PMC-SIERRA INTRODUCES CHESS CHIP SET ARCHITECTURE FOR THE OPTICAL EDGE
PMC-Sierra introduced an OC-48/OC-48c channelized chip set architecture for integrating IP routing, ATM/Frame Relay switching, SONET/SDH digital cross connect/add-drop multiplexing and DWDM transport into a single platform.  The CHESS (Channelizer Engine for SONET/SDH) chip set is designed to manage and groom SONET/SDH traffic at both STS-1/DS3 (51/45 Mbps) base access rate and at OC-48/STM-16 (2.5 Gbps) base DWDM rate granularities.  The chip set provides SONET/SDH framing capability at OC-3, OC-12 and OC-48 optical line rates. Its STS-1 channelized traffic grooming capability allows for dedicated service processing cards such as Packet-over-SONET, ATM and Frame Relay that replace dedicated network equipment. PMC-Sierra said the STS-1 grooming capability of its CHESS chip set will allow for sub-lambda wavelength processing such that multiple user services could be run over individual 2.5 Gbps lambda wavelengths.  The architecture will scale to OC-192/STM-64 rates. http://www.pmc-sierra.com/chess
PMC-Sierra, April 24, 2000

GLOBESPAN ACQUIRES T.SQWARE FOR NETWORK PROCESSORS
GlobeSpan will acquire T.sqware, a start-up developing programmable network processors, for approximately $200 million in stock.  T.sqware's programmable network processing chipset and integrated software suite is designed for switches, routers, remote access concentrators, and DSLAMs.  The design supports DS0 through OC-3 and is scaleable to OC-48 data rates.  T.sqware is based in Santa Clara, Ca. and has 75 employees.  http://www.globespan.net/press.htm
http://www.tsqware.com/
GlobeSpan, April 24, 2000

In January, GlobeSpan acquired Ficon Technology, a developer of source code for a range of communications systems, including IP edge switches and routers, ATM edge and core switches, Voice Gateways, Integrated Access Devices, DSL modems and DSL Access Multiplexers (DSLAMs).  Also in January, GlobeSpan acquired PairGain Technologies’ microelectronics group, designers of integrated circuits and software for DSL applications.

CORNING TO ACQUIRE NZ APPLIED TECH. FOR OPTOCERAMIC DEVICES
Corning will acquire NZ Applied Technologies, a privately-held developer of OptoCeramic device and packaging technology, for up to $150 million in Corning common stock.  NZAT is developing a line of solid-state, OptoCeramic components for DWDM systems, such as variable optical attenuators (VOAs).  Its development programs include variable attenuator arrays, tunable optical filters, optical switches, and polarization controllers.  Corning has been an investor in the Woburn, Ma.-based company.  http://www.corning.com/news/news_update2/index.html
http://www.nzat.com/
Corning, April 24, 2000

NORTEL NETWORKS TO RESELL AIRFIBER'S WIRELESS OPTICAL SYSTEMS
Nortel Networks signed an OEM agreement covering wireless optical networking systems from AirFiber, a start-up based in San Diego, California.  The deal covers AirFiber's OptiMesh network equipment, a carrier-grade 622 Mbps point-to-point system that uses open-air lasers aligned to each other with a clear line of sight.  AirFiber's system will use a "mesh" or multiple point-to-point design to ensure reliability.  The companies have been working together for several months.  http://www.airfiber.com  http://www.nortelnetworks.com
AirFiber, April 24, 2000

• AirFiber is led by Jim Dunn, who formerly co-founded Primary Access Corporation, a developer of software-downloaded modems that was acquired by 3Com in 1995.
  
• Earlier this month, Lucent and TeraBeam Networks, a start-up service provider using over-the-air optical technology to deliver gigabit access services, will form a systems company to integrate its fiberless optical networks.

