Legerity Introduces Voice Access Solutions Chipset, the Industry's First Dual-Channel, Two-Device Voice-Over-Broadband Solution.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 12, 2001

New VoSLIC(tm) and VoSLAC(tm) Chipset, Backed by Legerity's

Development Tools and Expertise, Reduces Cost and Complexity of

Adding Voice to Short-Loop Broadband Systems

Legerity, the proven communication IC company, today introduced the dual-channel VoSLIC(tm) subscriber line interface circuit and dual-channel VoSLAC(tm) codec/filter, the first members of Legerity's Voice Access(tm) Solutions family for voice over broadband (VoB) applications.

These two Voice Access IC products comprise the industry's first dual-channel, two-device chipset designed specifically for short loops of up to 2,000 feet and optimized for VoB systems.

Legerity's Le77D11 VoSLIC and Le78D11 VoSLAC chipset addresses the system cost, power, density and feature-set requirements of VoB customer premises equipment (CPE) designs, such as integrated access devices (IADs), smart residential gateways and cable telephony equipment. With its 3.3V operation, integrated switching regulator and small-footprint TQFP packaging, the chipset is designed to reduce power, board space and component count over competitive IC solutions. These system-level savings, in concert with built-in VoB features such as on-chip ringing, caller ID and integrated loop testing, make the Voice Access chipset the ideal price/performance solution for adding toll-grade "derived voice" to short-loop applications.

"The dual-channel Voice Access chipset is an evolutionary extension of Legerity's 20 years of expertise in POTS voice ICs and systems knowledge now applied to the unique needs of VoB applications," said Jim Covell, general manager of Legerity's voice over broadband products. "The dual-channel VoSLIC and VoSLAC devices offer system optimizations and feature enhancements over the field-proven Legerity voice IC technology already used in many VoB systems. Our new Voice Access chipset hits the sweet spot of the short-loop market by achieving the highest density at the lowest power and lowest system-level cost."

"ARRIS is excited to be working with Legerity as an Alpha partner to evaluate its new Voice Access Solutions chipset," said Bruce McClelland, vice president of engineering at ARRIS Broadband. "Cable telephony access equipment requires cost-effective, high-density voice solutions that have been highly optimized for voice over broadband applications. Legerity's Voice Access chipset offers innovative features, such as integrated broadband loop testing, that will be welcomed by the growing VoB market."

Legerity voice IC products, including Ringing SLICs and four-channel codec/filters, have been chosen to handle derived voice functions in a growing number of VoB access equipment reference designs from such broadband IC innovators as BRECIS, Ishoni Networks and VoicePump (DSP Group). Deployment of VoB access equipment is expected to increase significantly as service providers complete field trials and begin to offer bundled voice and data services to subscribers. Primary VoB markets include residential users with multiple phone lines and computers and millions of small to mid-size businesses (SMBs).

"Voice over broadband is perhaps the most important value-added service that is currently being tested by telcos and cable operators to leverage the broadband buildout," said Matt Davis, a senior broadband analyst at the Yankee Group. "As derived voice plays a more central role in the broadband marketplace, vendors will be looking for technologies that drive cost out of mass producing VoB equipment. Legerity's Voice Access IC products are poised to play a key role in this market."

Chipset Features: The Next Generation of Voice IC Integration

The Le77D11 VoSLIC device is the industry's first 3.3V, dual-channel, VoB-optimized SLIC with an on-chip switching regulator. The Le77D11 device supports on-chip sinusoidal ringing (90V peak) with DC offset, low-power standby state, polarity reversal and programmable current limit. The device operates on a battery voltage range of 8V to 40V and generates all necessary ringing and line bias voltages. VoSLIC devices are manufactured on Legerity's high-voltage, high-speed HV7 process technology. Bipolar process is the technology of choice for manufacturing low-cost SLIC devices. Legerity's exclusive HV7 bipolar process enabled the development of a cost-effective, dual-channel SLIC device capable of operating at voltages up to 140V for on-chip ringing while maintaining a low, 3.3V operating VCC.

The dual-channel Le78D11 VoSLAC codec/filter is a low-power, 3.3V CMOS device that integrates a wide range of derived voice features that are essential for VoB applications. Key on-chip capabilities include caller ID tone generation, dual-tone multiple-frequency (DTMF) modem tone detection, programmable impedance and hybrid functions, adaptive balance, loop supervision and metering generation.

Integrated Loop Testing for Lower Cost of Ownership

The VoSLIC and VoSLAC chipset's integrated loop testing and diagnostic capabilities enable service providers to remotely test and troubleshoot customer premises equipment, thereby minimizing the need for costly "truck rolls" and reducing total cost of ownership. Legerity pioneered the use of integrated loop testing in long-loop telephony applications and is now applying this on-chip technology to meet the line testing requirements of VoB applications. When used with Legerity's VoicePath(tm) development software, the Voice Access chipset can demonstrate compliance with the emerging GR-909 broadband loop testing standard.

Rich Development Environment for Fast Time to Market

The VoSLIC and VoSLAC chipset is a software-programmable solution that meets key North American, European and Asian telecommunications standards. The chipset is supported by the communication IC industry's most comprehensive voice application development environment, which includes the VoicePath developer's kit, Voice Access evaluation boards and VoB system reference designs. The combination of these development tools, along with Legerity's global applications support, will enable faster design cycles and lower engineering and production expenses for broadband equipment manufacturers.

Pricing and Availability

The dual-channel Le77D11 VoSLIC and the dual-channel Le78D11 VoSLAC devices are available in industry-standard, 44-pin Thin Quad Flat Pack (TQFP) packages. Chipset pricing is less than $5 per channel in volume quantities. Chipsets are currently being sampled to selected customers, and general sampling will commence in January 2002. Evaluation boards and reference designs for the Voice Access Solutions chipset are available at no charge to qualified customers.

About Legerity Inc.

Legerity is the proven communication integrated circuit (IC) company providing system solutions that accelerate the deployment of integrated voice and data networks. Legerity combines IC design expertise and unique process technology with global applications support for leading communication system manufacturers worldwide. Visit Legerity on the Web at www.legerity.com.

Legerity, the Legerity logo, and combinations thereof and Voice Access, VoSLIC, VoSLAC and VoicePath are trademarks of Legerity Inc.

All other brand and product names are used for identification only and may be trademarks of their respective companies.