DGI Technologies Introduces Digital Signal Interface Card That Cancels Echo On Phone Calls.

Business Editors & Technology Writers

RICHARDSON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 9, 2000

DSI-4000 E Integrates Signal Interface and Echo Cancellation 

Onto One Card to Provide Low Cost, Enhanced Alternative To OEM 

DGI Technologies (DGI), a premier supplier of long-distance and cellular switching products, announced today the availability of the new DSI 4000 E Digital Signal Interface Card.

This new product was designed specifically for use with Alcatel USA's(1) DEX-600 E systems that utilize DSI frames. DGI integrated the functions of signal interface, tone detection and echo cancellation onto one card. DGI's DSI-4000 E is a complete solutions product that resolves the intermittent echo on phone calls, providing a more efficient and lower cost solution.

The DSI-4000 E is a direct replacement and enhancement for Alcatel's DSI-1 cards and allows DGI customers to expand and upgrade their DEX-600 E switching systems at a fraction of the cost of a new frame. With the integration of echo cancellation onto a single card, the need for stand-alone echo cancellation equipment is eliminated. Because the stand-alone equipment is no longer necessary, power consumption and heat dissipation are greatly reduced. This has a dramatic effect, decreasing utility and operating expenses. In addition, The DSI-4000 E, by operating within the frame, reduces equipment maintenance costs and frees up valuable floor space, which allows for the installation of revenue generating equipment.

"DGI developed and effectively deployed the DSI-4000 E card in response to the overwhelming success of our other cards with built-in echo cancellation. We are thrilled to announce the DSI-4000 E is receiving equal praise. This card is a superior product that cancels problematic echo while saving our customers money," stated Lyle Coffman, president and COO of DGI. "We are pleased that DGI's innovative concepts are sensations in the marketplace. Our goal is to continue to offer complete solutions that allow DGI to provide state-of-the-art solutions and services to our customers."

Key benefits and features of echo cancellation include fast convergence, robust double talk performance, continuous circuit monitoring of signal levels and echo statistics, dynamic comfort noise, self-test diagnostics, as well as selectable maximum tail path delay. The acoustic coupling control feature, in addition to canceling hybrid echo from the wire-line side, eliminates background noise to provide a clearer voice connection. Therefore, echo is eliminated from both directions with the use of only one echo canceller.

In addition to being pin compatible, the DSI-4000 E card is based on DGI's field-proven trunk interface technology and meets or exceeds the requirements of ITU-T G.168 specifications. The product provides two standard T1 interfaces, AMI and B7S line codes, as well as superframe (SF) and extended superframe (ESF) capabilities, which is compatible with existing equipment. It additionally provides AMI and B8ZS line coding options and 64 kb/s clear channel capability for data applications.

Features and benefits of the DSI-4000 E:

-- North American Standard DS1 / T1 compatibility to interface

with a broad range of existing equipment

-- SF or ESF formats and AMI, B7S or B8ZS line coding allows

tailoring to additional network configurations

-- DEX compatible alarm and error monitoring plus switch

selectable loop-back settings for diagnostic purposes

-- Reduced power consumption and heat dissipation to lower

utility and operating expenses

-- Hybrid cancellation and acoustic coupling control algorithms

eliminates echo using only one echo canceller

-- Total compatibility to prolong equipment life and reduce

life-cycle cost

-- Improved quality and reliability produce fewer outages and

improved customer satisfaction

-- Lower cost plus compatibility with DEX-600 E switching

systems, reduces cost and frees up valuable floor space

Availability and Cost:

The DSI-4000 E is available with a variety of configuration options to support various echo cancellation applications including individual channel bypassing to provide a clear channel path for nailed-up data connections. Special features also provide additional flexibility for other data requirements. The DSI-4000 E costs up to 50 percent less than stand-alone echo cancellation and cards produced by the OEM.

About DGI Technologies:

DGI Technologies, Inc. develops and sells new replacement, upgraded expansion digital interface cards, shelves and frames to long-distance and cellular telephone companies that utilize DEX tandem and EMX cellular switching systems originally manufactured by Alcatel USA. Before DGI entered the marketplace in 1991, the original equipment manufacturers were the sole suppliers of after-market products for long-distance telephone switches. This forced customers to rely on the switch manufacturers for replacement parts and upgrades. Customers then had to buy expensive new switches to receive product enhancements incorporating the newest technology. With DGI products, users can update their switching systems without replacing them, saving money and significantly extending the life of their equipment. Further information is available on the World Wide Web at www.dgitech.com.

(1) Indicates a mark of Alcatel USA.