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TI's Breakthrough Technology Revolutionizes Optical Wireless Networking
Industry's First Optical Wireless Reference Design Uses TI's Analog Micro-mirror and DSP to Deliver 100 Times Faster Data Rates
DALLAS (April 23, 2001) - A new technology from Texas Instruments (TI) Incorporated (NYSE: TXN) dramatically cuts the cost and complexity of bringing the high-speed data rates of optical networking to end users. Combining its leadership in digital signal processors (DSP) and analog with MicroElectro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS), TI announced today the immediate availability of its Optical Wireless Solutions reference design that allows system developers to wirelessly deploy dedicated 100 Mbps 802.3 compliant Ethernet connections -- 100 times greater than currently available wireless systems. This development expands the multi-billion dollar market for companies building systems or delivering services that harness optical networking technology, enabling high-speed broadband access networks for homes and offices. (See http://www.ti.com/sc/alp).
TI's Optical Wireless Solution brings more options for deploying networks by eliminating expensive labor and cabling costs as well as any spectrum licensing requirements worldwide. Enabling fast and cost-effective deployment, TI's breakthrough makes optical networks viable and clears the way for highly affordable, multi-Gbps wireless optical networks; systems low enough in cost for businesses of any size and, ultimately, consumers to afford.
In addition to wireless 100-Mbps full-duplex, point-to-point secure communications, TI's Optical Wireless Solutions reference design brings new levels of flexibility, manageability and ease-of-installation to local area network (LAN) system design. TI's solution utilizes a packet-based transmission scheme compatible with comprehensive network management software, giving administrators the ability to implement fully managed systems. Each smart unit can seek, acquire, track and hold its counterpart in the network and is capable of being managed remotely.
"TI's Optical Wireless Solutions will enable network managers to choose a wireless format as a direct alternative to Cat 5 wiring in 100 Mbps switched networks with no degradation in performance. With nearly one billion Ethernet ports on the planet, the opportunities for this reference design are real," said Jose Melendez, worldwide manager, Analog MEMS Networking Products, TI. "This solution expands TI's portfolio of high-speed broadband options and enhances our existing portfolio of optical networking technologies."
At the heart of the Optical Wireless Solutions reference design are TI's analog MEMS mirror, optical transceiver, mixed-signal, analog and DSP components. The two-axis, gimbaled MEMS mirror reflects light with virtually no loss in optical power. The DSP, coupled with extensive control algorithms, steers the mirror with precision to a fraction of a micron, allowing switching speeds of less than five milliseconds (ms). In addition, TI's high-speed data converters, operational amplifiers and power management ICs combine to offer the performance required to meet the overall system needs. Finally, by offering a programmable, flexible platform, customers and third parties can develop valuable network management software and enhanced feature sets that address their specific needs.
The Optical Wireless Solutions reference design is the first product based on TI's Analog Light Processing platform, which is made up of TI's analog micro-mirror, DSP, analog ICs and software. LAN systems are the first of many networking and data transmission products that will benefit from this platform. TI's Analog Light Processing platform's ability to intelligently direct light across distances, independent of protocol and with unlimited data rates, makes it ideal for a variety of applications, including metro-free space optics, last mile residential connections, photonic switching and optical networking.
TI's Optical Wireless Solutions reference design is available now, making this breakthrough possible in OEM products being designed today. It can be viewed in action this week at the National Association of Broadcasters conference in Las Vegas at the Vbrick Technologies Booth #M9368.
"The combination of our state-of-the-art Video over IP products with TI's groundbreaking optical wireless approach should lead to very exciting new applications in the markets we serve," said Frederick Geyer, Chief Executive Officer, VBrick Systems, Inc.
First OEM products based on TI's reference design are planned to be introduced in June.
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