LAS VEGAS, Jan. 9, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Westell, Inc., (Nasdaq:WSTL) and Entropic Communications, Inc., are making the digital home a reality with a new broadband router incorporating entertainment networking capabilities for easy and seamless installation in any home environment.
The Westell UltraLine(tm) Series3 supports a wide variety of LAN and WAN technologies including VDSL2 for FTTN and multi-dwelling unit (MDU) applications, as well as Ethernet for FTTP. For the LAN side, WiFi, Ethernet and MoCA digital coax are used for in-home distribution of content.
The integration of Entropic's c.LINK-270 chipset allows the UltraLine Series3 gateway to be connected directly to the consumer's existing coaxial cabling, where it delivers more than 100 Mbps net throughput of data and IP video throughout the home. This represents a 50 percent increase in digital coaxial data rate performance as compared with other currently shipping gateways, and is attributed to more efficient packet aggregation and short packet composition of multimedia traffic.
The new entertainment gateway supports the emerging parameterized-QoS protocol, a key addition to the feature set of c.LINK, enabling continuity of priority and QoS control functions across multiple, heterogeneous networks. The UltraLine Series3 is Westell's next generation gateway. It is built upon the UltraLine II, which is currently shipping and also incorporates Entropic technology.
Designed to enable multi-room video and content sharing without the need for additional cabling, truck rolls and lengthy manuals, the UltraLine Series3, with its embedded c.LINK chipset, offers quick and easy installation for operators deploying IP-based video services.
"These are benefits that appeal to service providers and end consumers equally," said Scott Voegele, Westell's Product Line Director. "c.LINK is a key enabler for our new UltraLine Series3 entertainment gateway. Our original IP video gateway, UltraLine II, uses Entropic technology and has served as a building block for the UltraLine Series3. We are delighted that our relationship with Entropic has enabled Westell to be the first to market with a product that uses their new EN2210 c.LINK chipset and offers customers the most cutting edge solution available today," said Voegele.
c.LINK can be used in a variety of consumer electronics such as DVR and client-side STBs, broadband gateways and routers, ONTs and eventually digital TVs. Because c.LINK operates in the 850-1500 Mhz frequency band -- accommodating cable and satellite -- it avoids the inevitable interference issues that plague other technologies and mediums operating at lower frequency bands. Independent field tests validated net throughput rates of more than 110 Mpbs in 97 percent of all outlets, and 100 percent with an inexpensive filter.
Coax is the ideal medium for video and entertainment networks as it is a shielded medium and is well understood by service providers and consumers. Coaxial cable is available in more than 110 million homes in the U.S. Japan, Korea and China are among the more prominent countries in Asia with significant coaxial infrastructure as well.
About Westell
Westell Technologies, Inc., (Nasdaq:WSTL) headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, is a Broadband Access Solutions company that provides leading broadband products, service solutions, and conferencing solutions for carriers, service providers and business enterprises around the world. Westell delivers innovative, open broadband solutions that meet the market's needs for fast and seamless broadband connection. Conference Plus, a Westell subsidiary, offers conferencing services including voice, video, and IP data conferencing, to carriers and multinational corporations throughout the world. For more information visit www.westell.com.
About Entropic Communications
Entropic Communications, Inc., is the leading developer of LAN and WAN coax networking for home digital entertainment. Entropic's products allow consumers to easily share digital entertainment throughout the home by leveraging the existing coax infrastructure to fundamentally change the way content such as movies, music, and images are stored and networked by the average user. For more information visit www.entropic.com.
The Entropic Communications logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2892