The DECT Forum, the international association of the wireless home and enterprise communication industry, is pleased to announce the availability of CAT-iq White Papers. The White Papers – part 1 “voice” and part 2 “data” – outline the current status and the future profile descriptions of CAT-iq – the technology of choice for voice and data applications.

CAT-iq stands for Cordless Advanced Technology, Internet and Quality, and is the global technology initiative from the DECT Forum, designed for IP-voice services in the next generation networks. CAT-iq focuses on high quality wideband Audio VoIP as well as low bit-rate data applications. The CAT-iq profiles are split between voice and data services, with CAT-iq 1.0 and CAT-iq 2.0 providing features to support key voice enhancements, and CAT-iq 3.0 and CAT-iq 4.0 providing features to support data.

CAT-iq is firmly positioned as a key broadband access technology. CAT-iq has the unique opportunity to continue cordless telephony’s conquest of huge segments of the world’s population, and introduce data services into homes complementing those offered by WLAN and Bluetooth. When reach, standby and talk time, cost and of course voice quality are paramount, CAT-iq is the technology of choice. The Certification process for CAT-iq 2.0 will start in September 2010, enabling market deployment of a new generation of products of various manufacturers before the end of this year.

“The White Papers – part 1 “Voice” and part 2 “data” – provide a comprehensive and detailed portray of the CAT-iq technology and its profiles. With first CAT-iq 2.0 products being available still in 2010, the White Papers will feed the growing interest in CAT-iq as a leading global wireless technology”, says Daniel Hartnett, Chairman of the CAT-iq Working Group within the DECT Forum.

The White Papers are publicly available on the DECT Forum’s CAT-iq website

Sitel will share their knowledge about Ultra Low Power DECT/CAT-iq with the conference attendees during a presentation, and they will have a booth where their system-on-a-chip solutions will be displayed.

About Sitel
Make the IP switch and go cordless
SiTel offers complete system-on-a-chip solutions of the highest quality and value for cordless applications. We are continually searching for increasingly smaller, faster and more complete chips for our products. Our objective is to be the leading player in the market by implementing technical innovations cost-effectively. We do this by utilizing CMOS technology, which makes it possible to integrate baseband and RF functions, and enables us to supply our products at a very attractive price. 

Enabling our customers make the IP switch, we provide ICs that lead in performance, flexibility and cost. This new IP-based infrastructure will also drive yet more innovative services and applications. Connecting wirelessly using DECT, common household appliances could even be internet-enabled. The possibilities are tremendous.

High-performance, low-power Green DECT solution enables compact wireless microphones with crystal clear sound and long battery lifetimes
 
SiTel Semiconductor and Revolabs today announced that the new HD Wireless Microphone family from Revolabs features SiTel’s SC14480 single-chip Green DECT IC. The new Revolabs HD product line includes wearable and (omni and directional) tabletop microphones plus wireless adapters for handheld and earset microphones. It is ideal for applications where clear, natural communication is needed. SiTel’s integrated DECT solution handles the wireless link, allowing the microphones to deliver excellent sound quality and long battery lifetimes.

The new microphones are extremely compact and weigh in at just 30 grams. Yet they deliver high-definition audio with a bandwidth of 50-20,000 Hz, thanks to the SC14480’s high CAT-iq support. At the same time, the SC14480’s low power consumption means the microphones can deliver up to 8 hours of talk time from a single Li-ion battery charge.

Powered by SiTel’s single-ship DECT ICs, the Revolabs HD Wireless Microphones can be used as part of a complete audio system for video- and teleconferencing, distance learning, webcasting and other unified collaboration applications. And with 128-bit proprietary encryption on each microphone channel, all communication is secure.

Validation by market-leading VoIP server software supplier ensures systems based on SiTel’s VoIP hardware and software will work seamlessly in the field
 
SiTel Semiconductor today announced that a solution combining its SC14452 Green VoIP processor and Rhea VoIP software suite has been formally validated with BroadSoft’s latest BroadWorks release (Release 16). This validation by BroadSoft proves that systems based on the SC14452 processor and the Rhea suite work properly with the BroadWorks SIP interface. As a result, developers of such systems can be confident their products will operate seamlessly with the vast majority of VoIP servers.

Together, SiTel’s SC14452 second-generation Green VoIP processor and Rhea VoIP software platform form a complete hardware / software solution for developing robust VoIP applications. Thanks to SiTel’s proven multi-core architecture, the SC14452 delivers 240 MIPS of processing power and in-call power figures below 600 mW for a typical VoIP desktop phone application. It supports up to four concurrent wideband and narrowband IP channels, and includes a dedicated cryptography engine.

The software component of the solution, Rhea is a mature and versatile software platform based on the industry-standard µCLinux operating system. It includes a dual IPv4/v6 networking stack, plus a SIP stack and user agent. It also provides an extensive range of pre-developed applications such as automatic provisioning, a web server, user interfaces and media applications. The Rhea VoIP platform is available from SiTel on a license-free, royalty-free basis.

