SoCs Drive VDSL2 CPE Gateways

Emerging as the first integrated VDSL2 customer premises equipment (CPE) SoCs, the CX96xxx family addresses a variety of triple-play voice, video, and data products ranging from VDSL2 voice-enabled CPE gateways to basic bridges. They feature a flexible architecture that supports all VDSL2 profiles up to 30a for applications requiring 100/1000 Mb/s data rates, an integrated voice-over-IP engine, and a network processor. The chipsets also include advanced CPE technology that promises to significantly improve VDSL performance by reducing interference on the copper lines, allowing operators to increase coverage area. Features include the hardware accelerator engine that enables throughputs up to 1 Gb/s, a dedicated voice DSP supporting two simultaneous VoIP channels, DSP architecture available with either 30-MHz or 17-MHz bandwidths, and backward compatibility with ADSL/2/2plus applications. The family includes the CX96629 two-pair bonded gateway, CX96429 FTTB VDSL2 (up to Profile 30a) gateway/voice gateway, CX96329 FTTN VDSL2 (up to Profile 17a) gateway/voice gateway, and the CX96220 VDSL2 bridge. The chips are sampling now with production scheduled for March. Prices range from $24 to $30 each in volume. CONEXANT SYSTEMS INC., Newport Beach, CA. (888) 855-4562.