GLOBAL CROSSING OFFERS OC-48 OPTICAL WAVELENGTH SERVICE FOR ISPs
Global Crossing began offering its wholesale customers optical wavelengths at OC-48 in major cities throughout its North American Crossing network.  The optical wavelength service is an alternative to high capacity private line service or dark fiber leases for applications such as ISP backbones, where SONET protection may not be required.  Global Crossing said its plans to expand the optical wavelength service to OC-192 speeds and international availability later this year.  http://www.globalcrossing.com
Global Crossing, April 24, 2000

NARUS AND CONVERGYS CLAIM USAGE IP BILLING SCALING TO 50 MILLION USERS
NARUS and Convergys, both start-ups developing usage-based IP billing systems, demonstrated a throughput rate of nearly 6,000 IP usage-based billing events per second (BEPS) – equivalent to traffic loads for 50 million subscribers on an IP-services network, according to the companies.  The testing simulated VOIP network traffic.  The NARUS IBI Platform was used to generate usage events. NARUS Analyzers installed in the test network monitored the network traffic and produced session records in real time. These were processed and converted into billing events using NARUS LogicServer software and the NARUS Billing Mediation System application. The billing events were then passed to Convergys' carrier-grade billing systems where they were processed and rated immediately upon receipt.  http://www.narus.com/  http://www.convergys.com/
NARUS, April 24, 2000

• The IP detail record (IPDR) initiative aims to define the essential elements of data exchange between network elements, operation support systems and business support systems.  http://www.ipdr.org

RIVERDELTA NETWORKS DEBUTS ITS BROADBAND SERVICES ROUTER
RiverDelta Networks, a start-up based in Tewksbury, MA. introduced its Broadband Services Router 64000, a content-aware, IP switch/router designed to deliver hundreds of thousands of voice, data, video, music, and other interactive IP-based service flows over shared cable and other broadband network infrastructure.  RiverDelta uses a proprietary SmartFlow technology to allocated bandwidth to hundreds of thousands of unique IP service flows at multiple levels, including on a per-application, subscriber, and system and service provider basis.  The SmartFlow enables carriers to guarantee Service Level Agreements (on an end-to-end basis from the customer to the core network.  A SmartFlow Virtual Network Router (VNR) allows cable network operators to offer independent virtual networks to multiple service providers over HFC infrastructure while ensuring the isolation, policing, and address management needed to implement measurable SLAs.  RiverDelta said its Service Creation and Management System would scale to support millions of subscribers with customized IP services.  The initial product is a 16 slot, NEBS-compliant chassis featuring a 1:1 redundant integrated system control, switching and routing module; 1:N redundant Network Interface Modules and DOCSIS Modules; and an RF switch for emergency maintenance calls.  WAN interfaces include OC-3 (4 port), OC-12 (4 port) and OC-48 (1 port) SONET modules with POS, ATM and intermediate or long-reach optics.  Beta tests are expected this summer.  http://www.riverdelta.com/pr041900.html
RiverDelta Networks, April 24, 2000

• RiverDelta is led by Dave Callan, the former founder and CEO of XCOM Technologies, a facilities-based CLEC acquired by Level3. 

SCIENTIFIC-ATLANTA INVESTS IN LUMINOUS NETWORKS, SIGNS OEM AGREEMENT
Scientific-Atlanta will invest $10 million in Luminous Networks, a start-up developing Gigabit IP over Fiber products.  Scientific-Atlanta also agreed to resell Luminous Networks' forthcoming access switches for cable service providers.  http://www.scientificatlanta.com
http://www.luminousnetworks.com
Scientific-Atlanta, April 24, 2000

BELL ATLANTIC TO OFFER ADVA'S OPTICAL SERVICE PLATFORM IN METRO NETWORKS
Bell Atlantic selected ADVA Optical Networking's Fiber Service Platform-II to provide managed services to metro customers.  Under a 3-year contract, INRANGE Technologies will supply and support ADVA's optical system for Storage Area Networking (SAN) and transparent LAN applications.  Financial terms were not disclosed.  ADVA is headquartered in Munich, Germany.
http://www.advaoptical.com/
ADVA, April 24, 2000

• ADVA's Fiber Service Platform-II is a 32-channel capable DWDM chassis offering transparent "fiber-in-fiber-out" interfaces for FDDI, ATM, ESCON, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, OC-3/-12/-48, STM-1/-4/-16, Fibre Channel, FICON and coupling link.  Alcatel has an OEM arrangement covering ADVA's FSP-II product.  In February, ADVA acquired Storage Area Networks Ltd., a developer of a switching system combining Fibre Channel, SCSI, ATM and Gigabit Ethernet based in the UK.

