Technology Solution for Broadband Communication-Part 2

This is the continuation of the Part -1 of this article. Read part-1 before starting this article. 

Infrastructure Equipment

As shown in Figure 5, broadband infrastructure gateway equipment is responsible for interconnecting broadband access services to the optical core network infrastructure. For multi-services gateways, multi-core DSP platforms facilitate the ability to support multiple broadband access technologies as well as traditional voice-grade services. Communications processors containing high-speed processing engines and networking interfaces perform protocol processing and network management functions. High-speed aggregation logic is required for performing packet processing while providing QoS functions.

From a system engineering perspective, a solution must be evaluated on how the combination of system elements delivers a complete solution with lowest power and smallest area without compromising quality and features. Solution density refers to the optimization of the overall system architecture, taking into account the following critical elements:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·        <!--[endif]-->Power of the solution expressed in milli-Watts (mW) per end-user channel

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·        <!--[endif]-->Density of the solution expressed in end-user channels per square inch

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·        <!--[endif]-->Cost of the solution including silicon, hardware, software and any intellectual property license fees

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·        <!--[endif]-->System partitioning including packet aggregation and routing

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·        <!--[endif]-->Software features that define the functionality of the product

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·        <!--[endif]-->Network management capabilities to address high availability and accountability

In order to engineer an optimal solution, cost, power and area must be evaluated on a total system basis and must be a function of the features and capabilities supported. For example the designer must consider the need for external logic, e.g., external memory, aggregation logic, layout/routing issues, etc. In many systems, power (heat dissipation) is the key-driving factor especially for high-density solutions. That is, most solutions run out of power in the rack before they run out of board area. Proper functional partitioning is also essential to avoid processing and/or bandwidth bottlenecks in the overall system when scaling to support very large numbers of end-user ports.

Premise Access Gateway Equipment

As shown in Figure 6, premise access gateway equipment is responsible for terminating a broadband access pipe from a service provider and making that pipe available to the home or office home network. Communications processors containing high-speed processing engines and networking interfaces perform protocol processing such as bridging, routing, packet filtering and firewall operation. Typically, a premise access gateway provides connection to a single broadband access medium, e.g., cable or DSL or fixed broadband wireless but may support multiple LAN interfaces such as wired Ethernet, wireless Ethernet and Bluetooth. VoP technologies are required for derived voice services.

Broadband End-Points

As shown in Figure 7, broadband end-point devices come in many forms such as PDAs, digital cameras, MP3 players, digital television, and IP Phones. DSPs perform multimedia processing such as MP3 audio, MPEG4 and JPEG imaging. High quality analog components are essential for performing analog to digital (A/D) and digital to analog (A/D) processing. These consumer devices must be extremely low cost. Devices that are portable handheld devices must be very low power to ensure long battery life. Also, devices that are line powered, e.g., from the infrastructure, Ethernet, or USB interface, must adhere to the power constraints of that interface. Thus, low-power devices coupled with power management technologies are essential.

TI Broadband Solutions

Texas Instruments is a company which is uniquely qualified by possessing all of the necessary technologies and system expertise to provide original equipment manufacturers with complete and innovative solutions. As shown in Figure 8, TI offers the following broadband and home networking solutions:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·        <!--[endif]--> ADSL: Infrastructure, residential gateway, and CPE (PC and embedded)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·        <!--[endif]-->Cable: Infrastructure (CMTS) and CPE (Cable Modem)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·        <!--[endif]-->Universal port remote access server (RAS) for POTS services: Dial modem (V.90, V.92, V.34…), Group 3 facsimile (fax) and Voice over Packet (VoP)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·        <!--[endif]-->Voice Over Packet solutions: Infrastructure (high density), CPE (integrated access device), and end-point (IP phone)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·        <!--[endif]-->Home networking: Ethernet, 802.11a/b/g wireless Ethernet, Bluetooth

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·        <!--[endif]-->Internet digital audio and video: MP3, MPEG4, and others.

DSP and analog drive big-volume markets such as digital wireless phones and broadband networking gear. TI is leveraging its strength in these markets to penetrate intriguing new product categories such as Internet audio, voice-over-packet, digital still cameras, bio-medical devices, e-mail terminals, web terminals, Internet-accessible TVs, screen phones and other handheld information appliances and more. International Data Corp. early this year predicted worldwide market for non-PC information appliances will grow from 11 million units shipped in 1999 - worth $2.4 billion - to ~90 million units shipped in 2004 worth almost $18 billion. While there will be great diversity among these products, most will have critical characteristics in common: ease of use, portability and highly personal. Many of these products will be linked via always-on broadband connections.

DSP and analog drive big-volume markets such as digital wireless phones and broadband networking gear. TI is leveraging its strength in these markets to penetrate intriguing new product categories such as Internet audio, voice-over-packet, digital still cameras, bio-medical devices, e-mail terminals, web terminals, Internet-accessible TVs, screen phones and other handheld information appliances and more. International Data Corp. early this year predicted worldwide market for non-PC information appliances will grow from 11 million units shipped in 1999 - worth $2.4 billion - to ~90 million units shipped in 2004 worth almost $18 billion. While there will be great diversity among these products, most will have critical characteristics in common: ease of use, portability and highly personal. Many of these products will be linked via always-on broadband connections.

TI broadband solutions leverage the overall strengths of TI in delivering highly innovative and integrated solutions:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·        <!--[endif]-->Leader in programmable DSP platforms—best in cost, power, and performance

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·        <!--[endif]-->Leader in analog—power, signal conditioning, and mixed signal

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·        <!--[endif]-->System, software, and analog integration capabilities—best system level solution

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·        <!--[endif]-->World class software tools and DSP value network—open systems reduces customer’s time to market and development costs

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·        <!--[endif]-->Silicon/SLI/ASIC technology—customized system solutions

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·        <!--[endif]-->World class production facilities—support large volume production and rapid ramp up

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·        <!--[endif]-->Intellectual property (patents) —innovation, ability to offer indemnification