This report, as you've come to expect, is a recap of the some of the month's biggest product announcements in communications, organized into the following broad categories for your convenience:

For a quick view of what we have included from your favorite vendors, glance at Table 1; and if you want to see quickly what we have included under each product category, look at Table 2.

As a further slight enhancement, this month we have indicated some of the industry shows that vendors have been using to give the first public views of their new products.

Enjoy! And don't forget that you can click here to see our list of previous long-form features and New Product Recaps.

Table 1: Vendors and products included in this Recap

Table 2: Contents of product categories in this Recap

— Tim Hills is a freelance telecommunications writer and journalist. He's a regular author of Light Reading reports.

Next Page: Broadband/Cable Access & Applications

Adtran Inc. (Nasdaq: ADTN)
Bluesocket virtual Wireless LAN (vWLAN) enhancement
Allows for the provision of multiple customer-premises equipment (CPE) deployment options including resale, managed and cloud-hosted services. According to the company, these options enable service providers and VARs to create new cloud-based Wi-Fi service offerings. With the Bluesocket offering, service providers can cost-effectively scale to support hundreds of customer WLANs, offering a cloud-based WLAN service without the expense of placing a hardware controller on the customer's site.

Akamai Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: AKAM)
Sola Media Solutions portfolio
This comprises cloud-based services to unify the delivery, workflow and monetization of online video. Sola Media consists of: (a) Sola Sphere -- designed to provide high scale, reach, performance and reliability in cloud-based storage and content delivery services. (b) Sola Vision -- designed to address the need to adapt content for efficient, engaging online delivery; to protect content at a level appropriate to the application; and to simply and efficiently connect viewers to content providers, operators, advertisers, and other participants in the online media delivery ecosystem. (c) Sola Media Analytics -- collects both real-time quality and post-event audience engagement information required to better understand viewer behavior and reveal opportunities for improving the viewer experience. (d) Luna Control Center -- intended to manage Sola Media's capabilities, this provides a unified Web user interface that supports all Akamai offerings. Content owners can specify the target end devices and desired security levels for a given library of media titles and Sola Vision's integrated expert system is designed to determine the appropriate renditions, bitrate settings, protocols, and other settings required for optimized viewing and delivery. User interfaces can automatically update as new device types, protocols, and technologies are introduced.

Alticast Corp.
Home Gateway Solution
Presented as enabling operators to deliver home entertainment securely to any screen in the home, a best-in-class HTML5 user experience enables the solution to support tablets, PCs, phones, thin clients and other screens, the company says. The product supports a broad range of chipsets including ST Microelectronics, Broadcom and Intel, and is available on both new and legacy platforms, supporting satellite, cable, terrestrial, IPTV and hybrid environments. It supports HTML5, HbbTV and DLNA.

Brightcove Inc.
Zencoder Instant Play and Zencoder Live Cloud Transcoding
These are video-encoding workflow services. Zencoder Instant Play enables on-demand video playback to start seconds after the file upload process begins, greatly accelerating the video publishing process, according to the company. Zencoder Live Cloud Transcoding provides an alternative to the use of on-location live encoding hardware and dedicated uplink bandwidth.

Broadcom Corp. (Nasdaq: BRCM)
5G Wi-Fi Docsis 3.0 Cable Gateway Platform
This is presented as an industry platform first, created by combining existing BCM3383 Docsis 3.0 cable gateway platform and the BCM4360 5G Wi-Fi offering. It delivers Docsis 3.0-based 16 x 4 speeds over wireless throughout the home. 5G Wi-Fi beamforming technology is used to improve wireless coverage and eliminates dead spots.

BCM5553x
Presented as the industry's family of highest-density dual-, quad- and octal-port single-chip 10G-EPON optical line terminals (OLTs). They are designed to address the high-speed connectivity and quality of service (QoS) requirements of residential triple-play services including video-on-demand (VoD), HD-IPTV, voice over IP (VoIP) and high-speed Internet (HIS). The BCM5553x family offers support for both 10Gbit/s (10G) symmetric and asymmetric data rates combined with 1Gbit/s (1G)-EPON co-existence on a single fiber, while enabling 3G/LTE mobile backhaul and enterprise business services on a common fiber access network. With unified management, the BCM5553x family delivers a scalable and flexible fiber access solution for both telco and cable MSOs, according to the company.

Calix Inc. (NYSE: CALX)
726GE-I
The indoor optical-network terminal (ONT) adds RF video to the company's range of indoor ONTs, giving communications service providers the flexibility to use RF headends when delivering advanced fiber access services to their customers. It will support, through a forthcoming software release, home gateway functionality via a simple download.

Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO)
Videoscape Distribution Suite (VDS)
VDS serves as the network distribution engine behind the Videoscape architecture, and is a complete, interoperable offering that bridges cloud and network functionality, according to the company. New Videoscape Distribution Suite products are: (a) VDS Video Recording (VDS-VR) for cloud-driven recording of live and time-shifted content. (b) VDS Origin Server (VDS-OS), which consolidates origin server functions and converts all incoming content into a common file that simplifies HTTP adaptive bit rate (ABR) and MPEG formatted distribution. (c) VDS Optimization Engine (VDS-OE), which offloads RAN/packet core traffic. (d) VDS Service Broker (VDS-SB), consisting of service selector per caching node and CDN interconnect capabilities required for CDN federation. (e) VDS Transparent Caching (VDS-TC), which offloads OTT and other unmanaged content from the network core to the edge.

Envivio Inc. (NASDAQ: ENVI)
4Caster G4
This encoding appliance for the company's Muse software-based encoder family is a high-performance computing (HPC) system that offers six times the density of the current platform: up to 72 SD or 12 HD channels per 2RU chassis, with the potential for further future density improvements. A flexible multinode configuration and robust, power-efficient design reduce capital and operational expenditures for operators, according to the company. A new version of the Muse encoding software offers two codec configurations across all output formats: (a) Extreme -- with the latest-generation statistical rate control for variable-bit-rate applications and optimizing video quality for demanding HDTV content. (b) Premium -- maximizing density for a cost-effective approach.

Harmonic Inc. (Nasdaq: HLIT)
Spectrum MediaDeck 7000 SSD
This integrated four-channel media server emphasizes reliability, low power requirements, and lower weight of solid-state disk (SSD) storage, while providing the broadcast quality and cost-effective design of the MediaDeck 7000, according to the company. It is equipped with four 480GB SSD drives, and provides 57h of 50Mbit/s storage capacity. The integrated system handles up to four SD or HD video channels and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity in a compact 1-RU chassis. The flexible server system also features multiple-codec playback, up/down/cross-conversion, and HD/SD simulcast capabilities. Two-channel modularity enables small broadcast and video production operations to implement robust server-based ingest and playout operations, or sophisticated file-based workflows, for a broad range of video formats.

Hillcrest Labs
Freespace MotionEngine Lite
This is presented as first 8-bit MCU-compatible MotionEngine software for Texas Instruments ZigBee RF4CE and Bluetooth low-energy systems for smart TVs. According to the company it provides high performance, in-air cursor control on 8-bit processors commonly found on remote controls, with lower costs and simpler integration than typical smart TV motion control implementations.

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.
New Generation Multi-Mode and Dual-Core MxU Platform
This is a high-performance MxU platform supporting PON/10G-PON multimode uplink and vectoring downlink. It will greatly enhance the processing speed and reliability of MxU systems, reducing system failures by half, the company says. The platform will enable the MxU series to support the forward compatibility of its 10G-PON cards with PON in the uplink direction and the latest vectoring access technology, achieving copper-based access rate at 100 Mbit/s.

SmartAX MA5608T
The ultra-compact and high-performance square-shaped 2U optical line terminal (OLT) will enable operators to achieve FTTx access for scenarios involving small-capacity deployment, including FTTx access in rural locations, according to the company. It connects to the large-capacity OLT in the CO (central office) to achieve overlength PON coverage for up to 100 kilometers and an access capacity of 2,000 users. It has 32 GPON/EPON ports or 96 FE/GE downstream links and is compatible with the large- and medium-sized OLT board, reducing spare part costs and operator expenditures. In addition, the OLT uses dual control boards and features a dual-power-redundancy design, as well as Type B/C/D protection and Type C double homing. These features meet the high-reliability demands of financial institutions and low-delay service access, including Wi-Fi and LTE. In addition, the OLT supports the evolution to 10G GPON and 10G EPON.

Kudelski Group
OpenTV 5
The company says that this defines a new category of client device system that accelerates innovation and addresses the multidevice, multinetwork and multiservice environment. Offering hybrid functionality, it includes the TV-centric features expected from an advanced system to deliver a variety of services such as broadcast, PVR, on-demand, home networking, and over-the-top, as well as non-traditional capabilities such as multiruntime environment support, cloud enablement, built-in data analytics, content transcoding, social TV, and feature-rich and intuitive content discovery. It uses Web industry standards such as HTML5 and SVG, and its open application development framework Ninja provides rich building blocks for rapid user interface development or reskinning, reducing the time-to-market of new features. OpenTV 5 is fully integrated with the company's end-to-end multiscreen platform MediaLive Multiscreen.

