Infineon Touts Convergence Processor

MUNICH -- Infineon Technologies (FSE/NYSE: IFX) today introduced ConverGate™-C, a protocol convergence processor designed to facilitate the evolution of telecommunications networks from traditional ATM transport to end-to-end Ethernet/IP. By integrating the on-chip buffer memory, this single-chip solution reduces the overall system cost of an IP-DSLAM/DLC system while increasing the capacity of xDSL channels served by a DSL linecard up to 128 channels. In combination with Infineon’s GEMINAX MAX ADSL2+ central office chipset ConverGate-C enables system vendors with cost-effective, highly competitive and future-proof system designs while providing full support for the advanced services required for 21st century, telecommunications IP networks.

The emergence of advanced communication services such as VoIP, Video on Demand, IP/Ethernet Multicast and Virtual Networks is leading system vendors toward single, cost-effective network architectures to bridge ATM-based xDSL Access with more affordable Ethernet MAN infrastructure. One effect of this evolution is the adoption of IP-DSLAM systems across the Ethernet backbone. According to Infonetics Research (November 2003) worldwide IP DSLAM revenue will more than triple by 2006 and reach US-Dollar 3.1 billion, representing 25 percent of total DSLAM revenue and 33 percent of all DSL port shipments.

”Core network designs increasingly are based on Gigabit Ethernet technology, while the Access side is still dominated by ATM based ADSL,” said Christian Wolff, Vice President, Wireline Communications Business Group and General Manager, Access Business Unit at Infineon Technologies. “It is just a natural extension to migrate Ethernet to the DSLAM/DLC backplane architecture that is based on ATM today. ConverGate-C bridges ATM and Ethernet protocols and can be easily integrated with Infineon's xDSL chip solutions, saving system providers precious design time as well as research and development costs.”

Infineon Technologies AG