SiTel Semiconductor today announced how its collaboration with Target Compiler Technologies led to the creation of customized audio DSPs for its SC14452 Green VoIP processor. The DSPs combine extreme energy efficiency with high processing performance, enabling industry-leading audio quality and power consumption. Key components of the SC14452 that won a 2009 Frost and Sullivan Green Excellence Award, the DSPs were developed using Target’s IP Designer retargetable tool suite.

Target’s tools allowed SiTel to develop application-specific Gen2DSPs including a C-compiler, which means customers can program the DSPs themselves. The DSPs operate at low frequency to minimize energy consumption, yet provide high processing power. The SC14552 features two of these DSPs, which together deliver 160 MIPS. At the same time, they help minimize power consumption, enabling in-call power figures below 600 mW.

 With these powerful DSPs on-board, the SC14452 delivers outstanding sound quality for crystal clear communications. It can support four concurrent IP connections, independent of the codec chosen. Currently supported codecs include G.711, G.729, G.722, G.726, iLBC and MP3. Highly integrated, this VoIP solution reduces the overall system bill of materials (BoM) for enterprise VoIP desktop phones and IP-DECT base stations. It features integrated DECT, CAT-iq, DECT 6.0 and KDECT support and a dedicated cryptography engine for complete call confidentially.

SiTel’s drive towards more advanced and flexible System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions is the reason behind the company’s choice of Target’s tools. Target’s IP Designer is the leading retargetable tool suite for the design, programming and verification of application-specific instruction-set processors (ASIPs).

About Green VoIP
Concerns over climate change and fossil fuel supplies have put energy efficiency of all products at the forefront of both consumer and government agendas. For example, the European Commission Regulation on ecodesign (implementing Directive 2005/32/EC) proposes limiting the standby power consumption of domestic and office devices initially to 2 W if the device has a display and 1 W otherwise. A future second phase will further tighten these limits to 1 W and 0.5 W. Similar legislation is currently making its way through Congress in the US.

To help customers respond to these concerns and regulations, SiTel launched the Green VoIP range in 2008. These energy-efficient ICs allow manufacturers to create VoIP solutions that are environmentally friendly and reduce electricity bills. The first Green VoIP product, the SC14450, reduced the net system power consumption for typical applications by 50% to around 800 mW during calls and 550 mW in idle mode. The next Green VoIP processor, the SC14452, pushed down power consumption even further to 550 and 350 mW respectively – meeting the most stringent proposed limits.

SiTel Semiconductor today announced that its energy-efficient SC14452 Green VoIP processor will power D-Link's next-generation DPH150SE/C1 VoIP desktop phones. Thanks to the excellent performance of the SC14452, the DPH150SE/C1 phones offer an extensive range of features including wideband audio, Gigabit Ethernet, an IPv4/6 dual stack, multi-language support and internet radio.

D-Link’s DPH150SE/C1 are feature-rich, next-generation VoIP desktop phones for enterprise and residential use. Through the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), they offer users both ease of use and flexibility, and can be deployed in any network that supports SIP. The phones support up to 4 SIP accounts, allowing multi-user functionality. Moreover, the IPv4/6 dual stack means these attractive phones are ready for next-generation networks.

Exploiting the SC14452 extensive processing power, the phones also offer a number of consumer-friendly features. Excellent wideband audio ensures crystal clear communication, while two 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports deliver easy, high-speed networking for LANs and PCs. The phones also support multiple languages, and the optional MP3 ringer and internet radio feature make them as fun as they are functional.

Since Announcing the DECT Ultra Low Power (ULP) Technology in June 2009, RTX and SiTel Have Been Working on the Specification and Addition of Extra Features. Today RTX and SiTel Launch DECT ULP Technology at the DECT 2010 Conference in Amsterdam and Conduct a Demo in the Exhibition Area

The interest in DECT ULP has been overwhelming since RTX and SiTel announced it.
   
With the advent of DECT ULP, new application areas can be addressed. A very central feature in ULP is interoperability with an existing DECT/CAT-iq infrastructure, since this will open up a completely new world of opportunities in which DECT ULP devices can be connected to the Internet or LAN through, for example, a CAT-iq enabled Gateway or IAD.

Other key features of DECT ULP are:  
- Native Internet connectivity
- Native audio support through CAT-iq
- Operation in a reserved frequency band - reducing interference issues
- Full compatibility with previous DECT / CAT-iq generations
- Low power consumption when compared to other low power technologies
- Low cost - it builds on mature and proven technology
- Leveraging installed base and IAD/Gateway Connection
 
Availability and solutions
The target for the DECT ULP technology is primarily Automation & Control applications, but it in general it is feasible in a wide number of other application areas. To facilitate easy and fast DECT ULP integration and product development, we provide a flexible Software Development Kit (SDK), which is offered in three different configurations - Basic, Value, and Premium. RTX also offers system design services to product developers who want to integrate the DECT ULP technology into their products or product platforms. Get a head start and benefit from the opportunities in DECT ULP with RTX.