Mariner Partners Inc.
Mariner xVu enhancement
This extends IPTV service monitoring platform to use new functionality in Microsoft Mediaroom Client 2.2, enabling telecommunications providers to monitor the IPTV user experience more efficiently, according to the company. Improvements allow operators to: (a) Identify transient video impairments with more granular subscriber-centric video performance data. (b) Identify STB to HDTV connection issues with advanced HDMI connection details. (c) Assist subscribers with menu navigation issues by using remote captures and control of the customer's TV experience; providing guidance on TV settings or ordering a VoD asset. (d) Verify in-home connection with active STB connection test.

Motorola Mobility LLC
IP and cable set-top boxes for EMEA market
Ten models are designed to give service providers in EMEA smarter more energy-efficient options for delivering new entertainment experiences, according to the company. Entertainment capabilities include multiscreen support, over the top (OTT), time-shift TV and gaming. The IPTV STBs are: (a) The VIP1103 and VIP1113 -- compact and cost-effective, according to the company. (b) The VIP2853 -- with DVR expandability. (c) The VIP2952 -- with robust processing power. (d) The VIP1801 and VIP1861 -- ultra-low-power Microsoft Mediaroom set-tops. (e) The VIP2502W -- Microsoft Mediaroom set-top with wireless capability. (f) The VIP2102 -- offering next-generation HD IP video experiences. The cable STBs are: (a) The HMC3021 -- cost-effective HD cable zapper set-top. (b) The VIP2853C -- hybrid cable set-top with DVR.

NeoPhotonics Corp. (NYSE: NPTN)
Mode Coupling Receiver GPON OLT transceiver (MCR GPON OLT)
These are for gigabit passive optical networks (GPON) in an SFP form factor and for use in fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks. The first version is a 4-port MCR GPON Class B+ OLT in a pluggable SFP form factor, which is designed to increase the split ratio in a standard PON from 1:32 to 1:128 while maintaining the original link budget and reach. This module features a connector with four fiber outputs, where each individual fiber corresponds to the output of a conventional GPON OLT SFP compliant with ITU-T 984 standards.

RGB Networks Inc.
TransAct Encoder/Transcoder
Adding an integrated encoding to company's existing TransAct Transcoder product allows the new TransAct Encoder/Transcoder to ingest uncompressed SDI-sourced live content, as well as IP and file input, for live or on-demand IP video delivery to smartphones, tablets, PCs and connected TVs, as well as to traditional set-top boxes. In addition to SDI input and output for live video, it handles packaged formats such as Apple HLS, Microsoft Smooth Streaming, Adobe HDS, MPEG DASH or RTMP, or mezzanine format for just-in-time packaging. Up to four HD-SDI inputs per one rack unit platform are available. There is a range of audio/video codecs for encoding or transcoding, as well as extensive audio capabilities, such as loudness correction. The TransAct Commander provides multinode management through a converged headend, enabling clustering and chassis-level N:M redundancy, while also controlling encoding redundancy with upstream SDI switchers.

SeaWell Networks Inc.
Spectrum enhancement
Spectrum -- the company's session control solution for adaptive-bitrate (ABR) streaming video that enables operators to deliver content to any connected device, and providing dynamic ad insertion, stream management and analytics -- has now integrated DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) format into its existing library of supported formats, which include Smooth Streaming, HLS and HDS.

Sigma Designs Inc. (Nasdaq: SIGM)
HiDTV Pro-UXL
This SoC platform is designed for the next generation of smart TVs. It is a highly integrated platform that includes multiple CPUs, ATSC/DVB-T/DVB-C, analog demodulators, a secure programmable transport stream demultiplexer, a high-performance 3-D graphics engine, a 3DTV-capable multicapable HD video decoder, and a programmable audio decoder with video postprocessor that supports several of the company's audio-processing algorithms. A 1GHz MIPS 74Kf CPU and Imagination SGX 531 graphics core enable advanced connectivity and OTT services to power the next generation of smart TVs, the company says.

SMP8680 and SMP8682
These are media processors providing integrated HPNA connectivity for IPTV and hybrid set-top boxes (STBs). Both have 3-D video, integrated graphics processing, video scaling, DDR3 memory support, customizable UI and a power-efficient CPU that can deliver over-the-top (OTT) content. They maintain software backward compatibility with the company's SMP8670 and the SMP8652 processors, but migrate to a new and improved software SDK4.0 which includes a new porting layer called SAPI (Sigma API) that enables fast time to market porting of hybrid STB middleware and guarantees software compatibility for future SoCs, according to the company.

STMicroelectronics NV (NYSE: STM)
Docsis 3.0-based High-Speed Cable Modem SoC
Intended for full-HD multimedia and Internet-TV services, the SoC bonds 16 downlink channels and four uplink channels to achieve data speeds of 800 Mbit/s downstream and 108 Mbit/s upstream. This is significantly faster than modems in the market today, the company says, and these data speeds will allow multiple users to experience high-quality full-HD multimedia and interactive Internet services simultaneously through the home network.

Tellabs Inc. (Nasdaq: TLAB; Frankfurt: BTLA)
100 Series Mini Optical Network Terminals
This is presented as the world's smallest optical network terminal with Power-over-Ethernet and advancing optical LAN technology for enterprises. According to the company, the new Mini ONTs reduce cabling requirements and exposure to damage or theft, with no ONTs sitting on or under desks. They minimize the need for space in the communication closet and eliminate fiber jumpers and desk/wall mounts. They require no power or battery backup at the desktop, as they are remotely powered from the communications closet, and they lower deployment costs. The 120W ONT installs in office walls using a standard single gang form-factor. It provides two Gigabit Ethernet interfaces with Power-over-Ethernet to the user. The 120C ONT installs in standard cubicle raceways with the same interfaces and feature set as the 120W ONT. The new 500 Series of Optical Distribution Hubs (ODH) provides an integrated optical splitter and power sources for the 120 Mini ONTs. 1 RU by 19in. wide, the ODH fits in the communication closet, or even in ceiling zone boxes or raised floors, further reducing overall space requirements.

thePlatform Inc.
Next-Generation Video Commerce System
Enhancements to mpx video commerce system provides a robust ecommerce engine to power next-generation digital video storefronts across computers, tablets and mobile phones, according to the company. It enables better merchandizing of video by giving consumers new ways to purchase customized video packages and promotions. The new video commerce system includes an automated workflow, applying pricing templates to videos as they are ingested and published. Features and capabilities include: (a) Advanced product tagging capabilities to connect media to the storefront, enforce pricing tiers, and allow deep search capability for consumers. 9b) Build-in discount windows and special promotions that can be applied and retired to multiple products with one click. (c) Support for internationalization features including multi-currency price scheduling and support for multiple localized product descriptions. (d) Viewing of purchase history, credit users with extra video views, issue refunds and order reports. (e) Use all, or some, of the modular commerce components including a payment gateway, taxation engine integration, ledger, and fulfillment via thePlatform's entitlement service. (f) Open APIs, secure content protection and delivery, and enterprise-class reliability to power custom storefront UIs.

ThinkAnalytics Ltd.
ThinkMovies and ThinkTV
These modules represent the largest sources of pretagged metadata for movies and TV and are the latest tools to help pay-TV subscribers find content outside their usual eight viewing channels by making it easy to explore integrated content in the linear EPG and VoD/OTT libraries, the company says. They enable the extraction and understanding of real meaning from the content metadata to further aid the personalization and discovery process. ThinkMovies includes over 500,000 movie titles worldwide, in over 20 languages; new content will be added at a rate of around 10,000 titles a month. ThinkTV includes over 10,000 moods, tags, keywords and synonyms for regional TV shows across the globe and supports ten languages.

Verimatrix Inc.
VCAS for DASH
Presented as the world's first commercial-grade MPEG-DASH secure delivery solution, it is a component within the Video Content Authority System and extends the range of services and device types that can be supported in this harmonized rights-management platform. VCAS for DASH is also compliant with the ISO/IEC Common Encryption (CENC) standard. The company says that the VCAS architecture also currently supports unique security enhancements to the HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) protocol via its widely integrated ViewRight Web components, as well as PlayReady-protected Smooth Streaming, under a VCAS harmonized rights management umbrella for pay-TV streaming services that covers iOS, Android, PC, Mac, set-top boxes (STBs), smart TVs and gaming consoles.

Next Page: Carrier Transport & Optical Networking

Aeponyx Inc.
MxC-80
This 40-channel single-fiber WDM transponder platform based on WDM-PON SFPs, and targeted at metro Ethernet service providers, contains 80 SFP ports in a single 3U carrier class -48V DC shelf, and is designed to enable 40 wirespeed AEPON channels. Each AEPON channel contains a DWDM-side outside-plant access component and a CWDM-side network-to-network interface (NNI) and enables 40 circuits to be multiplexed onto one outside-plant fiber and 16 circuits to be multiplexed onto one NNI fiber. AEPON (Active Ethernet Passive Optical Network) is the company's implementation of DWDM-PON (dense wavelength-division multiplexing passive optical network) technology, based on use of long-reach Omnicolor small form pluggable (SFP) transceivers outfitted with Colorplugs pluggable unicolor filters. Designed for metro fiber service providers, with a reach of 60km, the platform enables the wholesale of metro access and metro transport through the cross-connection of dense- and coarse-WDM-PON wavelengths at the Ethernet level.

