Intel targets line cards

(Telephony) Intel today announced the release of a new chip that it claims will let telecom vendor make more reliable network element line cards.

The Intel LXT3008 Production Interface Unit, which will become part of the company’s overall LIU family, allows an active connection on a line card to be switched from one port to another when a port failure occurs without losing the connection.

“The way to do that today is make electrical connections,” said Yves Collier, product manager for Intel. “The only issue is that it’s mechanical, so it’s not highly reliable. The switching time is also pretty slow.”

A single LXT3008 PIU, designed for N+1 protection, can replace as many as 32 electro-mechanical relays.

In addition to making the evolutionary move from mechanical to silicon-based protection, Intel is marketing the LXT3008 based on lower power consumption, microsecond switching speeds, minimal switching and lower printed circuit board space requirements.

“Today, people want to put more ports per blade, and this gets us there,” said Collier “The other nice thing is power savings.”

Intel anticipates targeting vendors of short-haul T1/E1/J1 equipment with the chip, including SONET/SDH add-drop multiplexers; digital access cross connect systems; digital loop carriers; M13 MUX and access concentrators.