Micrel, LSI Logic, and Arcturus Networks have teamed up on a reference design for wireless VoIP routers based on embedded Linux. The design targets the residential and small-office gateway markets, where VoIP is expected to grow quickly, the companies say. The design supports 2-8 VoIP ports.

(Click for larger view of reference design board)

The reference design uses Micrel's KS8695PX SoC (system-on-chip) processor, a “multi-port single PCI gateway on a chip” based on an ARM922 core with 8KB each instruction and data cache, and an MMU. The KS8695PX also integrates network accelerators, five 10/100 Ethernet MACs with PHYs, and a single PCI host bridge for wireless LAN support.

Micrel's Centaur KS8695PX SoC function diagram
(Click to enlarge)

Micrel and Arcturus have collaborated previously on gateway reference designs that use the KS8695 SoC.

In addition to the Micrel SoC, the reference design includes a DSP coprocessor from LSI Logic — either the LSI403LC (up to four VoIP ports) or the LSI403LP (up to eight VoIP ports). The LSI DSPs handle voice compression, G.168 echo cancellation, and telephony functions, and support G.711, G.723.1, G.726, and G.729AB voice codecs. They include on-chip memory, to reduce component counts and costs.

The reference design includes a VoIP coprocessor

Also part of the reference design is VoIP software from Arcturus. The Arcturus solution consists of:

• MIBflex, a software-development framework that provides management, routing, and control functionality
• SIPstream, which provides voice, caller-ID, call waiting, conference calling, and more

The reference design also includes an embedded Linux implementation based on Micrel's standard BSP (board support package), including Linux 2.4.21 kernel. “To help optimize the footprint we've used mostly uClinux embedded components, including our uCuserland and uClibc rather than GLIBC,” says David Steele, Product Manager at Arcturus, a leading uClinux contributor headed up by uClinux pioneer Jeff Dionne.

VoIP set for growth

According to Tuan Dao, GM of LSI's DSP division, the market for soho (small office / home office), residential, and SMB (small to medium-sized business) wireline/wireless routers, with VoIP, is estimated at $2 billion by 2006, with 30 percent year-to-year growth.

“The next evolution of the SOHO/SMB gateway promises the addition of voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology,” noted Dr. Jung-Chen Lin VP of Ethernet at Micrel.

Jon Arnold of Analyst firm Frost & Sullivan said, “The North American market [for residential VoIP] is forecast to exceed 18M subscribers by 2008. From 2005-2008, this represents an explosive CAGR of 78 percent.”

 
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