Lucent Technologies Introduces Compact, Versatile Clock Protection Switch and Clock Synthesis Chip for Telecom, Datacom Applications.

Business & Technology Editors

NetWorld Interop Atlanta 2000

Booth 5463

ALLENTOWN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 25, 2000

Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) Microelectronics Group, the world leader in communications semiconductors, today announced an integrated clock protection switch and clock synthesis integrated circuit (IC) for telecommunications and data communications systems that cuts board space needs and delivers a wide range of clock frequencies. The new integrated timing solution simplifies a system engineer's task of synchronizing all the high-speed processing in these communications systems.

The new IC, called the TSWC01622, can be incorporated in line cards, switch cards or shelf timing cards for systems such as routers, switches, add-drop multiplexers, cross-connects, remote access servers, and other network access and transport systems.

The TSWC01622 continuously monitors the working and protection master system clock signals and switches to the protection signal if the working signal is lost. It performs the switch hitlessly; that is, with no bit errors on the output, while meeting applicable worldwide standards requirements for Mean Time Interval Error (MTIE) for a variety of clock inputs as low as eight kilohertz (kHz). If both the working and protection signals from the reference clock are lost, the chip locks to a backup reference clock. It also generates clock signals for use by integrated circuits that process data signals, based on input from the system's master clock.

Lucent is exhibiting the TSWC01622 along with its line of other ICs and optoelectronic components at NetWorld+Interop 2000 in Atlanta Sept. 26-28.

The TSWC01622 and associated components that can make up a complete timing solution require less than one square inch of board space, compared to the six-or-so square inches occupied by today's typical multichip timing solutions. The new Lucent chip is highly versatile, providing a full range of frequencies needed for plesiochronous digital hierarchy (PDH) rates at DS1/E1 and DS3/E3, and for synchronous optical network/synchronous digital hierarchy (SONET/SDH) rates from OC3/STM-1 to OC48/STM-16. These clock frequencies range from 1.544 to 622.08 megahertz (MHz).

"By providing a wide range of clock signals and a variety of timing functions on a single chip, we expect to simplify the system designer's job," said Peter Chadbourne, marketing manager with Lucent's Microelectronics Group. "Designers can now design their timing circuits once and apply them in many system applications, whereas in the past they typically had to come up with different circuit designs for each application. This can cut system development time and costs."

The new IC also delivers synchronization outputs at eight kHz that are aligned to an eight kHz input, or alternatively, at a known delay relative to the input synchronization. This can be used by SONET/SDH cross-connects or ATM switches for global alignment of cells or frames.

Sample quantities of the TSWC01622 are slated for availability in December, with volume production slated for February of 2001. Unit pricing will be US$96 in quantities of 10,000.

For more product information, customers may view documentation on the web at http://www.lucent.com/micro/netcom or send e-mail requests to [e-mail]. Customers may also call the Microelectronics Group Customer Response Center at 800-372-2447 from the USA, 800-553-2448 from Canada, or [phone] from all other countries and ask for department N61.

Lucent Technologies Microelectronics Group is the world leader in semiconductors for communications applications. Lucent has announced it will spin off the Microelectronics Group as an independent company that will include its optoelectronics and integrated circuits divisions. The spin-off, slated for completion by the summer of 2001, will create the only major stand-alone semiconductor company that can offer end-to-end networking solutions that address the convergence of photonics and electronics based on leadership in both integrated circuits and optoelectronic components. The new company will also provide wireless computer networking system solutions through its ORiNOCO(tm) product line. More information about the Microelectronics Group is available from its web site at http://www.lucent.com/micro.

Lucent Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., USA, designs and delivers the systems, software, silicon and services for next-generation communications networks for service providers and enterprises. Backed by the research and development of Bell Labs, Lucent focuses on high-growth areas such as broadband and mobile Internet infrastructure; communications software; communications semiconductors and optoelectronics; Web-based enterprise solutions that link private and public networks; and professional network design and consulting services. For more information on Lucent Technologies, visit its Web site at http://www.lucent.com.