Ascom Timeplex enhances the SYNCHRONY voice and data systems with 1.2 upgrade; Featuring ADPCM voice compression, LAN internetworking enhancements, frame server module and new internodal link drivers.

WOODFCLIFF LAKE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 24, 1995--Ascom Timeplex, a major provider of enterprise network systems solutions, announces SYNCHRONY ST 1.2 system upgrade for the entire SYNCHRONY family of hybrid circuit, frame relay switching and LAN internetworking products including the ST-20, ST-50 and ST-1000.

A benefit to all SYNCHRONY users, the enhanced operating system will increase the platform's overall efficiency and cost effectiveness with several new additions and reduced cost of ownership features, including the higher-capacity FSM-16 Frame Server Module.

The SYNCHRONY family of products

Unlike other LAN internetworking products on the market which do not include voice and constant bit rate capabilities, the SYNCHRONY family of voice and data products integrates voice signaling and compression with comprehensive router functionality while providing effective quality of service management. In related product releases, the ST-1000 offers a wider array of enhanced internetworking features as well. These include new HSSI and ATM interfaces for data transport between nodes, support for IP multicast, and a range of BRI ISDN enhancements which allow the user to support dial-on-demand, overflow, and central site or link backup applications.

"As a full-featured bandwidth manager, it is important that SYNCHRONY provides robust support for both data and voice applications," comments Chris Tolmie, senior marketing manager. "It is not enough to be good at one with minimal support for the other. SYNCHRONY excels at both with support for voice processing and intelligent data handling including spoofing and local acknowledgments."

SYNCHRONY's unique server-based design positions the product line to leverage new services as they become available, without having to install additional and costly access facilities. The structure of SYNCHRONY products provides the foundation for interoperability to carrier services, existing Ascom Timeplex equipment and other network elements.

Additionally, all SYNCHRONY ST-class nodes are supported by the Ascom Timeplex standards-based SYNCHRONY Network Management Systems (SNMS). Designed for scalability, SNMS is integrated with HP Open View and provides management and administration capability, enabling users to manage their SYNCHRONY networks more effectively.

ST 1.2 features

New software upgrades ASM-16's ADPCM capabilities

The new software upgrade for the Application Server Module (ASM-16) provides Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation (ADPCM) to 32 kbps for maximum cost efficiency.

Compatible with numerous public and private networks, ADPCM is a required feature for many SYNCHRONY customers today. The ASM, already supporting CELP for low speed, high quality voice compression, now supports ADPCM as it is increasingly becoming an international standard.

As is the case with previous SYNCHRONY products, the ASM-16 supports compressed voice, Group III facsimile and modem data, enabling multiple traffic types to be transported over one network trunk. The ASM-16 supports CELP or ATC voice compression types. CELP and ATC compressed voice channels operate at rates of 5.33, 8.0 and 9.6 kbps, and 7.467 kbps in increments of 533 bps, respectively. Pricing starts at $9,500.

Frame server module allows for greater traffic flow

As the volume of internetworking traffic on a network grows, frame server modules are being called upon to handle greater amounts of traffic. Designed with this in mind, the Ascom Timeplex high-capacity Frame Server Module (FSM-16) allows four 2 Mbps connections per card, nearly doubling the amount of traffic distributed over earlier frame server modules. Further performance improvements are expected in the coming months. Compatible with all SYNCHRONY ST-class products, the FSM-16 can support 16 virtual channels and is focused on higher-capacity central site applications, where packet throughput is essential. The FSM-16 also enables traffic originating from an Integrated Access Node to flow smoothly over the backbone. Pricing starts at $10,000.

Serial module enhancements

Three new four-port Internodal Links (INL), V.11, V.35 and G.703, provide redundancy of INL drivers, allowing Y-cable access to wide area connections, as well as increasing a network's reliability. Alternative network designs may utilize INLs in the wide area, in a meshed form, to increase network resiliency.