Finisar Corp. (Nasdaq: FNSR)
100GE CFP2 Module
This is a 10km 100GE CFP2 module based on the CFP2 MSA form factor. According to the company, this high-density, hot-pluggable optical transceiver offers a significantly reduced size compared to the first generation CFP and is optimally designed for standards-compliant 100GBASE-LR4 and OTU4 applications. The module has a power dissipation of less than 8W, enabled by its transmitter package based on 4x28G DFB lasers, and it is optically interoperable with the company's existing 10km 100GE CFP modules.

2-Slot ROADM Linecard
Presented as the first densely packaged 2x1xN 2-slot ROADM linecard with Flexgrid capabilities, the highly integrated ROADM linecard features a high port-count Flexgrid wavelength-selective switch (WSS) and a high-speed parallel scanning Flexgrid optical-channel monitor (OCM), and is intended primarily for route and select architectures in core or metro telecom networks to improve system performance. According to the company, compared to other solutions, the ROADM linecard's compact design improves system performance and reduces overall power consumption while allowing carriers to increase transmission faceplate density. The linecard features include hitless channel expansion and contraction to accommodate changes in traffic patterns, which may be initiated by the carrier, such as switching from a 100Gbit/s data stream to a superchannel data stream.

MultiPhy
100G Direct Detect MUX/DEMUX Chipset
This includes the MP1101Q 100G MUX Transmitter device, a 100G CMOS multiplexer semiconductor device to be used with the MP1100Q MLSE DMUX Receiver. The MP1101Q is a 40nm CMOS MUX device providing the standard 10 to 4 gearbox function needed for all 100G optical transmission. The device is compliant with client side interfaces such as CAUI and MLD. Supporting the standard 7 per cent FEC overhead expansion rates, the MP1101Q is packaged in a 17mmX17mm RoHS compliant 1mm ball pitch BGA. The company says that the new chipset sets new benchmarks for performance and cost structure. It enables 100G reaches up to 55km (1100ps/nm), thus fulfilling the demand for +/-800ps/nm of dispersion compensation on established metro WDM networks, making it a suitable upgrade solution for the transition from 10G to 100G metro transport. The chipset also allows the use of inexpensive 10G optoelectronics in the realization of the 100G 4 x 28Gbit/s module, resulting in a very cost effective 100G transport solution. Targeted to be used alongside the MultiPhy MP1100Q MLSE receiver chip, the MP1101Q provides a full transceiver solution.

Oclaro Inc. (Nasdaq: OCLR)
Second-generation 100G CFP and first-generation CFP2 100G transceivers
These are for 10km transmission over standard single-mode fiber, and presented as the industry's first interoperable CFP (Centum Gbit/s form-factor pluggable) and CFP2 solutions available on the market. These new transceivers deliver significant reductions in power consumption and size, the company says, and have been designed to meet the needs of higher-speed 100G networks for the core, metro, access, enterprise and datacenter where higher densities, lower power consumption and smaller size are required for next-generation network deployments. The second-generation CFP is fully compliant with IEEE 100G Ethernet 802.3ba 100GBASE-LR4 and ITU-T G.959.1 4I1-9D1F standards and benefits from a CMOS gearbox IC that reduces power consumption and lowers cost relative to first-generation CFP designs: 16W compared to 24W. The new CFP2 transceiver is roughly half the size of other CFP solutions, according to the company, which increases system front-panel port density from four to eight ports. The smaller size of the CFP2 transceiver is achieved by reducing the number of electrical lanes from 10 to four by applying a 25Gbit/s electrical interface per channel instead of 10 Gbit/s and hence removing the gearbox from the module.

PMC-Sierra Inc. (Nasdaq: PMCS)
PM5442 META 120G
Presented as the industry's first tri-speed (10/40/100G) converged carrier Ethernet/OTN framer, it enables high-density carrier Ethernet and OTN linecards and IPoDWDM integration on service-provider switches and routers, P-OTPs, and PTN equipment. The framer delivers carrier Ethernet MAC/PHY, comprehensive OTN framing/mapping in conjunction with multiple FEC protocols, including the company's high-gain Swizzle enhanced-FEC, and fully integrated packet timing engine, including clock recovery that exceeds the IEEE 1588v2 telecom profile for every port. The rate-agile SERDES enables a single META 120G device to deliver up to 12x10GE/OTU2, up to 3x40GE/OTU3 or a single 100GE/OTU4 connection.

Next Page: Components & Devices

Broadcom Corp. (Nasdaq: BRCM)
BCM54210E
With integrated SyncE+, the BCM54210E 10/100/1000BASE-T PHY family delivers timing synchronization capabilities at the physical layer, allowing carriers to deliver more efficient and reliable connectivity with fewer service interruptions, the company says. AutoGrEEEn Plus technology extends EEE power savings to legacy MACs and non-EEE devices, and integrated wake-on-LAN (WOL) enables remote system activation over the network, reducing system power and complexity.

BCM84328
Presented as the industry's lowest-power octal-10GbE/dual-40GbE PHY, it is designed for high-density data center applications, and delivers comprehensive PHY functionality while simplifying board design for server and network equipment manufacturers, according to the company. Features include line and system high-speed equalization to drive SFP+, QSFP+, or KR interfaces, PRBS pattern generators and checkers, loopback functionality, and on-chip AC coupling capacitors to satisfy requirements for higher density switch and server configurations. Power consumption is 300mW per full duplex10GbE port.

Emerson Electric Co.
ATCA-8320
This is billed as an AdvancedTCA (ATCA) media-processing blade with the highest density of digital signal processing (DSP) cores of any commercially available blade. With up to 576 DSP cores and running advanced media processing software, the blade will enable communications equipment companies to simplify and accelerate the development and deployment of very high density IP media processing applications, the company says. These applications include session border controllers, media gateways and servers, media resource functions, mobile video optimization, video communications and conferencing servers, and interactive voice and video response systems. The blade can offload voice and video processing from an X86-based system at resolutions up to 1080p. A gateway-on-a-blade architecture also makes it suitable for use as a standalone gateway element, allowing a high degree of scalability from very small systems up to very large. In addition to a bank of up to 24 Octasic OCT2224M DSPs, the blade has an eight-core Freescale QorIQ P4080 device for advanced IP flow management and distribution and a dual-core Intel Core i7 processor for local control and management applications.

Inphi Corp.
IN112510 and IN012510
These are presented as the world's first production-ready 100G CMOS PHY/SerDes Gearbox (GB) ICs for next-generation data center, enterprise and service provider linecards. The ICs are available in two variants: (a) The IN112510 100G GB for linecards, used alongside CFP2 or CFP4 modules. (b) The IN012510 100G GB for use in CFP module applications. They exceed critical parameters in the IEEE 802.3ba, OIF-28G-VSR and ITU specifications, and, compared to available competing SiGe and FPGA offerings, they consume one-third the power and half the area, according to the company, making them very suitable for high-density front-panel linecard implementations. They consume less than 2.5W and are housed in a 16x16mm package.

M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc.
MAOM-002108 and MAOM-002204
These modulator drivers for 100G Ethernet applications come in a 4.7 x 6.5mm SMD package. The MAOM-002108 is a high-performance MZ modulator driver operating up to 28Gbit/s. The driver IC has a low power consumption of 1.3W at 6.0Vpp output, low RMS jitter, and a typical rise and fall time of 11ps. The MAOM-002204 is a high-performance quad-channel electro-absorption modulator driver IC for 100GigE (25Gbit/s x 4) applications. It is available in a 14 x 8mm package, and each port is driven with differential input signal that can range from 250 to 500mVpp to provide an output that can be controlled from 1.0 to 2.5Vpp for each channel. The modulator driver exhibits a low power consumption of 0.75W per channel at 2.5Vpp, low RMS jitter, and a typical rise and fall time of 12.5ps.

MATA-002902 and MATA-038032A
The MATA-002902 is a 28Gbit/s dual-channel limiting TIA suitable for 100G Ethernet ROSA (28Gbit/s x 4) receivers. It operates from a +3.3V power supply and has a typical bandwidth of 21GHz. Available as a die, it features automatic DC offset compensation while the input current ranges from 0.05 to 2.5mApp. The MATA-038032A is a dual-channel differential linear TIA with AGC for 100G DP-QPSK (32Gbit/s x4) receivers. Each channel has differential input and output. The amplifier has both manual and automatic gain-control modes; in manual mode the gain can be controlled from 200Ω to 5.0kΩ differential via an external pin. In automatic mode, the gain is automatically adjusted to provide a constant output voltage. The TIA provides a linear amplification for current levels from 0.1 to 2mApp differential and has adjustable bandwidth of between 17 and 25GHz.

