to multiport OC-192/STM-64 applications

• Addresses optical add/drop requirements for packet MSPPs and Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexers (ROADMs)

• Integrates field-proven CHESS intellectual property, reducing development cycles for faster time-to-market through reuse of CHESS software base

• Reduces chip count by up to 80 percent compared with available alternatives, dramatically improving BOM costs and reducing real estate requirements

• Exceeds the requirement for 50ms protection switching for up to 5376 tributaries using a fully hardware-based APS algorithm (MAPS).

"We continue our investment in critical technologies that enable the carriers' migration to converged networks that are able to move IP traffic through SONET/SDH backbones," said Dino Bekis, VP of marketing and applications for PMC-Sierra's communication products division. "As bandwidth demand increases rapidly due to roll out of quad-play service, SONET/SDH remains the carriers' choice to deliver performance and reliability in the metro network. We optimized the ARROW 2488 for OC-48/STM-16 applications, while allowing scalability to OC-192/STM-64, enabling SONET/SDH to remain the most competitive transport technology and allowing carriers to address network scalability with existing infrastructure."

The PM5336 ARROW 2488 will be sampling Q1 2007. The device is designed in 90nm CMOS technology and packaged in an 1152-ball 35-by-35mm flip-chip BGA package. A comprehensive support product package including hardware specification, application notes, device models, reference design, and software is available. Visit PMC-Sierra for more information on its broad family of metro transport solutions.