PMC-Sierra will ship a “router-on-a-chip” targeting VoIP (voice-over-IP) CPE (customer premises equipment) in Q3, 2005, along with a complete Linux-based software reference design. The MSP4200 is a 32-bit MIPS-based SoC (system-on-chip) with integrated voice processor DSP (digital signal processor), the company says.

PMC-Sierra acquired its MSP (multi-service processor) chip line last year from Brecis, with an eye on the “triple-play” market for integrated video, voice, and data technology. The line was originally launched by Brecis in April of 2003.

The MSP4200 is meant for use in broadband routers with integrated VoIP capabilities. The chip supports up to four simultaneous voice channels with PSTN-quality (public switched telephone network quality), PMC-Sierra claims, and can be used to build devices that support the attachment of a normal analog phone.

Typical wireless VoIP CPE implementation
(Click to enlarge)
MSP4200

The MSP4200 is based on a MIPS32-4Kec core, and integrates a DSP-based voice engine connected via a proprietary multi-master prioritized-access system said to minimize processor involvement in bus transactions. On-chip peripheral interfaces include an external memory bus, dual 10/100 Ethernet MACs, a PCM telephone interface, PCI, dual UARTs, GPIO, 2Wire, two timers, SPI/MPI, and an ELB local bus.

MSP4200 architecture diagram
Along with the MSP4200's Linux-based reference design, PMC-Sierra offers a proprietary voice-processing module based on packet-loss concealment technology from Global IP Sound (GIPS). PMC-Sierra says GIPS's NetEQ technology provides carrier-class voice quality and latency, even in challenging network conditions, and that the technology delivered best-in-class results in testing done by China Telecommunication Technology Labs and Korea's Telecommunications Technology Association.

Wendy Toth, VP of marketing at Global IP Sound, said, “GIPS technology is field-proven with over 200 million copies currently deployed in the market, and its innovation continues to set the bar for quality in VoIP.”

Sercomm's CTO, Ben Li, added, “Voice-over-IP service deployment is experiencing rapid growth. Carriers recognize that a critical success factor for their broadband VoIP services is their ability to provide PSTN-equivalent voice quality.”

Availability

The MSP4200 processor and open-source reference design will be available in Q3, 2005.

---

 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.