XX1010-QT
The XX1010-QT is an active doubler in a RoHS compliant 3 x 3mm plastic QFN package that delivers +20dBm output saturated power (Pout) and 35dBc fundamental suppression. Using a GaAs pHEMT process, it covers the 14.625-15.0 / 29.25-30.0GHz frequency bands and integrates a gain stage, doubler, and driver amplifier into a single device. The doubler is suited for satcom, millimeter-wave point-to-point radio applications, and integrates DC blocking and bypassing capacitors, eliminating the need for any external components. The device has a self-bias configuration, requiring only a positive 5V supply.

Mindspeed Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: MSPD)
M02036 and M02035
These are burst-mode TIAs for GPON OLT and XG-PON1 OLT applications, respectively. They offer optical sensitivities of -33dBm (M02036) and -29dBm (M02035) and feature good overload performance with a wide dynamic range of greater than 25 dB and fast output settling times. Both TIA outputs can be used in either single-ended or differential configurations for design flexibility. They also feature a burst-mode average-power monitor output that enables receivers to report upstream optical network unit (ONU) optical transmit power, eliminating complex and expensive external circuitry that previously was added to OLT modules to perform this function.

M21544
This is billed as a high-performance 3G-SDI cable equalizer with industry's longest reach and lowest output jitter for serial digital interface (SDI) applications. It performs adaptive, low-noise, high-gain equalization for 75ohm coaxial cables at all SDI data rates, supporting greater than 200m at 3 Gbit/s (3G). The M21544 also features an integrated jitter cleaner that enables it to deliver the lowest output jitter in the industry, according to the company, at less than 0.20 unit intervals (UI) after compensating for 200m of cable at 2.97Gbit/s. This eliminates the need for standalone reclockers at the input of a system, reducing power consumption, complexity and system cost. It also provides additional high-frequency jitter margin, which can be used for intrasystem routing and distribution. For applications where it is not required, the optional jitter cleaner can be powered down for even greater power efficiency.

Oclaro Inc. (Nasdaq: OCLR)
Optical Channel Monitor (OCM)
Presented as the industry's first 8-port flexible grid OCM, it is designed to deliver the flexibility, speed and accuracy needed for the next-generation ROADM (reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer) architectures being implemented to support 100Gbit/s and higher data rate channels. The OCM can measure the channel power and frequency of eight DWDM input ports, and incorporates advanced features such as port or channel dwelling and prioritization through advanced embedded intelligence and signal processing capabilities, according to the company. It reduces the space and power requirements in the central office by replacing switch/single-port OCM combinations or multiple 4-port modules with a single OCM.

Santec Corp.
OTF-970
This programmable wavelength and bandwidth tunable filter combines wide C+L band tunability with bandwidth tuning and sharp filter slope. The novel, freespace custom optics and an ultrafine tuning mechanism ensure precise filter control and a flat-top passband shape, according to the company. The filter is suited to high-isolation channel selection and noise filtering in high-speed transmission testing at 40 and 100Gbit/s. There are two versions, depending on transmission bandwidth range and slope shape. The Standard type has 0.1 to 15nm adjustable bandwidth with a filter slope of 200dB/nm, and the ultrafine type has 0.08 to 4nm bandwidth tuning with 400dB/nm slope. The fully programmable OTF-970 has automatic adjustment of the filter center wavelength and bandwidth. An integrated powermeter monitors output power and features an automatic peak-search function.

TSL-710
The high-performance tunable laser combines high output power with high signal-to-noise ratio and is intended for precision optical testing. A special cavity design lowers the optical ASE noise, giving the high signal-to-noise ratio of over 90dB/0.1nm, while also maintaining a high output power of over +10dBm. The laser is suitable for next-generation-components testing driven by innovations in dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) components and wavelength-selective switches (WSS) that require characterization of multi-input, high-extinction-ratio devices. It has a high wavelength accuracy of + /-1pm, a high wavelength resolution of 0.1pm, and a narrow linewidth of <100kHz. The tuning range is 160nm and the laser is designed to improve production inspection throughput by doubling the scan repetition rate over conventional lasers. The laser linewidth is less than 100kHz, making it suitable as a local oscillator in coherent transmission, as well as a tool for interferometry and sensing applications.

WSS-100
These are LCOS- (liquid crystal on silicon) based 1×2 and 1×4 wavelength selective switches (WSS) for single-slot linecard integration. The devices are intended for 4(2)x1 add or 1×4(2) drop in standard ITU 50GHz/100GHz fixed grid and next-generation flexible-grid ROADM at 100 Gbit/s to 1 Tbit/s, and for next-generation elastic optical transport networks. There are no moving parts and the devices have a compact size for a single slot of 165 (W) x 110 (D) x 20mm (H). There is an RS-232 (LVTTL) or I2C, (option) DPRAM interface.

Semtech Corp. (Nasdaq: SMTC)
SMI10022
This 100Gbit/s DP-QPSK multiplexer for ultra-long-haul telecom transponders is specifically designed to support soft-decision forward error correction (FEC), which enables a significant improvement in optical transmission reach for ultra-long-haul and submarine optical links, according to the company. It is a 4 x 32Gbit/s-output multiplexer with an on-chip clock multiplier unit (CMU) and an integrated precoder. The input data interface is user-selectable 20-lane or 10-lane and compatible with CEI-6G/11G-MR. The device features data-to-data skew adjust, full- and half-rate high-speed CML clock outputs and an on-chip PRWS error checker and pattern generator.

TriQuint Semiconductor Inc. (Nasdaq: TQNT)
TGA4947-SL
This dual-channel SMT optical-modulator driver for 40 and 100Gbit/s optical networks is presented as the industry’s first dual-channel, surface-mount optical-modulator driver that reduces bills of materials and shrinks the PCB areas dedicated to optical-driver functions. The single-ended optical modulator driver has 3 to 9Vpp adjustable output; less than 0.7ps additive RMS jitter; and 10ps rise and fall times. It offers 30dB channel-to-channel isolation (DC to 40 GHz), 32 GHz 3dB bandwidth and over 30dB gain. Power dissipation is 1.2W per channel at 6Vpp output. The device is provided in a 16.0 x 10.5 x 3.6mm SMT package; it is RoHS compliant and Smart EVB support is included.

TQP7M9105 and TQP7M9106
These packaged GaAs RF driver amplifiers presented as having the highest linearity in their class and optimized for GSM/CDMA/WCDMA and LTE base transceiver stations. Their broad bandwidth also makes them suited for remote radio heads, small cell amplifiers, defense communications systems and other applications between 50 to 1500MHz, according to the company. The TQP7M9105 delivers a P1dB RF power of 1W (+30dBm) with an output third-order intercept point (OIP3) of 49dBm, a gain of 19.4dB, and draws 220mA from a single +5V supply. The TQP7M9106 produces a P1dB power of 2W (+33dBm), an OIP3 of +50dBM, a gain of 20.8dB, and draws 455mA from its +5V supply. The amplifiers provide protection against RF input overdrive, DC overvoltage, and ESD.

TRIUMF MMPA TQM7M9053
This is a multiband multimode power amplifier (MMPA) for next-generation smartphones, and, according to the company, simplifies RF design for increasingly complex next-generation global 3G/4G smartphones and other mobile devices. The compact, highly integrated module, with high power-added efficiency (PAE), needs less PCB space than discrete components, and the simplified routing enhances system performance and reduces manufacturing time. The 5 x 7.5 mm module offers quad-band GSM/EDGE and WCDMA/LTE bands 1, 2, 5 and 8 for the 3G/4G market in North America, Europe and Asia. It is drop-in, pin-compatible with the company’s TQM7M9023 MMPA.

VI Systems GmbH
4 x 28Gbit/s 850nm VCSEL-based transmitter evaluation board
The evaluation board features a programmable driver IC and the V25-850C4 a four channel 850nm VCSEL (vertical cavity surface emitting laser) chip array with a pitch size of 250um which matches the standard pitch size of ribbon fibers. The transmitter is equipped with four pairs of high-speed electrical connectors for differential signal input and four channels of 50/125um ribbon fiber as optical output. The fiber is terminated with a standard MT connector. Target applications are short-reach optical interconnects in the computer industry.

Yenista Optics SA
XTM-50/W and XTA-50/W
These wideband tunable filters are additional options within the company's XT-type flat-top optical tunable-filter range. The wideband option increases the maximum achievable bandwidth to 3nm. It offers bandwidth adjustability from 50pm (6.25GHz) to 3000pm (375 GHz) with very sharp filter edges (500dB/nm). The filters cover the 1520 - 1570nm wavelength range and have an insertion loss of less than 5dB in combination with a top flatness of 0.2dB. The XT-type filter range already includes a Standard version with a bandwidth of 50 - 800pm covering the spectral range 1450 - 1650nm, and an Ultrafine version allowing a bandwidth of 32 - 650pm with very steep edges of 800dB/nm.

