Westell swaps DMT chip set

Westell said last week it will use Motorola Semiconductor's discrete multitone transceivers in its digital subscriber line modems, ending its relationship with chip vendor Analog Devices.

A Westell spokesman cited unsatisfactory performance and functionality of Analog Devices' DMT chip set as the reason the company is migrating Motorola's CopperGold transceivers into its product line. Analog Devices could not be reached for comment.

After a DSL debate over carrierless amplitude/phase modulation last week (see related story on page 6), Westell made a strong statement by choosing Motorola's chips. Motorola has been working with Amati, the patent holder and inventor of DMT technology, for slightly over a year.

Analog Devices' DMT transceiver chip set is based on the American National Standards Institute DMT specification. But the manufacturer has not licensed Amati's DMT patents, which some believe could be a technical downfall, said Kieran Taylor, broadband consultant at Telechoice.

Another possible factor in Westell's decision is the Joint Procurement Consortium, the members of which include Ameritech, BellSouth, Pacific Bell and SBC Communications. The group has issued a request for proposal for $100 million worth of ADSL equipment.

Westell will continue to benchmark DMT chip sets from other vendors but believes Motorola's transceivers offer the most robust DSL support at the best price, the spokesman said.