Comcerto® 300 processors enable a cost-effective migration from TDM-Voice networks to next-generation networks with carrier-class performance.

The Comcerto 300 series of access VoIP processors combines MINDSPEED’s proven system-on-chip (SoC) architecture and carrier-class software, enabling equipment manufacturers to quickly and efficiently develop TDM-to-VoIP line cards for MSANs, IP-capable digital subscriber line access multiplexors (IP-DSLAMs) and next-generation digital loop carriers (DLCs). In addition, the devices are well suited for MDU/MTU VoIP access, E1/T1 remote gateways and IP-PBX applications.

Evolving from the Comcerto 500 multi-core architecture and first introduced in 2002, Comcerto 300 access processors integrate a complete media-access gateway on a single device. This has been achieved by combining a signaling and control processor with a packet processor, voice/tone processor(s) and a robust set of interfaces and functions. The Comcerto 300 series enables "VoIP on a linecard" by reducing system complexity, and through the intelligent use of the IP/Ethernet architecture. Indeed, Comcerto 300 devices have already been chosen by several leading worldwide equipment manufacturers for building their next-generation access platforms.

Technical Details:
The Comcerto 300 architecture incorporates two separate ARM11 processors and a DSP array coupled through a shared memory subsystem. This enables real-time, low-latency media processing, while simultaneously permitting protocol stack processing, call control and call set-up functions. Dual Gigabit Ethernet interfaces with integrated SerDes enable UDP/RTP/IP/Ethernet media flow. In addition, TDM/SPI interfaces offer connectivity with PCM highways, e.g., with SLIC/SLAC devices.

One ARM11 is dedicated to media stream packet processing and is closely linked with the DSP array. Together, they form the media stream processor (MSP) unit; and MINDSPEED’s proven binary VoIP firmware runs on this MSP (DSP + ARM11). To date, the company has already shipped over 100 million VoIP ports based on this firmware worldwide.

The second ARM11 is a control and signaling processor (CSP) that is available for host functions: e.g., signaling, call control and board management. Customers frequently use CSP to implement SIP/H.248/MEGACO/H.323 protocol stacks. The functional separation between hard real-time MSP and soft real-time CSP greatly simplifies software development and reduces test run times whenever system changes are made.

Silicon support packages (SiSPs) are available for VxWorks (6.x) and Linux (2.6). These contain a flexible and adaptable U-Boot Bootloader and the driver software needed by the customer to quickly access the performance of the Comcerto 300 platform for their own CSP applications.

Comcerto 300 devices are also available without a CSP for applications where an external host controller is preferred.

Comcerto 300 devices are offered in a variety of different versions, with the highest performing (the M82359) supporting over 150 G.711/20ms channels. Each VoIP channel features Echo Cancellation (ECAN), tone recognition and many other access-related functions. The Comcerto family supports "mix and match" capabilities with channel-level functionality, meaning multiple codecs, ECAN parameters, tone generation/detection and other functions can be run simultaneously. The binary MSP package furthermore ensures that diverse codecs are supported, to include G.711, G.729a /b, G.723.1 and T.38 Fax-over-IP.

The Comcerto 300 evaluation module (EVM) lets customers test the capabilities of the Comcerto device, while also supporting the writing of the customer’s own software in connection with hardware development. The Comcerto 300 EVM provides all necessary memory, a TSI, four FXS POTS lines, an FXO trunk line, two 10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet interfaces (with SFP/SMA options for SerDes connectivity) and a T1/E1 interface. The EVM also includes a system expansion connector designed to mate with Zarlink/Legerity’s SLIC/SLAC EVM, allowing customers to quickly and easily configure VoIP-enabled POTS systems with from 8 to 72 ports.

To provide design support, MINDSPEED has established large engineering design centers in Kiev (Ukraine), Nice (France), the USA and Asia.

