Integrated Device Technology (IDT) (NASDAQ: IDTI) has unveiled data compression intellectual property (IP), which the company says offers revolutionary performance in 3G and 4G applications for wireless infrastructure. The company says its patent-protected baseband data compression IP reduces system cost by enabling the use of low cost fiber-optic cabling to connect the remote radio unit (RRU) to the baseband unit (BBU) in wireless infrastructure.
IDT contends that, in an industry where performance and cost demands pull strongly in opposite directions, wireless communication equipment manufacturers are looking for solutions to pass increasing amounts of data over inexpensive, low-speed fiber-optic cable links (up to 2.5 Gbps) [emphasis added] IDT says its data compression IP solves this dilemma by offering compression ratios from 2:1 to 4:1, enabling customers to utilize low-cost cabling by reliably compressing data while keeping overall signal quality within required wireless parameters.
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According to IDT, the compression IP operates with sub-microsecond latency for the entire compression and decompression chain, having negligible impact on overall system performance. Further, while the compression IP is typically used to compress data on the link between the RRU and BBU in radio access networks, it can also be used to compress data in repeater systems on the link between master and slave units. This provides customers the opportunity to use fewer fiber links and optical connectors to save considerable cost and power.
IDT claims that its compression IP is the only solution in the industry achieving 3:1 compression at the error vector magnitude (EVM) percentage required in 4G systems at full Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) line rates. The data compression IP is available as an FPGA or ASIC instantiation suitable to support GSM, WCDMA, and LTE systems.
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“Our compression IP offers our customers the tools and support they need to develop high-performance and cost-effective wireless communication solutions,” comments Tom Sparkman, vice president and general manager of the Communications Division at IDT. Sparkman adds, “With 4G-compliant EVM rates at a 3:1 compression ratio, the value proposition of IDT’s compression IP is highly attractive to all BBU manufacturers looking for a competitive advantage. Coupled with our Serial RapidIO interconnect, RF signal path, timing, and high speed data converter products, IDT offers the industry’s most complete and compelling wireless signal chain solutions.”
The IDT’s data compression IP is currently sampling to qualified engineering customers as an FPGA demonstration kit. For more information, visit www.idt.com/go/CompressionIP.
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