Dual AC power entry units and ST-20 DC power

Dual AC power entry offers redundancy to the ST-50's and Enterprise Router 15's power cords and facilities' power lines. A great boon, the application of dual AC configuration is a benefit in facilities that have two lines from two separate utilities or two different segments of a power grid. The introduction of the ST-1.2 offers users a DC power option to the SYNCHRONY ST-20, providing 48 VDC capability.

The AD-3, AD-7 and remote termination module

The AD-3, a data-only unit which can be used as a two-port I/O and a one-port wide area device, enables organizations to re-use existing copper wires to further extend SYNCHRONY networks. Of great importance to businesses and organizations operating in the Far East market, these access devices are compact enough to be located on a desk top, can support soft downloads and are targeted for twisted-pair infrastructures -- such as established corporate offices -- or for further extending carrier connectivity in many countries by employing 2B1Q techniques, two channels of up to 64 kbps can be achieved over the single wide area connection.

Additionally, one channel at 128 kbps can be passed over the wide area. Both synchronous and asynchronous data are transparently passed into the AD-3 for termination at any ST-class node via the Remote Termination Module (RTM), a new card which is capable of connecting up to 12 AD-3 or AD-7 devices each. Like the AD-3, the AD-7 access device, which has six I/O ports, allows data-only access to a single WAN port at 2B1Q data throughput of 128 kbps.

Any SYNCHRONY ST node can support up to 60 RTMs, enabling the ST-50, for example, to handle 720 access devices.

X.50: A feature of international importance

A feature targeted at international users, especially in the Far East, and government-oriented networks, the X.50 feature formats channels which operate at 64 kbps or below so they can be passed between X.50-compliant networks. The X.50 is ITU-standards compliant.

EXPRESS SWITCHING architecture

Utilizing the unique Ascom Timeplex EXPRESS SWITCHING technology, SYNCHRONY products ensure that unutilized bandwidth is made available, dynamically, to both frame-based data, such as LAN internetworking traffic, as well as voice and/or other constant bit rate (CBR) traffic, by providing the solution of merging CBR traffic, ie., voice, SNA data, extremely delay-sensitive data such as video and delay-insensitive LAN traffic, while constantly maintaining the appropriate service quality and ensuring the high reliability required of mission-critical networks.

EXPRESS ROUTING architecture

In addition to EXPRESS SWITCHING architecture, SYNCHRONY offers EXPRESS ROUTING architecture, a standard feature in all Ascom Timeplex internetworking products. Pioneered by Ascom Timeplex, EXPRESS ROUTING technology is the solution to bandwidth-efficient, high-performance and easily managed multi-protocol networks, even including those which use LAN and legacy data applications.

The Ascom Timeplex EXPRESS ROUTING technology provides a switched core to a routed network, giving end-users the ability to maintain the performance and integrity of legacy applications in an integrated LAN/legacy environment.

Ascom Timeplex has created in the entire SYNCHRONY product line a unified architecture for scalable, enterprise network solutions capable of providing circuits, packets and cells anywhere in the network. The SYNCHRONY family plays an essential role in the migration toward the unified, scalable enterprise network by delivering an efficient, cost-effective infrastructure for Narrowband access.

About Ascom Timeplex

Ascom Timeplex is a recognized leader in enterprise networking systems solutions. The company helps organizations manage business-critical voice, data and video traffic by providing solutions built on innovative network development, implementation and support services.

Headquartered in Woodcliff Lake, Ascom Timeplex offers global services and support for all its products in 70 countries on seven continents. Ascom Timeplex is an operating division of Ascom Enterprise Networks, a core business unit of Ascom Holding AG, Bern, Switzerland, an international telecommunications company whose shares are traded on the Zurich Stock Exchange.

Additional company and product information can be found on Ascom Timeplex's home page: http://www.timeplex.com. -0- SYNCHRONY, EXPRESS ROUTING and EXPRESS SWITCHING are trademarks of Ascom Timeplex Trading AG.

CONTACT: Ascom Timeplex, Woodcliff Lake

Patricia J. Rohme, 201/573-6467

E-mail: [e-mail]