The adoption of passive optical networks (PONs) is growing as
large carriers like AT&T and Verizon implement their video and
data plans for consumers. Many smaller local carriers are beginning
to offer fiber to the home (FFTH) systems as well. PONs are also being
adopted worldwide in Japan, France, and China. While growth is evident,
though, PONs haven’t hit the accelerator to faster adoption.
In the meantime, chip vendors are beginning to offer silicon for both
the central office optical line terminal (OLT) and the customer premise
equipment (CPE) optical networking terminal (ONT). Iamba Networks’
iSN1000 series system-on-a-chip (SoC) targets Gigabit PONs (GPON),
which offer up to 2.4 Gbits/s downstream and up to 1 Gbit/s upstream in
PONs with up to 64 subscribers per link.
The iSN1000 family of chips is part of the company’s GPON Eco-
System or (iGES) solution, which includes ASICs for the OLT plus all
the related software. The ONT chips are available in three versions: the
iSN1000F for a single-family ONT unit, the iSN1000T for small office/
home office (SOHO) applications, and the iSN1000D for multi-dwelling
units (MDUs).
The chips include the GPON serializer/deserializer (SERDES) function.
They’re based on a multicore processor module (iMCM) that uses three
Nios cores that can deliver up to 540 dryhstone MIPS. Also included,
Iamba’s unique, patent-pending Traffic Pump Module (iTPM) delivers
wire-speed Gigabit Ethernet on two ports, multiple voice lines, and video
channels all supported by comprehensive quality-of-service (QoS) and
cost-of-service (CoS) capabilities. The iTPM performs packet classification,
virtual local-area network (VLAN) processing, IPTV forwarding,
L2 security, and bridging. It also enables full compliance with the most
recent features of the WTR-156 standard.
Another major part of the iGES solution is Iamba’s software. The company
supplies virtually all of the software you will need for any GPON
application. The software consists of GPON MAC support, triple-play
services and OMCI, and a highly versatile ONT development system.
Other available software includes the iNSC (ONT Control software
package), the iNOM (ONT OMCI management software package), and
the iNSP (ONT Support Package for external devices). The application
layer software packages include iVoIP and the iPTV, providing fully functional
solutions for VoIP and IPTV services.
Additionally, full reference designs for the chip are available. The
iSN1000 chips are sampling now.
IAMBA NETWORKS INC. • www.iamba.com