TUNICS T100S-HP/CL
The high-power tunable laser provides an output power of at least 10dBm over the tuning range from 1500 to 1630nm. It guarantees a signal-to-source spontaneous emission ratio (SSSER) of over 90dB, according to the company, and important innovations in the laser's external cavity design give significant increases in the output power and stability without any compromise on the other specifications.

Next Page: Mobile Devices & Software

Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL)
iPhone 5
This is the most hyped LTE 4G smartphone in history. As Light Reading's Sarah Reedy observed (see Apple iPhone 5: What Happened & What Didn't ): Many expected Apple's device to be a revolutionary leap over past versions, which have so far been iterative. But, by and large, that wasn't the case. The iPhone 5 is slightly bigger than its predecessor, weighs less and has a bigger screen, but, otherwise, it's the same iPhone that Apple Fanboys know and love.

Fluke Networks
AirMapperApp
This app for Android is billed as providing the first heat map of actual Wi-Fi network throughput on a smart device. While existing solutions can map speed and signal strength or perform throughput spot checks, the company says, the AirMapper App is the first to provide a visual throughput map, which is key to optimizing Wi-Fi networks by taking the actual user experience of mobile devices into account. In addition, the app also provides details of the Wi-Fi network, including access point (AP) channel, signal and security properties. Users can locate any AP on a floor map, and add text, photo, audio or video annotations during the site survey. Also, the app allows the export of the site survey projects to AirMagnet Survey PRO via email, Dropbox, Evernote, and Bluetooth, for example, for streamlined information sharing and later advanced analysis and reporting.

Fujitsu Ltd. (Tokyo: 6702; London: FUJ; OTC: FJTSY)
Stylistic M532/EA4
Presented as a 10.1in. Android 4.0 tablet for business but in a package tough enough to meet US military standards, it is built around the NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor with GeForce graphics. The display is 1280 × 800 resolution with a wide viewing angle. There is IEEE802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, and 2MP frontside and 8MP backside cameras suitable for videoconferencing and logging maintenance inspections and job-site walkthroughs, according to the company. The tablet's chassis meets the US military's specifications for durability and dustproofing, and weighs only about 560g. It has a 13.4h battery runtime.

High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC) (Taiwan: 2498)
Windows Phone 8X and 8S
These are the first smartphones from the company to use Windows Phone 8. Also for the first time, HTC is introducing a 2.1mp, f/2.0 aperture, 88° ultra-wide angle front-facing camera that allows up to four people and more to be captured at once. It also supports 1080p video capture. The rear camera has an 8mp CMOS sensor with backside-illumination (BSI) for improved low-light performance, along with an f/2.0 aperture, 28mm lens and a dedicated imaging chip. A physical shutter button makes it quick and easy to capture spontaneous action, even if the phone is locked, the company says. The 8X has a 4.3in. HD-resolution super LCD 2 screen protected Gorilla Glass 2, while optical lamination reduces reflections and glare; the 8S has a super LCD 4in. screen.

Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK)
Lumia 920 and 820
These are the first of company's smartphones to use Windows Phone 8. The 920 is the flagship device. Particular features emphasized by the company are its wireless-based battery recharging and its camera capabilities. Using advanced floating lens technology, the camera in the Lumia 920 is able to take in five times more light than competing smartphones without using flash, the company says, making it possible to capture clear, bright pictures and video indoors and at night. By pointing the camera at a city street, the City Lens feature overlays information about restaurants, shops, hotels and more on the surfaces of buildings, giving an intuitive way to explore surroundings. City Lens is the start of a new augmented-reality experience that also enhances Nokia Maps, making it possible to move between maps view and augmented reality view to help people check their direction and surroundings. The Lumia 820 is a midrange smartphone intended to deliver high-end performance in a compact package.

Qualcomm Inc. (Nasdaq: QCOM)
MSM8225Q and MSM8625Q
These are new Snapdragon S4 mobile processors with quad-core CPUs and reference-design counterpart for high-volume smartphones. Both are members of the Snapdragon S4 Play processor tier, optimized specifically for a broad range of smartphone users seeking faster applications and better user experiences, the company says. Snapdragon S4 Play processors will now offer OEMs both dual-core and quad-core CPUs and performance for entry-level smartphones, with the more advanced version featuring higher bus bandwidth, larger screen resolution support, HD video and enhanced user experiences.

TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVO)
TiVo Stream
This is an accessory allowing TiVo Premiere DVR users to watch recordings on their iPads or for the first time stream their shows and DVR content to their iPad, iPhone or iPod touch in the house without interrupting normal viewing on the television. It is compatible with TiVo Premiere, TiVo Premiere XL, TiVo Premiere 4 and TiVo Premiere XL4, and requires the company's free app for iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch.

ZTE Corp. (Shenzhen: 000063; Hong Kong: 0763)
ZTE Grand X IN
This is the company's first Android Ice Cream Sandwich smartphone with Intel Inside. It uses the Intel Atom processor Z2460 with Intel Hyper-Threading Technology, and support for HSPA+ 21Mbit/s networks with the Intel XMM 6260 platform. The phone has a 4.3in., 16-million-colour screen, an 8MP camera, Blu-ray quality movie playback and a 1650mAh, Li-ion battery. The chassis is 127 x 65 x 9.9mm and features include Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA and Mobile HD link (via micro-USB) short-range connectivity. Its wide range of audio-visual features includes Dolby sound, HD video capture and HD voice.

Next Page: Switching, Routing & Network Platforms

A10 Networks Inc.
aCloud ecosystem
Based on AX Series Application Delivery Controller (ADC) platform, it consists of a combination of AX ADC form factors and management tools for cloud service providers, and enables them to create an elastic pay-as-you grow environment and billing infrastructure, according to the company. Major elements include: SoftAX Virtual Machines, AX Series Hardware Appliances, AX Series AX-V Hardware Appliances, aGalaxy Management Server and a Cloud Licensing Infrastructure.

New trial version of SoftAX virtual machine (VM)
SoftAX is a software-based AX Series Application Delivery Controller (ADC) with a full range of Layer 4-7 load balancing, application acceleration and security features. The company says that SoftAX, which can be installed on commodity hardware atop a hypervisor in less than 10 minutes, allows customers to reduce hardware costs, deliver on data center consolidation initiatives and gain the flexibility to deploy to compatible cloud computing providers. The trial version enables up to 5 Mbit/s of bandwidth for 30 days of testing; can be upgraded to a full production copy at any time, and bandwidth can be increased with a pay-as-you-grow model, up to 8 Gbit/s; it is certified for and by VMware, Microsoft Exchange 2010 and Microsoft Lync 2010; and no human interaction to download and license.

Arista Networks Inc.
7150 Series
Presented as a software-defined switching platform for demanding applications, such as big data, cloud, Web 2.0 and financial trading, the 7150 Series offers up to 64 wire-speed 1/10GbE ports or 16 40GbE ports, the largest Layer 2/3 and multicast scale offered today, according to the company. The series supports VXLAN tunnels at wire-speed, supporting workload mobility between physical and virtual machines. It enables 40GbE ports with port-to-port latency of 350ns for Layer 2/3 forwarding. Advanced network services, such as Network Address Translation, IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol, and congestion management are now available on a single system (a first, according to the company), providing high flexibility.

Broadcom Corp. (Nasdaq: BRCM)
StrataXGS Trident II Switch Series
The high-density, feature-rich 10/40GbE switch with VXLAN support is billed as the first single chip to deliver more than 100 10GbE ports, with flexibility to support up to 32 40GbE ports. Other features according to the company include: (a) First integrated switch delivering NVGRE and VXLAN L2oL3 transit and gateway switch technologies. (b) Supports industry's highest equal-cost multipathing-based fat-tree networking scale on a single chip. (c) Greater FCoE network scale enabling true LAN/SAN convergence -- up to 4X increase in forwarding entries. (d) High port density with direct attach to SFP+/QSFP modules and KR Backplanes. (e) Integrated IEEE 1588 1-step timing solution.

Brocade Communications Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: BRCD)
24-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE) module for MLXe Series routers
This is presented as forming the industry's highest 10 GbE-core-router density and scaling up to 768 ports of 10 GbE in a single chassis. Using the new 24-port 10 GbE module, carriers can create highly scalable BGP-free MPLS Supercore networks optimized for high-speed transport and fast convergence, the company says. By reducing the number of devices and eliminating IP routing from the core of the network, providers can greatly simplify their architectures and reduce both capital expenditure and operational costs.

VDX 8770 Switch and VCS Fabric technology enhancements
The modular switch providing scale, performance and automation for private and public cloud networks is designed for enterprises and service providers striving to both simplify and scale their data-center infrastructure to accelerate new service introduction and drive innovation, while also lowering costs, according to the company. The VDX 8770 enables a single VCS fabric of up to 8000 switch ports to be expanded with up to 384,000 VMs attached to the fabric -- 20 times the scalability of the leading competitor, according to the company. Designed for real-time applications, switch also delivers a port-to-port latency at 3.5μs across all 1 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE), 10 GbE and 40 GbE ports. It is also engineered for emerging Software-Defined Networking (SDN) architectures, with flexible hardware support for network virtualization through technologies such as VXLAN overlay networking.

