Luminous Networks introduces voice-grade DS3 for resilient packet rings

July 19, 2001

July 19, 2001--Luminous Networks announced the first DS3 capability for Resilient Packet Ring (RPR) metropolitan area networks, enabling voice-grade time-division multiplexing (TDM) over packets.

Luminous Networks announced what they claim is the first DS3 capability for Resilient Packet Ring (RPR) metropolitan area networks, enabling voice-grade time-division multiplexing (TDM) over packets. The new DS3 User Card for the Luminous PacketWave metro optical access platform provides carriers circuit emulation over RPR at costs well below that of SONET-based approaches, with fast provisioning of new voice and data services. Luminous' DS3 solution combines, for the first time, high-speed legacy TDM interfaces with Internet Protocol (IP) interfaces on a single platform.

Luminous' PacketWave DS3 TDM User Card provides a common interface to connect TDM services between carriers over a Resilient Packet Transport ring. The new PacketWave DS3 card replaces expensive external SONET and ATM hardware needed to support applications such as interoffice voice trunks, private line data/video and international gateways. A DS3-equipped PacketWave powered by Luminous' Resilient Packet Transport (RPT) technology provides complete synchronization for toll-quality voice, video and data.

The addition of DS3 to Luminous' current T1/E1 solution allows service providers to transition the majority of their metro area interfaces among carriers and end customers to a single packet-based network. Luminous' DS3 technology replaces carriers' SONET and Digital Cross Connects (DXCs), which are expensive solutions for interconnections between large switches and private branch exchanges (PBXs) in metro area networks.

Like SONET, the PacketWave DS3 User Card is synchronized to a common stratum clock that is attached at a master node on the Resilient Packet Ring. Luminous' DS3 User Card is fully compliant with all appropriate GR-253 Telcordia standards. The Luminous PacketWave DS3 TDM User Card provides 12 DS3 ports in a single slot to alleviate space issues within carrier central office environments.

Luminous Networks' PacketWave metro optical access platform enables Metropolitan Area Network service providers to offer a rich set of IP and legacy circuit-based services, all on the same network for transport of TDM voice, video and data traffic in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Based on Luminous' Resilient Packet Transport technology, PacketWave delivers usable bandwidth at a cost that is significantly lower than legacy circuit-switched based SONET platforms.

Luminous demonstrated its new DS3 capability at the National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference (NFOEC) in Baltimore.

About Luminous Networks:

Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Luminous Networks is an optical networking company, shipping a carrier-class optical Ethernet platform for Metropolitan Area Networks. For more information, visit www.luminous.com.