Wireless Network Software Supports PHS Voice, Data

Aug. 21, 2000

The PHS Internet Access Forum Standard (PIAFS) software supports voice and data transmission over the wireless Personal Handy-phone Service (PHS). Together with the company's universal access modules, this software makes it easy to add...

Roger Allan

PHS is a wireless access service for local-loop and mobile applications. It provides high-speed wireless data service at 64 kbits/s. Designers can expect 128-, 256-, and 384-kbit/s services in the near future.

PIAFS software is available on the MTN1024 palm-sized, 24-port universal access module. It also is available on a 120-port PCI card and the MTN5000 168-port CompactPCI card. Additionally, Mapletree offers a manufacturing and licensing kit (800 series) that gives OEMs all the hardware and software documentation needed to integrate the company's modules into a custom network access system.

UniPorte platforms with Mapletree's PIAFS software implement all the bit-stream frame processing and data-link processing functions required to process PHS data calls (one per port) at speeds up to 64 kbits/s. These include octet alignment, rate adaptation, frame synchronization, deframing, framing, CRC generation and verification, selective-reject error correction, and protocol control. Higher throughputs can be achieved (200 to 300 kbits/s) by ITU-T V.42bis compression with PIAFS error correction.

Voice support includes voice coding per ITU G.711, G.723.1, G.729A, and G.729B standards; echo cancellation per ITU G.165 and G.168 standards; voice-activity detection; jitter buffer management and playback; and RTP, RTCP, and DTMF relay support. Fax support includes ITU-T V.17, V.29, V.27ter, T30, Class 2 and Class 2.0, and T.38 standards. Data-compression support includes MNP5 and V.42bis standards.

Furthermore, the UniPorte architecture supports VoDSL, V.90 modems, and all lower-speed modem modulations. All UniPorte ports can automatically detect the type of incoming call—such as voice, PIAFS data, or fax—and dynamically configure themselves to handle that call.

The Series 800 kit, including PIAFS software, is available immediately. It can be licensed on a per-port basis, starting at $18.00 per port in large volumes, depending on functionality.

Mapletree Networks Inc., 315 Norwood Park South, Norwood, MA 02062; (781) 751-2400; fax (781) 751-2470; www.mapletree.com.

About the Author

Roger Allan

Roger Allan is an electronics journalism veteran, and served as Electronic Design's Executive Editor for 15 of those years. He has covered just about every technology beat from semiconductors, components, packaging and power devices, to communications, test and measurement, automotive electronics, robotics, medical electronics, military electronics, robotics, and industrial electronics. His specialties include MEMS and nanoelectronics technologies. He is a contributor to the McGraw Hill Annual Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. He is also a Life Senior Member of the IEEE and holds a BSEE from New York University's School of Engineering and Science. Roger has worked for major electronics magazines besides Electronic Design, including the IEEE Spectrum, Electronics, EDN, Electronic Products, and the British New Scientist. He also has working experience in the electronics industry as a design engineer in filters, power supplies and control systems.

After his retirement from Electronic Design Magazine, He has been extensively contributing articles for Penton’s Electronic Design, Power Electronics Technology, Energy Efficiency and Technology (EE&T) and Microwaves RF Magazine, covering all of the aforementioned electronics segments as well as energy efficiency, harvesting and related technologies. He has also contributed articles to other electronics technology magazines worldwide.

He is a “jack of all trades and a master in leading-edge technologies” like MEMS, nanolectronics, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, military electronics, biometrics, implantable medical devices, and energy harvesting and related technologies.