Centec Networks (Su Zhou) Co. Ltd.
V330
This is an OpenFlow switch reference system that forms a complete package from switching silicon to standard ToR switch with system-level software integrated. The V330 adopts industry standard OpenvSwitch(OVS) as the OpenFlow switch software stack with standard OpenFlow compliant interface to OpenFlow controllers. It delivers 88Gbit/s wire-speed switching capacity, and special features include support for: 2.5K embedded flow entries with complete match field and statistics; complete L2 to L4 match fields; per-flow multiple actions; and NvGRE, MPLS L2 VPN and other L2 tunneling technology.

Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO)
Nexus 3548 with Algorithm Boost
Designed for use in high-performance computing, high-performance trading, and big data environments, the switch offers a network-access performance as low as 190ns, enabled by the company's new Algo Boost technology. The switch also facilitates the efficient delivery of stock-market data to financial trading servers in as little as 50ns with the warp switch port analyzer (SPAN) feature, the company says, and also includes Hitless Network Address Translation (NAT), a feature to allow algorithmic traders to easily connect to any trading venue they desire without any latency penalty.

Security Solutions for Cloud-Based Data Centers
The offerings include new highly scalable software for the firewall Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) line; virtualized ASA for multi-tenant environments; a data-center-grade intrusion prevention system (IPS); and new improvements to the company's AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client to meet the requirements of a more-mobile workforce.

EZchip Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq: EZCH)
NPS Network Processor for Smart Networks
This new-architecture NPU for high-performance carrier and data-center equipment is intended for applications such as switching, routing, SDN/OpenFlow and virtualization of network elements, load balancing, TCP offload, firewall, VPNs, intrusion detection/prevention, and network analytics. Key features and capabilities according to the company include: (a) Integration -- NPU with 256 CTOPs, 4K threads, traffic manager, DPI, security, search engine and 800G I/O in one chip. (b) High performance with 400Gbit/s wire-speed packet processing. (c) Flexibility for advanced services and full Layers 2-7 stateful processing. (d) Easy-to-use C-programmable and Linux operating system.

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.
Software Defined Network (SDN) Enabled routers
Based on a high-performance, large-capacity hardware platform and fully distributed IP software platform VRP, the SDN Enabled routers have centralized control plane and software-defined forwarding plane, enabling carriers to build a SDN-ready network featuring fast service deployment, better resource utilization, and open interface for third-party application support, according to the company.

Juniper Networks Inc. (NYSE: JNPR)
vGW Virtual Gateway solution enhancements
Upgrades to vGW offer firewall enforcement and policy administration for IPv6 either alone or, optionally, with IPv4 to enable more flexibility and greater efficiency for protecting traffic. A vGW Cloud API and SDK enable businesses to create customized portals that provide their customers with self-service access to VM and security provisioning on an on-demand basis. New vGW management enhancements facilitate security for large-scale multitenant cloud deployments by offering more granular and customizable security segmentation.

Keymile AG
MileGate enhancements
New boards for multi-service access platform offer more bandwidth, provide enhanced SDH and Ethernet functions and support migration from SDH to Ethernet networks. The first board supports the transmission of TDM and Ethernet services via SDH in the hierarchy groups STM-16 (2.5Gbit/s), STM-4 and STM-1. The board offers SDH and Ethernet interfaces at the front and has access to the data traffic from the TDM bus and the Ethernet star in MileGate. By the Ethernet-over-SDH functions, the board can transmit the Ethernet data via a pure SDH backbone, allowing migration from SDH networks to purely Ethernet networks from the same subrack. It is possible to provide both types of transmission at the same time. The second board is a new central board to handle the requirements in dedicated networks. It controls each of the linecards and gateways via the backplane and ensures the uplink of the Ethernet data at a bandwidth of n x 10 GbE. The board functions as a central Ethernet switch, offering a range of functions such as VLAN services, link aggregation and multi-casting. It has three electrical interfaces, as well as two slots for optical SFP+ modules. Two 10 GbE/1-GbE uplinks and a redundant 1:1 connection to safeguard transmission can be implemented via the interfaces.

MRV Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: MRVC)
OptiSwitch 906G and OptiSwitch 9244-1210G
The Ethernet demarcation and aggregation CE2.0 Solution allows service providers to deliver next-generation services for a broad range of applications from business Ethernet to mobile backhaul to Internet Protocol television (IPTV) to Carrier Ethernet-enabled access to cloud services. The OptiSwitch 906G is a next-generation CE2.0 demarcation solution with built-in flexibility to address a wide range of deployment scenarios. It offers a range of Layer 2 to Layer 3 IP services including L2 Carrier Ethernet, Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), and IPv4/IPv6 routing. Additionally, the OS906G provides hardware-based multilayer operation, administration and maintenance (OAM) tools and integrated probes for end-to-end proactive speech and video quality and performance measurements that enable service providers to assure strict SLA requirements for their customers. The OptiSwitch 9244-1210G is a first-mile, 10GE Carrier Ethernet packet optical aggregation platform that offers FE, GE, 2.5G and 10GE speeds and consequently offloads provider edge-router ports. It also offers a very high port density to form-factor ratio with the lowest relative power consumption for nonblocking architecture with a total capacity of 200 Gbit/s.

Net Insight AB (Stockholm: NETI-B)
Nimbra 640
Presented as a cost-efficient and scalable media access gateway for media transport over IP networks, the company says that this latest addition to its Nimbra 600 platform offers unique mechanisms for quality of service (QoS) of bidirectional video and Ethernet transport. This coupled with integrated support for high-quality low-latency JPEG2000 video compression, makes it suitable for live-event contribution and remote production. Other applications include primary DTT-distribution, IPTV/cable-TV distribution and studio interconnect.

Radisys Corp. (Nasdaq: RSYS)
Single 40 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) controller solution
This is for the Intel Data Plane Development Kit (Intel DPDK) and is presented as the first to take the DPDK beyond current 10 GbE capability. According to the company, the 40G solution enables telecom equipment manufacturers (TEMs) to lower their cost-per-bit for deep packet inspection (DPI) and security applications. In addition, by using native 40G support, TEMs can reduce overall complexity and simplify their application development, shortening development time by up to 24 months. The product is suitable for a variety of form factors, including ATCA, rackmount servers, network appliances and software.

Telco Systems (BATM)
LIC-8020 and LIC-8062
These are high-density line interface card (LIC) ATCA blades to complement the company's 10GE and 40GE T-ATCA switching blades. The LIC-8020 supports 20 x 10GE ports and the LIC-8062 62 x 1GE ports, both on single 1RU blades. Using 40GE triple mesh or dual-star topologies, the cards support a non-blocking capacity toward the backplane of up to 240GE for the LIC-8020 and 80GE for the LIC-8062. They can maintain wire-speed 40G hub switching by offloading the main switching blades with the existing chassis and backplane design, for example, and the company says that they are suitable for new 40GE applications such as LTE RAN, security firewall and intrusion detection appliances, cloud gateway devices, military applications and deep-packet-inspection equipment.

Next Page: Telecom Software & Service Provider IT

Digitalsmiths Corp.
Seamless Discovery platform enhancements
Seamless Discovery Business Rules Engine gives customers new functionality for enhancing and monetizing video discovery with personalized promotions targeted to different subsets of consumers, thus creating the ability to upsell and cross-sell revenue-generating content and services, according to the company. Within the Business Rules Engine users can create, test, apply and manage rules across the entire Seamless Discovery platform. A sandbox environment enables customers to build rules then preview the impact on the discovery experience prior to making the rule live. A Reporting Console tracks real-time performance and results, offering reports on how business rules affect consumer actions and other key metrics.

Incognito Software Inc.
New Version of Service Activation Center
The updated service activation and management solution for high-speed data, telephony, IPTV, and video services handles deployments across a range of broadband platforms, networks, and devices using a single, easy-to-manage interface, according to the company. In addition to the existing support for DTV and IPTV the new version adds support for the end-to-end service activation and fulfillment of VoD services. It also allows providers to collect critical subscriber data using both Internet Protocol Detail Record (IPDR) and Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). It correlates this information with other service-activation data, including subscriber, device, and geographic location, to create a holistic and subscriber-aware view of the network. This data can then be exported to CSV, XLS, PDF or HTML files and used by various departments to help plan marketing incentives, product upgrades and network changes.

Tekelec
Mobile Policy Gateway, Application Manager, and Policy Analytics Platform.
These extend the reach of policy management to devices, over-the-top (OTT) applications, and business intelligence. They integrate with the company's Policy Server to create a policy-everywhere framework that evolves policy beyond fair usage and tiered services and enables service providers to introduce services such as subsidized or toll-free data, opt-in mobile advertising, customer loyalty/rewards programs, and application-based plans with partner ecosystems. It also extends the reach of policy to smart devices to provide intelligent Wi-Fi offload, manage "chatty" applications, improve device security and give subscribers greater control over their applications.