SiTel Semiconductor announced that its DECT / CAT-iq technology has been integrated into Broadcom's single-chip Integrated Access Device (IAD). The device is the first of its kind to offer ADSL2+ broadband internet, 802.11n wireless connectivity Gigabit Ethernet switching, Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) and Voice over IP (VoIP). It features a DECT CAT-iq core from SiTel that supports DECT, DECT6.0 and CAT-iq for excellent voice quality and multi-line cordless VoIP.

The single-chip IAD solution is the second development from SiTel and Broadcom's ongoing cooperation. It follows the announcement in March 2009 that the two companies are jointly developing IAD reference designs based on Broadcom's Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL) gateway chipsets and SiTel's DECT / CAT-iq solutions. These reference designs cut the development time and effort for fully-featured IADs. The new single-chip device goes even further, allowing OEMs to greatly reduce component count, size, power and cost.

Electronics industry analyst IMS Research predicts that the number of DSL broadband internet users in the world will rise from 234 million in 2007 to 407 million by 2013. During the same period, the proportion of IADs shipped that include DECT or CAT-iq functionality is projected to grow from 4% to 31% with the advanced features and better sound quality of CAT-iq replacing the elder technology entirely by around 2012. For every ten gateways shipped, between five and seven additional handsets are expected to be bought.

SiTel Semiconductor today announced that three of its advanced DECT ICs feature in the new Jabra PRO™ 9400 Series headsets from GN Netcom, the world leader in innovative headset solutions. The new headsets feature SiTel’s SC14450 high-end baseband processor, LMX4180 DECT transceiver and SC14480 single-chip CAT-iq IC. These chips deliver high performance and low power consumption. As a result, the headsets boast a host of new features, excellent energy efficiency and outstanding voice quality including support for wideband audio.

The Jabra PRO™ 9400 Series combine unprecedented sound quality, range and performance with triple connectivity.  And as the first family of DECT headset solutions to feature a touch screen base handling calls from your desk phone, soft phone and mobile phone has never been more intuitive.

Jabra PROTM 470
The headsets deliver optimal audio performance thanks to SiTel’s Perfect Acoustic Echo Canceller (PAEC) and high-quality analog codec for wideband audio. In addition, they feature background noise cancellation for crystal-clear conversations and a volume limiter to protect users’ hearing.
To help businesses reduce energy bills and carbon footprints, the new headsets makes full use of the SiTel solutions’ extensive power management features. While encrypted communication between the headset and the base ensure all conversations remain confidential.

 
About the SC14480
The world’s first monolithic integrated DECT/DCT solution in standard CMOS, the SC14480 is the first device in SiTel’s single-chip product family. As the most flexible member it comes with Flash memory, making it ideal for product development, production ramp-up or in applications requiring regular software upgrades.
The high-performance Gen2DSP core provides enough processing power to support the superior voice quality of the CAT-iq standard and other features. The SC14480 can operate directly from Li-Ion cells, reducing external component costs and making the chip ideal for headset applications.

About the SC14450
The SC14450 processor uses SiTel’s proven multi-core architecture to deliver 240 MIPS of processing power. It features a 16-bit CompactRISC™ processor, plus two user-programmable Gen2DSPs. It can run the various audio codecs and best-in-class acoustic echo cancellation and other embedded applications.
In addition, the SC14450 supports a variety of external memories, and features an integrated class D amplifier, power and battery management options, a white LED driver and a wide variety of peripheral interfaces including master / slave PCM, UART, SPI, dual-access bus and USB client.

About the LMX4180
The LMX4180 CMOS RF transceiver comes in a small VQFN32 package. It supports both standard DECT (1880-1900 MHz) and DECT 6.0 (1920-1930 MHz) frequencies, and is fully compatible with SiTel’s advanced basebands providing customers with a complete solution for DECT and DECT 6.0. The LMX4180 is available in mass production quantities, and engineering samples can be delivered from stock.

Energy-efficient Green VoIP processors recognized for their low power consumption that helps reduce energy bills and carbon footprints
 
SiTel Semiconductor yesterday received the Frost and Sullivan 2009 Global Enterprise VoIP Semiconductors Green Excellence Award in Product Innovation, for its energy-efficient Green VoIP processor range. The award is clear recognition of SiTel’s commitment to delivering low-power, environmentally friendly VoIP and DECT / CAT-iq IC solutions, which enable enterprise manufacturers to reduce power consumption by up to 2 Watts per desktop phone.

SiTel’s Green VoIP ICs are based on a unique multi-processor architecture. This allows the chips to deliver excellent performance at lower clock frequencies, and enables individual functional blocks to be turned on and off as needed. These features markedly reduce power consumption for the processors themselves. Additional efficiency gains are made on the system level through smart software that controls off-chip functionality such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs).

SiTel’s Green VoIP range combines excellent energy efficiency and impressive performance. With a 16-bit CompactRISC™ processor plus two user-programmable Gen2DSPs, they deliver 240 MIPS of processing power. SiTel’s Perfect Acoustic Echo Canceller (PAEC), a 32-kHz codec for wideband audio and an integrated class D amplifier ensure excellent sound quality. In addition, the latest member of the family, the SC14452, includes an integrated Ethernet MAC and a hardware cryptographic engine to accelerate DES, 3DES and AES computations, allowing four secured IP calls to be handled simultaneously.