Availability
Comcerto 300 M823xx devices are available in five different performance classes with two packaging options (RoHS or standard). The BGA package measures 23mm x 23mm, with 1mm pitch, and “full availability” is scheduled for Q3 of 2008. Samples are available now.

COMCERTO 100 FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF CPE PLATFORMS

MINDSPEED’s new Comcerto 100 family was developed specifically for the next generation of high performance-demanding networks – on the WAN side (e.g., FTTx) and/or LAN side (e.g., 802.11n for home network distribution). A newly developing business model has been observed in which the residential gateway will serve as a network hub for the home. In support of this model, network operators increasingly require a means of adding services to the CPE (e.g., home surveillance, medical services, etc,) and billing for them. Very likely, this will be made possible using some type of Java framework on the CPE, which will in turn create the need for more MIPs than are provided on existing SoC chips.

With its Ethernet interfaces, the Comcerto 100 is completely independent of WAN technology. The device meets the requirements of a modern HW and SW communication platform that can be used in different configurations. In terms of the FTTH market, most of today’s networks are either point-to-point Ethernet connections or, in the case of xPON, are equipped with separate ONT and CPE boxes that are connected via Ethernet; and the C100 chip accommodates these circumstances.

C100 Advantages:
• Dual 450MHz ARM11 CPU, one with L2 cache
• Modern interfaces: Dual RMII/RGMII/GMII Ethernet, high-speed USB 2.0 
• IPSec for VPN Gateways
• Maximum data throughput, with MIPs remaining available for additional applications
• Carrier Class VoIP Stack: MINDSPEED’s Carrier Class VoIP features were carried forward to these CPE devices, with the same advanced Echo Canceller available to CPE users. Depending on the version, up to 8 VoIP channels are supported.
• Cost-effective DDR2-333 memory
• PCI interface for 802.11b/g/n connection
• TDM + SPI interface
• An additional Utopia L2 interface on M8219x versions
• JTAG, Console Ports, I2C and 6 Timers
• Enhanced on-chip DMA reduces CPU overhead to a minimum
• SW-defined architecture: theoretically, each CPU can access all interfaces
• Low-power design (2.2W typ.), diverse energy saving options, 27mm PBGA package
• Reference boards available

The MINDSPEED software allocates real-time tasks such as VoIP, fast-path processing and QoS to the dedicated media stream processor (MSP), while the other processor (ACP) is reserved for application and host control. This strategy is so effective that only ~ 10% of the ACP’s host MIPs are used, even while simultaneously supporting IPv4 forwarding at up to 1.8Gb/s, Wi-Fi and two VoIP channels. This is a vast improvement over other SoC solutions, which are known to promise a high data throughput, but only at the expense of CPU reserves. In fact, most current xDSL SoCs exhaust all of their CPU reserves when adding 802.11n functionality, to mention just one example. The Comcerto 100, on the other hand, has approx. 400 MIPs freely available for host operating systems and applications. In addition, there is plenty of performance available to support the services of third party providers.

Comcerto 100 is currently in mass production, with reference designs also available now. MINDSPEED’s GB Router reference design comprises the following:
• M82174 chip (GbE, 4 VoIP channels)
• 4FXS + 1 FXO (Zarlink)
• 64MB DDR2
• 5-port GbE switch (4 LAN ports) (Vitesse)
• 1-GbE PHY (WAN)
• 16MB NOR Flash
• 128MB NAND Flash
• Mini-PCI connection (EVM version ships with an Atheros 802.11g mini-PCI card)
• 2 * USB 2.0 connection
• JTAG and console ports

Generally, the devices ship with BSP and SDK for open-source Linux OpenWRT, though other operating systems – like Jungo OpenRG, Intoto iGateway and WindRiver Linux – are also available. OpenWRT contains Asterisk as an open-source telephony application, as well as a WebLF for the Web-based configuration of most functions.

In short, MINDSPEED has everything you could possibly need for your next CPE or communications processor project!

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