UXP Systems Inc.
Multiscreen Interaction Platform (MINT) version 2.5
A new release of application services platform for aggregating, unifying and personalizing multiscreen services for cable and telecom operators is billed as the industry's first application services platform to streamline the integration of multivendor services, while adding enterprise-level personalization, authentication, and discovery, among others, to video-service differentiation.

VMware Inc. (NYSE: VMW)
vCloud Suite 5.1
This is presented as integrating the company's virtualization, cloud infrastructure and management portfolio into a single SKU, simplifying the adoption of cloud-era technologies and extending the benefits of virtualization to every domain in the datacenter: compute, storage, networking, and the associated availability and security services. It includes virtualization, software-defined datacenter services, policy-based provisioning, disaster recovery, and application and operations management capabilities delivered by new releases of vSphere 5.1, vCloud Director 5.1, vCloud Networking and Security 5.1, and vCenter Site Recovery Manager 5.1. It also includes vFabric Application Director, vCenter Operations Management Suite and vCloud Connector to speed application provisioning, move workloads between clouds, and bring intelligent automation to capacity planning, performance and compliance management.

Next Page: Test & Measurement

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A)
M9381A
Billed as the world's fastest vector signal generator in a PXI form factor, this is a 1MHz - 3/6GHz VSG that combines fast switching and high RF parametric performance, according to the company: high output power, linearity and superior level accuracy, outstanding adjacent-channel power-ratio performance (for output levels up to +10dBm or more) and wide modulation bandwidth (up to 160MHz) for testing RF devices. It is designed for applications such as testing and validating the design of wireless power amplifiers and transceivers, public safety and military radios, and cellular base stations (primarily picocell and femtocell).

N4960A
This 32Gbit/s bit-error-ratio tester is suitable for product design, device characterization and production test of devices and systems operating up to 32 Gbit/s, and is available in 17 and 32Gbit/s configurations. It is very suitable for 100G Ethernet, CEI 28G VSR and 32G Fibre Channel applications, according to the company. The pattern generator and error detector, which operate at full rate speed without external multiplexers or demultiplexers, are configured as small, remotely mountable heads. They attach to the half-rack-wide BERT controller with one-meter cables, which pass clock signals, control communications and power to the heads. The pattern-generator output and error-detector input are generated and processed directly in the heads, close to the connectors. This configuration minimizes cable lengths and associated signal degradation between the heads and the device under test. The pattern generator provides hardware-generated PRBS patterns, as well as user-defined patterns up to 8Mbit long. A library of common telecom and datacom stress patterns is included. A pattern-editing tool simplifies the process of generating and modifying user patterns. Users control the system with Signal Integrity Studio software, which is included with the instrument. The software provides an intuitive setup and control interface to simplify operation.

MD8430A-085 LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation Software for MD8430A LTE Signaling Tester
Presented as the first call-based test capability providing platform for early conformance and carrier acceptance testing, the software-only upgrade uses the four available RFs in the MD8430A, and provides 300Mbit/s downlink throughput by using two 2 x 2 MIMO Component Carriers (CCs). When configured with this option, the MD8430A can test advanced wireless devices at twice the rate available on today's most advanced LTE networks, the company says. The MD8430A-085 LTE Carrier Aggregation option for the MD8430A is available now for testing LTE Category 6 wireless devices.

MT8870A Universal Wireless Test Set
This is designed for high-volume manufacturing test of all common cellular and short-range wireless technologies. An MT8870A instrument mainframe can contain up to four MU887000A TRX Test modules (10MHz to 6GHz). Each module has an integrated vector signal generator (VSA) and vector signal analyzer (VSA) to perform DUT transmitter and receiver tests. The MT8870A that has the MU887000A test module is able to control an external PC to perform RF testing. The MU887000A TRX Test Module has a wide bandwidth of 160MHz as standard and can perform RF (PHY) testing of transmitter and receiver for wireless technologies for both cellular (LTE, W-CDMA, GSM etc.) and short-range wireless (WLAN and Bluetooth). Supported systems are: LTE-FDD, W-CDMA/HSPA, GSM/EDGE, CDMA2000, 1xEVDO, WLAN 802.11ac, WLAN 802.11abgn, and Bluetooth.

MT9083 ACCESS Master OTDRs
These test sets are designed to provide one-button fault location, pass/fail classification, automated file saving and naming and a macrobend detection feature for identifying installation issues. They feature multiple wavelengths and options to satisfy many network testing requirements -- access or metro, FTTx or LAN. For customers installing and maintaining metro area or core networks, the ACCESS Master offers an automated fiber construction application and multiple wavelengths including specialty applications. Additional features include an integrated light source and powermeter plus options to customize the unit, including higher-range powermeters, visual fault locator (VFL) and connector inspection microscope.

Bridge Technologies Co AS
VB330 enhancement
This comprises a new heavy-duty OTT monitoring engine for the high-performance VB330 core network probe. The optional Bulk OTT Engine can be enabled on any existing VB330 to provide sophisticated monitoring of large volumes of OTT streams. The OTT engine tests manifest files, profiles, chunk download speed and many more parameters, to deliver comprehensive data on OTT service quality, together with customizable alarms to alert staff to potential or actual problems. The engine supports Smoothstream, HLS and HDS, and is M-DASH-ready. Designed for extremely high-density applications at points of maximum data throughput in 10Gbit/s core networks, the VB330 with OTT option offers telcos, network operators, and digital media organizations a monitoring solution with the potential for scaling to match almost any level of throughput, the company says.

EXFO (Nasdaq: EXFO; Toronto: EXF)
FG-750 Node iOLM
This is a specialized OTDR designed for in-service FTTH fiber testing, monitoring and troubleshooting. The Node intelligent Optical Link Mapper (iOLM) allows operators to monitor and validate end-to-end fiber quality from a centralized location, and throughout the lifecycle. Its ability to perform online quality control of contractual work, and to further use the same equipment for isolating and pinpointing optical-layer impairments in a more automated way is expected to significantly increase operational efficiency, the company says. In addition, the company is introducing cost-efficient 576-port and 720-port optical switch and test access modules allowing in-service addition of out-of-band OTDR signals to the line under test, all from the node. In terms of software, the connectivity and access to the test platform is provided through a full set of representational state transfer (REST) services (APIs) allowing easy integration by virtually any system integrator, network equipment manufacturer or tier-1 operator.

Fluke Networks
SmartEdge Sensor Series 4 for AirMagnet Enterprise
The dedicated sensor for Wi-Fi network monitoring eliminates the need for Ethernet cabling, and reduces the cost by up to two-thirds in situations where cable installation is prohibitive from a time, cost or logistics perspective, the company says. For customers where Ethernet cable is already available or not cost prohibitive to install, the new SmartEdge Sensor can use its internal radios (two 802.11n 3x3 MIMO 450Mbit/s plus one for dedicated spectrum analysis) to enable both 24x7 security monitoring, scanning and rogue detection, combined with client performance verification via AirMagnet Enterprise’s Automated Health Check (AHC) feature. AHC proactively tests and verifies WLAN network health from the end-user device all the way to the cloud.

JDSU (Nasdaq: JDSU; Toronto: JDU)
SmartClass Fiber Family
This is a range of optical handheld tools that integrate automatic PASS/FAIL certification for inspecting fiber and measuring optical power with one portable device. The SmartClass Fiber Family of handheld tools features a smartphone-style user interface with 3.5in. color touch screen. The first solutions being released include the digital inspection display, optical power meter, and PON powermeter, which are all compatible with the P5000i digital analysis microscope for use in IEC 61300-3-35 standard certification.

Net Optics Inc.
Flex Tap
Presented as the highest-density tap and the first to accommodate 100 Gbit/s, it can fit up to 24 taps in a 1U panel, along with support for 1, 10, 40 and 100G implementations. Placed on network links, it requires no power and maintains permanent access ports without introducing a point of failure or disrupting other network connections. The tap delivers full-duplex monitoring around the clock with zero impact on network traffic. Lack of an IP address and isolation from the network reduce exposure to attacks, the company says. The monitoring device connected to it maintains total visibility, seeing all full duplex traffic as if it were inline, including Layer 1 and Layer 2 errors.

Phoenix Photonics Ltd.
Firebird microprocessor-driven fiber polarization controllers
These include a programmable polarization control instrument and an associated polarization controller microprocessor interface. The microprocessor interface enables the existing EPC (electronic polarization controller) to be programmed directly from either a desktop or laptop computer through a simple USB interface. It is totally compatible with the existing Firebird control software and additional interface software is also available for engineers who wish to write their own control program. The polarization control instrument integrates the EPC and the PCI into a single bench-top instrument. Fully compatible with the Firebird control software, USB and RS232 standard communication links and optional GPIB and Ethernet links are also available. Additional functionality is included in the bench-top version.

