Freescale Semiconductor has introduced the MSC7120 — a voice-enabled Gigabit Passive Optical Networking (GPON) integrated circuit. The multicore MSC7120 integrates a Power Architecture CPU, a StarCore DSP and a data path engine to deliver a complete PON subsystem in a single device. It addresses the high data forwarding throughput requirements of several applications including the delivery of triple-play (voice, video and data) broadband services to the home or small business.
Freescale and Alcatel-Lucent, a worldwide supplier of GPON equipment, initiated joint development of the MSC7120 after the companies agreed in 2005 to collaborate on delivering compatible, interoperable and cost-effective GPON technology.
GPON technology supports the convergence of IP over optical networks, offering connection speeds much higher than today’s DSL- or DOCSIS-based networks. It is a key enabler for bandwidth-hungry triple-play applications such as HDTV and video on demand.
Analyst firm IDC forecasts that worldwide consumer and small business broadband subscriptions will grow to approximately 400 million by 2010.
As the number of worldwide broadband subscribers expands, GPON is recognized as an emerging solution to challenges that threaten to constrict delivery of rich content to consumers over last-mile infrastructure.
The MSC7120 combines the high-channel voice density of Freescale’s MSC711x DSP device with the high-speed networking capabilities of the PowerQUICC II Pro platform featuring Power Architecture technology, a GPON media access controller (MAC) and Freescale’s packet engine, which enables Gigabit wire rate packet forwarding. The device supports the G.984 GPON GEM protocol and is designed to be compliant with the ITU-T standards.
Development tools, hardware platforms, software building blocks and application-specific software solutions for the MSC7120 are available. The software includes real-time operating system support for the StarCore DSP and Power Architecture cores and a variety of software applications including DSP voice framework, signaling stacks and GPON software stacks.
Through Alcatel-Lucent and Freescale’s agreement, terminal vendors can license critical technologies, including a reference design and support for GPON that is compliant with Alcatel-Lucent’s 7342 ISAM fiber-to-the-user (FTTU) product family.
Freescale is also engaged with other alpha customers to help ensure interoperability with a variety of specifications. In addition, the company plans to participate in a Full Service Access Network (FSAN) group interoperability event scheduled for May 2007.
For more information, visit www.freescale.com.
