Altra Broadband Announces Completion of xDSM Transceiver Board for Broadband Networking.

Business Editors & High Tech Writers

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 07, 2002

Real-time End-to-End System Improves Bandwidth 6X;

Reach on Multi-Mode Fiber Extended 10X

Altra Broadband announced today the completion of a Dense Subcarrier Multiplexing (xDSM) transceiver board for broadband networking. The system has been used to transmit data at speeds greater than one gigabit per second on fiberoptic communication links. On multimode fiber, reach was extended to 3.5 km representing a 10X improvement over the IEEE Gigabit Ethernet Standards. This performance was achieved on 62.5-micron fiber using a single 850 nm VCSEL without the use of mode-conditioning patchcords or any additional specialized optics for mode filtering. On singlemode fiber, the system was used to transmit a gigabit-speed xDSM waveform over 26 km with a 6X improvement in bandwidth efficiency. When scaled to multi-gigabit speeds, this efficiency leads to significantly lower cost optoelectronics.

"Once again Altra's design team has achieved a key milestone on schedule," said Dr. Lawrence Williams, Altra Broadband's Vice President of Technology. "We will now leverage the xDSM transceiver system to nail down requirements for our ASIC design implementation."

The new transceiver system utilizes the company's proprietary xDSM technology, an advanced combination of digital signal processing, multilevel signaling, and subcarrier multiplexing. Transceiver implementation was accomplished using programmable logic and a custom printed circuit board. All baseband signal processing functions including initialization, channel equalization, and subcarrier multiplexing were implemented in the most advanced Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). Successful development of this complete, real-time xDSM system marks a significant milestone toward the productization of the breakthrough technology in silicon.

"The implementation of our technology in fully operational hardware sends the industry an exciting message," said Prem Premkumar, Altra Broadband's President and CEO. "With working hardware in hand, we are aggressively moving forward to create affordable solutions for next generation broadband networks."

The xDSM transceiver board enhances Altra Broadband's custom communications testbed located in the Irvine Technology Center. The flexible testbed can now be programmed to transmit any type of waveform across single mode fiber, multi mode fiber, coax, twisted pair or wireless channels. This unique capability secures the company a leadership position in the development of new products to significantly boost data rates on existing communications infrastructures.

Altra Broadband, a subsidiary of Ansoft Corporation (Nasdaq:ANST), develops communications semiconductors, subsystems and related intellectual property for the broadband communications market. The Company's products improve bandwidth efficiency allowing network equipment manufacturers to develop cost-effective network solutions that increase the capacity, extend the reach and improve the flexibility of existing and next generation broadband networks. Using advanced signal processing and automated design techniques, Altra plans to be a provider of silicon integrated circuits and subsystems for the largest and fastest growing broadband communications markets.

Ansoft is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "ANST."