Zarlink Intros TDM-to-ATM Chips

OTTAWA -- Zarlink Semiconductor (NYSE/TSX:ZL) today announced immediate availability of the industry's two most highly integrated AAL1 SAR (segmentation and reassembly) chips for TDM-to-ATM (time-division multiplex-to-asynchronous transfer mode) conversion. By eliminating the need for up to six external devices in TDM-to-ATM designs, Zarlink's new MT90528 and MT90520 AAL1 SARs significantly reduce board space, lower system costs, and boost efficiency. The 28-port MT90528 and the 8-port MT90520 are the industry's first TDM-to-ATM conversion devices with on-chip, per-port PLLs for network synchronization, plus on-chip SRAM for channel buffering. The chips also achieve low voice processing delay (latency), eliminating the need for external VECs (voice echo cancellers). These features, combined with support for multiple data transfer modes, make Zarlink's new AAL1 SARs the industry's most flexible, integrated, and cost-effective devices for TDM-to-ATM interworking. The MT90528 and the MT90520 are designed for applications in ATM edge switches, multi-service switches, broadband digital loop carriers, and ATM voice and media gateways. The lower-density MT90520 is also suitable for use in integrated access devices. "Customers want to optimize their TDM-to-ATM conversion designs for performance and cost-efficiency, while using less board space," said Bruce Ernhofer, product manager, Zarlink Semiconductor. "Our two new AAL1 SARs deliver low-latency performance and a level of integration that reduces the need for external framers, echo cancellers, and memory devices." Zarlink Semiconductor Inc.