Galazar Networks launches Multi Service Framer (MSF250) for telecom and datacom access applications

Most advanced Ethernet and telecom services integrated and transported over existing network infrastructure


OTTAWA, Canada – September 9, 2002 – Galazar Networks™ Inc., a fabless semiconductor company committed to driving down the cost of deploying Ethernet and legacy access services over the existing carrier infrastructure, announces the development of the MSF250™ Multi Service Framer, the first complete system-on-a-chip (SoC) framer to offer the comprehensive SONET device integration of legacy telecom DS-1 and Ethernet data services. Intel’s Microelectronics Services division will provide backend design, manufacturing and operations services for Galazar’s MSF250.

A single MSF250 framer offers multiple voice, leased line and data service interfaces such as 10/100 Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, T1/E1, and DS3/E3, mapping into protected SONET/SDH lines from OC-3 to OC-48. The MSF250 is the world’s first device to simultaneously support mixed High-Order (STS) and Low-Order (VT) Virtual Concatenation (VC) with Link Capacity-Adjustment Scheme (LCAS). This maximizes carriers’ service offerings and therefore increases their revenues from the existing access infrastructure. Galazar designed the MSF250, which is targeted at access equipment OEMs, in collaboration with multiple carriers and tier one customers.

“Galazar’s MSF250 is the most comprehensive integration of advanced legacy and Ethernet services in a single system-on-a-chip device. Our customers will be able to drive down the cost of offering traditional access services while enabling new Ethernet services, all without changes to the existing network infrastructure,” said Richard Deboer, CEO, Galazar Networks.

The Galazar engineering team has extensive system-level experience across the diverse functional areas of PDH framers, Ethernet mappers and SONET framers. For each discipline, Galazar has the industry experts with several generations of product development experience that a product like the MSF250 requires.

“A market is quickly emerging for carrier equipment that delivers existing and next-generation services to enterprises, without the need for central office investments or upgrades,” said Scott Clavenna, president, PointEast Research. “This new class of multi-service access devices will rely on innovative system-on-a-chip solutions that support the broadest mix of services over a single SONET/SDH connection to the carrier network.”

Intel’s Microelectronics Services Division to provide backend support for MSF250

Galazar Networks also announced it has entered into a relationship with Intel’s Microelectronics Services division whereby Intel will provide backend design, manufacturing and operations services for Galazar’s MSF250. The relationship will improve operations as the product goes to volume deployment.

“We are pleased to be providing Galazar Networks with backend design, manufacturing and operations services for the MSF250,” said Naveed Sherwani, general manager, Intel Microelectronics Services. “Galazar’s system-on-a-chip framer and equipment design experience, teamed with Intel’s world class manufacturing and operations infrastructure, will allow equipment vendors to deliver next-generation Ethernet and telecom services in a single high-performance device.”

Galazar Networks CEO Richard Deboer called the relationship “a very important pillar of the MSF250 offering. Intel Microelectronics Services’ expertise in design, manufacturing and operations services brings to Galazar a deep understanding of advanced semiconductor technology for high quality, robust designs. These are critical issues to our lead customers.”

About Galazar Networks
Galazar Networks Inc. is a leading fabless semiconductor company that is delivering carrier grade framers and mappers to communications equipment vendors. Galazar’s product suite includes highly integrated, low power framers and bandwidth management fabric subsystems. These modular hardware and software building blocks enable network equipment vendors to deliver market-differentiating products in shortened timeframes, and with lower development cost.

Based in Ottawa, Canada, Galazar Networks was formed by an experienced team of communications equipment and solutions engineers and executives. Galazar’s team members were instrumental in developing the equipment and semiconductors that now transport as much as 85 percent of today’s optical Internet traffic. Galazar Networks is backed by proven venture financing partners including Skypoint Capital Corporation, VenGrowth Capital Partners, and Katsura Investments. For more information, visit www.galazar.com.

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