CBEYOND RAISES $141 MILLION TO LAUNCH IP BROADBAND NETWORKS
Cbeyond Communications, a start-up service provider, raised $141 million in financing to launch broadband IP networks in tier-One US cities.  Cbeyond plans to provide local and long distance voice, high speed Internet access, and enhanced data applications from a common IP architecture.  Its first network is planned for Atlanta beginning in Q4 2000.  Investors include Madison Dearborn Capital Partners, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Private Equity, Battery Ventures, VantagePoint Venture Partners and Cbeyond 's founding management.
Cbeyond, April 24, 2000

MATSUSHITA AND QUANTUM DEVELOP 1394 DISK DRIVES FOR VIDEO APPLIANCES
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. (Panasonic) and Quantum Corporation's Hard Disk Drive Group announced the first audio/video hard drive subsystem that records and plays back digital content with random access digital video recording (DVR) functionality over IEEE 1394. This 1394 A/V hard drive will be used for Panasonic consumer electronics products that will begin shipping the second half of 2000.  The companies expect the IEEE 1394 interface to be common interconnect for the next-generation of digital home appliances.  http://www.panasonic.co.jp  http://www.quantum.com
Quantum, April 24, 2000

• The Home Audio/Video Interoperability (HAVi) Organization, which is backed by Grundig, Hitachi, Matsushita (Panasonic), Royal Philips Electronics, Sharp, Sony, Thomson Multimedia and Toshiba, is developing specifications based on IEEE 1394 digital interface (i.LINK or FireWire) for networks of home entertainment devices.  A beta specification is currently available.  http://www.havi.org/home.html

2WIRE SECURES $53 MILLION FOR RESIDENTIAL DSL GATEWAY BOX
2Wire, a start-up developing residential DSL gateways, secured $53 million in a mezzanine round of financing.  Total funding for 2Wire now stands at $83 million. 2Wire's forthcoming HomePortal residential gateway devices will deliver broadband content from a DSL service to computers, phones, and entertainment equipment.  2Wire is headquartered in San Jose, California.  Investors include Meritech Capital, DCM, INVESCO Private Capital, Venrock Associates, Accel Partners and Oak Investment Partners.   http://www.2wire.com/
2Wire, April 24, 2000

• 2Wire is led by Brian Hinman, who is also Chairman and co-founder, and formerly CEO, of Polycom and was co-founder of PictureTel.

COPPER MOUNTAIN INTRODUCES TURBO-CHARGED G.LITE ADSL
Copper Mountain Networks introduced a new 24-port, turbo-charged G.lite line card that extends the range of G.lite ADSL to 3.0 Mbps.  Downstream speeds now range from 64 kbps to 3.0 Mbps in 32 kbps increments, while upstream speeds are the same as ordinary G.lite, ranging from 32 kbps to 512 kbps, also in 32 kbps increments. Maximum distance remains 19,000 feet over 26-gauge wire and 26,200 over 24-gauge wire. The 3 Mbps G.lite service can be deployed on regular ADSL/G.lite copper loops. The line card was developed for the company's family of CopperEdge DSL concentrators.  http://www.coppermountain.com/news/04242000pr.html
Copper Mountain, April 24, 2000

LUCENT INTRODUCES TURBO-CHARGED G.LITE ADSL
Lucent Technologies introduced a new 48-port G.lite line card for its Stinger DSLAMs supporting downstream rates of up to 3 Mbps.  IP Communications (IPC), a start-up service provider based in Dallas, will be the first to deploy the card in its network of Stinger DSLAMs and CBX 500T Multiservice ATM switches.  http://www.lucent.com/press/0400/000424.nsa.html
Lucent Technologies, April 24, 2000