Shenick Network Systems Ltd.
TeraVM
This is billed as the first high-performance, cloud-based test system that offers performance testing to 4 Tbit/s of real, stateful service and application traffic and able to pinpoint issues down to each individual application flow. Testing can be conducted in both functional and highly scaled, virtualized test beds for all hypervisors including ESXi, Xen, KVM and Hyper-V. It addresses next-generation virtualized and physical converged IP network application performance issues for 4G, VoLTE, OTT video, IPTV, VoD, multiplay (VoIP video, data), telepresence, multivendor IPsec/SSL secure VPN, security attack mitigation, deep packet inspection (DPI), traffic shaping, peer-to-peer (P2P), application-server test, metro Ethernet and IPv4/IPv6 hybrid network deployments. It also covers security testing including secure VPN and security attack mitigation testing by generating emulated DDoS attack traffic for testing virtual and highly scaled firewalls. Support for VXLAN (Virtual Extensible Local Area Network) protocol is being added to TeraVM.

Tektronix Inc.
BSA286C BERTScope
This is presented as the first to offer complete support for standards-compliant testing up to 28.6 Gbit/s, including error detection, pattern generation and clock recovery for IEEE802.3ba and 32G Fibre Channel. For debugging applications, engineers can use the BSA286C to perform true jitter measurements on a variety of signals including low-probability events, with the added ability to accurately decompose jitter into its random and deterministic components. As speeds increase, crosstalk has become a major source of jitter-related signal noise, the company says, and both the BERTScope and Performance Oscilloscopes alike have adopted a jitter decomposition model that separates out bounded uncorrelated jitter (BUJ) for rapid insight into potential design problems related to crosstalk.

Sentry Edge II
This is a video quality monitor that detects RF modulation and transport stream errors generated by equipment errors or failures. It is a high-performance, scalable solution for post-QAM monitoring in the dynamic video environment, where quick problem isolation and resolution are essential, according to the company. VSPs can use Sentry Edge II at the hub, headend or wherever QAM is used. Providers can choose from two high-density models -- four or eight tuners -- both designed to minimize rack space and power costs. RF signals up to 1GHz can be monitored, allowing monitoring of the additional services that providers have added. QAM A, B, and C support meets providers' requirements worldwide.

SPG8000 Master Sync and Master Clock Reference Generator
The company says that this provides all the required timing and synchronization signals in a convenient 1RU form factor, and accommodates the critical needs of a very robust master sync and master clock reference signal sources for 24/7 non-stop operation. Its Stay Genlock capability can maintain the reference clock frequency and phase even when there is a loss of the genlock reference input signal (for example, loss of GPS signal). When the genlock signal is reapplied, the SPG8000 will gradually reacquire lock and thus can effectively eliminate any synchronization shock in the system. There is a hot-swappable redundant dual power supply system with a daily load test of the backup power supply. SNMP and Web UI support enable integration into modern automation, central monitoring and control systems. In addition to the optional HD/SD-SDI test signal outputs, 3G-SDI format support can be added as a software upgrade.

Teledyne LeCroy
45GHz Optical Modulation Analyzer
This consists of a Southern Photonics IQScope-RT coherent optical receiver and a Teledyne LeCroy LabMaster 10 Zi oscilloscope. The Southern Photonics IQScope-RT is a proprietary coherent optical receiver that accepts a single optical input and demodulates a DP-QPSK or 16-QAM signal into two I-Q electrical signal output pairs with bandwidth up to 45GHz. The Teledyne LeCroy LabMaster 10 Zi oscilloscope is a real-time oscilloscope with up to 160GS/s and a bandwidth of up to 65GHz provides real-time analog-to-digital acquisition capabilities for the four electrical signal inputs. Optical-modulation-analysis software is provided for postprocessing of the acquired data to perform clock recovery, correct for the effects of chromatic dispersion, apply receiver equalization, and display a variety of eye and constellation diagrams and measurement parameters.

Mercury T2
The pocket-sized form-factor USB 2.0 protocol analyzer includes hardware triggering and full device class decoding, allowing it to address a wide range of USB 2.0 debug applications. It provides lossless capture of USB low-, full-, and high-speed USB as well as the On-the-Go (OTG) specification. The system includes 256MB of onboard memory and also supports spool-to-disk capture for extended recording. Measuring 3 x 3.5in., the Mercury T2 fits in a shirt pocket and is USB bus powered. It includes full device class decoding with the CATC Trace.

United Technologists Europe Ltd. (UTEL)
Fast-Light
This is a solution for automating the PON fiber-repair process and carrying out the protection switching of OLT ports. According to the company, with Fast-Light, an SNMP trap could trigger an automatic OTDR test of the fiber in the event of a fault. Within minutes of the failure event, Fast-Light would automatically identify the root cause of the failure (such as the OLT port) and robotically reconnect the fiber to a spare OLT port. Thus the customer service problem is identified and resolved without human intervention before the customers even start reporting the problem. There are four key subsystems: (a) A 1650nm OTDR that can see through multiple cascaded splitters and can clearly map 128 customers connected to a single fiber without requiring wavelength-dependent mirrors at the ONT termination. (b) An ultra-low-cost Robotic Optical Test Access Switch that can be flexibly expanded as the network grows. (c) A Robotic Any to Any Optical Distribution Frame that can physically reconfigure the fiber network in response to software processes or a remote command from a service-repair control. (d) An optional OSS.

WildPackets Inc.
OmniPeek Network Analyzer 7.0
The latest OmniPeek release (7.0) includes the ability to perform multichannel analysis, capturing data on all channels used in a wireless network simultaneously, without the data gaps typically found in offerings that scan the wireless channels. With this data, advanced analysis can be performed to solve even the most complex issues that often occur when clients are moving within the wireless network, the company says. The new version also includes OmniPeek Remote Assistant (ORA). This straightforward program eliminates the need for network engineers to capture WLAN data onsite, as it allows non-technical users to capture and collect data on WLANs and email the data to network engineers for deeper troubleshooting and analysis.

Next Page: Wireless Infrastructure

NEC Corp. (Tokyo: 6701)
iPASOLINK 100E
This provides high-capacity packet microwave transmission with carrier Ethernet capabilities and an ultracompact hardware design. The iPASOLINK 100E indoor unit can be installed in one half of a 19-n. telecom rack or on a desktop within the limited space of IT facilities. It provides the same radio performance as other products in the iPASOLINK portfolio in the 6 - 42GHz frequencies. The fanless natural-cooling system consumes 55 per cent less power than other conventional microwave products, according to the company. The 100E is also fully compatible with other iPASOLINK products

SpiderCloud Wireless
Enterprise Radio Access Network (E-RAN) system
This uses a customized baseband processor from Mindspeed Technologies to produce as system that allows mobile operators to roll out scalable deployments of robust indoor 3G systems for medium to large enterprise customers worldwide. According to the company, the self-organizing E-RAN, which can be installed in just days by a mobile operator or its partners, delivers reliable 3G coverage and capacity for 100 to thousands of people using any existing Ethernet LAN for backhaul and enterprise services integration, with full mobility and cell-to-cell handoff and synchronization with the operator's macro cellular network. The highly optimized software stack includes its own physical layer software (PHY) implementation on Mindspeed's system-on-chip (SoC). The PHY plays a critical role in solving mobility and interference problems of radio nodes, which are controlled and powered by SpiderCloud's enterprise premises-based services node.

TriQuint Semiconductor Inc. (Nasdaq: TQNT)
Ka-band (28 - 31 GHz) GaAs MMIC RF chipset for very small aperture terminals (VSATs)
Presented as combining packaged-assembly convenience with a highly linear performance and cost-effective innovation, the chipset includes the TGA4541-SM driver amplifier with 30dB gain adjustment, the TGA4539-SM 1W power amplifier, the TGC4407-SM subharmonic upconverter with integrated local oscillator (LO) buffer amplifier, and the TGC4408-SM block downconverter with dual-band switchable VCOs and subharmonic mixer.

ZyXEL Communications Corp.
LTE512x series
The home LTE gateway dselivers 4G fixed broadband Internet along with a range of connectivity options. The LTE512x series includes the LTE5121, supporting Band 4/17, and the LTE5122, supporting Band 13. Internet access is distributed throughout the home via Gigabit Ethernet, 300Mbit/s 802.11n Wi-Fi, SIP-based VoIP ports, and USB. Virtually any Internet-capable device can connect to the LTE5121 and LTE5122 and share devices such as printers and storage. Service providers can utilize its expansion options to enable new consumer applications, including home automation and monitoring with ZigBee, Z-Wave or Bluetooth-based sensor systems.

NWA1121-NI
This 802.11n access point is presented as boosting wireless coverage by 50 per cent for hotels, cafes, malls and educational institutions. The NWA1121-NI uses enhancements like TX beamforming, LDPC (low-density parity check) and MLD (multicast listener discovery) to improve the performance, reliability, and stability of the device, which also has a smoke-detector design style that makes it easier to install on ceilings for better wireless coverage. It supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) and offers eight different SSIDs (server set identifiers) and Virtual LAN features so businesses can configure it for different usage classes, including employees and guests, for security. The NWA1121-NI is Plenum rated and has dual-stack IPv6 support.