Telebit Corp, Chelmsford, Massachusetts has formally introduced its next-generation system designed to enable central locations to consolidate their Basic Rate Interface ISDN and analogue connections to remote users across a single ISDN Primary Rate Interface link. Called MICA, for Modem ISDN Channel Aggregation, the technology was first hinted at around the end of last year when Telebit said that it had been in talks about being acquired by an unnamed company, but that these had evolved into a possible licensing deal for the Modem ISDN Channel Aggregation Telebit was developing (CI No 2,831). While the concept of aggregating and converting analogue signals to digital for transmission via ISDN is not new, Telebit says that its system is differentiated by the high modem density it can achieve through the use of its signal processing modem software: while competing offerings rely on silicon modem implementations – which mean that the original analogue signal is converted to digital for ISDN transmission and then back to analogue by the receiving modem – Telebit says that its signal processing software strips off the analogue portion of the receiving modem, so that the digital signal coming through the ISDN line stays digital. Through this and other signal processing-based enhancements – for example, Telebit has implemented its compression and error-detection code in a single RISC processor with dual-signal processing on each of three signal processors that can accommodate six modems – Telebit claims a 400% increase in density over first-generation systems. In terms of products, the company is launching the MICAblazer as part of its NetBlazer family. The MICAblazer comes in T1 and E1 versions: the T1 model incorporates a T1 port, 24 internal digital modems, a hardware-based STAC compression board, a single tri-media Ethernet port and 8Mb of system memory. The E1 model is the same but with an E1 port and 30 internal modems, and both incorporate a PRI-ready port for those needing to upgrade at a later date. Two more Ethernet ports and an additional 24/30 modem ports can also be added. The T1 model is priced at $18,000, and the E1 at $19,800 with both shipping in July. It is targeted at the personal computer local network server market, and Telebit will also launch MICA for NetWare in July. It is said to integrate seamlessly with NetWare Connect 2 and the NetWare MultiProtocol Router and can support up to 60 ISDN B Channels and 60 V.34bis digital modems. Pricing will go from $8,500 to $16,500. As part of the licensing strategy that gave the first hint of Modem ISDN Channel Aggregation, the firm is also launching the Hex Module, described as a base building block for OEM customers. Each Hex incorporates six V.34bis modems, a RISC processor and three signal processors. It will ship in a standard SIMM form factor dual connector flat-mount configuration, or custom configurations. Finally, the MICA Granite Card, aimed at systems integrators and the OEM market, is an AT-based PC Card incorporating from one to five Hex modules. There is no word on prices.
