dataMate, a business unit of Methode Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: MEI), MaxLinear Inc. (NYSE: MXL), and LEA Networks have introduced the Methode micro-distribution point unit (DPU), a G.hn-based fiber-to-the-distribution-point (FTTdp) platform designed to make delivery of gigabit broadband services more affordable for service providers.
Operating over a variety of copper media, G.hn is an ITU networking standard that delivers data rates up to 2 Gbps, using the most recent 200 MHz G.hn band-plans standardized in ITU-T G.9960 Amendments 1 and 2. According to Methode, numerous service providers use G.hn technology to bring broadband services to millions of users in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Methode says the micro-DPU is the market's first single-port DPU to enable service providers to natively use current twisted pair or coaxial cable infrastructure via G.hn in their fiber deployments. The result is minimized installation costs and gigabit broadband experience assurance in both upstream and downstream directions, says the company.
An engineering team from TELUS (TSX:T)(NYSE:TU) collaborated on the design of the Methode micro-DPU to address the competitive, technical, and operational business issuesthat gigabit broadband service providers like the Canadian service provider face. Features of the FTTdp micro-DPU include:
· Automatic neighboring DPU detection, with automatic synchronization ofTDD time slots removing near-end cross-talk (NEXT).
· Complete modularity, with replaceable SFP modules for uplink (PONONT) and downlink (G.hn over twisted-pair, G.hn over coax, and 1G and 2.5G Ethernet over Cat-5e cable).
· Directly supported in mainline OpenWRT, with the most recent Linux 4.14 LTS kernel and Open vSwitch 2.92. The micro-DPU will be an SDN-ready software platform independent from proprietary vendor SDKs.
· ITU-T K.21 over-voltage protection.
· Maximum power usage of 10 W, with flexible powering options such as local 12-V DC power and reverse power feeding (RPF ETSI TS 101 548) over twisted pair or coax.
· Flexible bandwidth provisioning to support fixed TDD ratios or dynamic time allocation (DTA) on both coax and twisted-pair.
Available in both indoor and outdoor configurations, the Methode micro-DPU is MaxLinear cloud-based VectorBoost platform compatible, eliminating far-end cross-talk (FEXT). Service providers that plan to deploy the Methode micro-DPU have various G.hn connectivity options in a pluggable SFP form factor, from an F-type connector for coax and RJ11 for phone line, to RJ45 for Cat-5e cable.
Methode says the G.hn SFP modules are entirely interoperable with other vendor's G.hn products, and integrate MaxLinear's G.hn Wave-2 chipset. The SFP modules are designed for use on the micro-DPU side or in third-party residential gateways to streamline inventory management by service providers.
"Most existing FTTdp solutions in the market require service providers to make large upfront investments before a single customer signs up for service. Installing a 16-port DPU when only one subscriber has signed for service does not make much financial sense," said Chano Gómez, MaxLinear's senior director, G.hn marketing. "The single-port micro-DPU solves this problem by enabling pioneering carriers such as TELUS to adopt an innovative pay-as-you-grow model, adding new G.hn ports gradually as new customers sign up for service in an MDU or condominium. The unique auto-sync and cross-talk management provided by our VectorBoost. technology enables multiple independent DPUs to be installed near each other, with a deployment model that was not possible before."
The Methode micro-DPU and G.hn SFP modules are now available from Methode. Additionally, the PSETT02US power injector is now available from LEA Networks in power class SR2 (15 W) and SR3 (21 W). The LEA Networks' PSETT02US is a reverse power injector based on the ETSI TS 101 548 standard that includes the following features:
· Compliant with metallic detection-based start-up (MDSU) protocol.
· Integrates modem data with power to reverse power DPU.
· Native support for twisted-pair interface, with plug-in option for coax cable support and Gigabit Ethernet.
· Support for SISO and MIMO over twisted-pair.
· Straightforward reverse power feed (RPF) self-installation power supply equipment (PSE).
· Wall mount and desk mount option for C-5 universal AC cord adapts to any international plug type.
Headquartered in Paris, LEA Networks is a worldwide provider of xDSL/G.fast splitters and filters, Power Line Communication (PLC), Power over Ethernet (PoE), Reverse Power Systems, and lightning protection and connectivity services for the telecommunication industry.
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