Crimson Microsystems MSPP-On-A-Chip Enables Broad Deployment Of SDH/SONET At The Access Edge

Xalted Networks Readying Micro MSPP System for Worldwide Deployment

SUNNYVALE, Calif., -- Crimson Microsystems today announced it is sampling the Ruby MSPP-on-a-Chip, targeted for the design of fully SDH/SONET-compliant access edge Multiservice Provisioning Platforms (MSPPs) in a compact 1-4 RU chassis, and at a price point targeted by Ethernet access solutions. Until now, the cost of carrier-class SDH/SONET equipment has limited its deployment in access networks.

With the Ruby CM4800, Crimson brings to market the first single-chip solution specifically designed for the development of full-featured access edge MSPPs. Replacing up to eight discrete components, Ruby's highly integrated design incorporates all necessary framing, pointer processing, high and low order cross-connect and path termination functions for complete, STM-1/4/16 (and equivalent OC-3/12/48) SDH/SONET systems. With integrated support for both SDH/SONET line- and ring-based protection schemes and a 22.5 Gigabit cross connect, Ruby-based MSPPs can be deployed either directly on a SDH/SONET access ring or as customer-located equipment on SDH/SONET access links.

At less than a quarter of the price of an equivalent multi-chip solution, Ruby provides these carrier class features and functions in a smaller, lower power, single chip solution ideally suited for the access market.

"Ruby is aimed at significantly reducing the cost and complexity of today's MSPP equipment, enabling carriers worldwide to expand existing infrastructure to support new services and bandwidth demands. These new demands are driven by triple play applications as well as next generation wireless and Ethernet-to-the-enterprise," said Paul Nahi, president and CEO of Crimson Microsystems, Inc. "Now that Ruby-based MSPPs can achieve access-appropriate price points and form factors, carriers can leverage and extend their SDH/SONET networks to the access edge while preserving all its inherent advantages."

First Ruby-Based Micro MSPP in Development
Crimson has several design wins for Ruby, demonstrating its strong market acceptance. Xalted Networks, Bangalore, is already utilizing Ruby to implement its access edge MSPP, targeted for worldwide deployment.

"For broad, high volume deployment of MSPPs at the access edge, new RFPs from carriers require the reliability of fully-compliant SDH/SONET at disruptive price points," said Bob Kondamoori, president and CEO of Xalted Networks. "Our MSPPs based on Ruby will allow carriers to aggregate legacy PDH services with emerging data services, such as Ethernet and SAN extension across the WAN, to cost-effectively expand their service offerings."

Ruby MSPP-on-a-Chip Product Summary
The Ruby CM4800 integrates a multirate SDH/SONET VT/TU pointer processor with a multirate framer capable of supporting full line and path termination for multiple STM-1/4/16 (OC-3/12/48) streams. A 22.5G non-blocking, fully-channelized High Order (AU/STS) and Low Order (TU/VT) cross connect enables on-chip grooming and line- or path-based protection switching to and from redundant backplane interfaces, and add/drop to and from a 2.5Gb, 77.76MHz telecom bus interface. Supported protection switching schemes include MSP/APS, SNCP/UPSR and MS-SPring/BLSR.

Ruby provides all necessary SDH/SONET processing for up to 4 STM-16/OC-48s, 16 STM-4/OC-12s, or 16 STM-1/OC-3s. Ruby can be configured to support a mix of STM-1/OC-3, STM-4/OC-12 and STM-16/OC-48 lines/rings. Ruby's pointer processor, path termination, and cross-connect simultaneously support any combination of both high and low order paths.

All Ruby functions can be controlled and monitored via an external processor However, an on-chip
32-bit control plane processor can be utilized for provisioning, performance monitoring and protection switching, significantly reducing the burden on the external processor.

Ruby is implemented in 0.13um, low-power CMOS and packaged in a thermally-enhanced FCBGA.

Pricing and Availability
Sampling now and available through Crimson Microsystems and its representatives worldwide, the Ruby CM4800 is priced at $500 in volume.

About Crimson Microsystems
Crimson Microsystems is a fabless semiconductor company located in Sunnyvale, Calif. The Company's highly-integrated MSPP-on-a-chip enables communications system OEMs to build access edge multi-service provisioning platforms in a compact chassis, with full SDH/SONET compliance. This technology brings the reliability, redundancy and resiliency of SDH/SONET at access price points and form factors. More information is available on the web at www.crimsonmicro.com