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Parama Networks Introduces PNI8010 ADM-on-a-Chip for Low Cost OC-48/STM-16 Add/Drop Multiplexer Systems

Posted on: Monday, 30 August 2004, 06:00 CDT

ADM-on-a-Chip product line now extends from 10G to 160G of circuit capacity based on common architecture - from legacy to next-gen networks

Parama Networks today introduced the PNI8010, the latest "system on a chip" device in their patented ADM-on-a-Chip (AoC) family. Parama's AoC is transforming SONET and SDH networking by placing all the functions of a full-featured add/drop multiplexer (ADM) on a single CMOS IC. Complementing the previously introduced PNI8040 and PNI8160 AoCs, the new device incorporates eight programmable tributary interfaces to run at OC-3/12 or STM-1/4 rates, two OC-48/STM-16 line interfaces, and 10 G of non-blocking cross-connect. Like the other members of the family, the device is extremely power efficient, drawing less than 4 watts.

Parama developed the AoC to assist the telecomm OEM ("original equipment manufacturer") community with the urgent task of developing highly efficient and lower-cost equipment for "next-generation" SONET or SDH services (e.g., "packet over SONET"), multi-service provisioning platform (MSPP), and multi-service transport platform (MSTP) applications.

"Our goal is to commoditize the transport network silicon," said Hemant Bheda, CEO of Parama Networks. "The PNI8010 is the latest in a planned string of product announcements in pursuit of that goal. This chip brings us a step closer to enabling the '$5000 ADM' that we discussed at Supercomm. Our network equipment customers are counting on us to drive cost out of the network equipment so that they can compete effectively in next-gen SONET/SDH equipment deployments, and in hotly contested growth markets such as India and China."

"The ADM-on-a-Chip is an impressive achievement and the new 8010 will help ADM manufacturers build metro edge and core products. It is a natural complement to Parama's higher-capacity ADM-on-a-Chip products introduced earlier," said Michael Howard, Principal Analyst and Co-Founder of Infonetics Research. "I am impressed that, in addition to fully-compliant SONET and SDH functionality, the centralized architecture supports 50 msec mesh restoration and per-service protection for efficient data transport."

The PNI8010 is manufactured in 0.13u CMOS process and packaged in an 831 pin flip chip BGA package. Production samples are available now.

About Parama Networks

Parama Networks (www.paramanet.com) is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in System-on-a-Chip solutions for the telecommunications transport equipment market. The company was funded in March 2001 with support from Azure Capital Partners, Cross Bridge Ventures, Menlo Ventures, Network Angel Capital and Sprout Group. Parama's unique products enable equipment vendors to deliver innovative products with faster time to market, and reduced cost, power and size. Led by a management team that has many years of experience in system-on-a-chip product development, SONET/SDH system design, software development, and marketing, the company has received 3 U.S. Patents and has 22 others pending.

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