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VoIP PCI/PCIe Card for Voice Codec, Transcoding, Echo Cancellation, and VQE for Open Source VoIP Systems

SigC5561 VoIP PCI card for Asterisk IP PBX server

SigC5561 card without PCI adapter, view of front bezel and bottom side. Configurable from 1 to 12 high-density Texas Inst TNETV3010 VoIP chips. Each chip has six (6) cores capable of 32 channels each of carrier grade VoIP, including echo can and voice codec

Asterisk DSP Card--Overview
VoIP Overview
VoIP Feature Summary
PSTN Interface Options
Software Support
Channel Capacity Table
Simultaneous Capacity Table
Specifications
Per Channel Pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
Host Media Processing
NetWork Configuration Examples
Server Configuration Examples

Asterisk DSP Card--Overview

In Asterisk TDM-to-IP and IP-to-IP applications, the SigC5561 card acts as an Asterisk-controlled DSP card.

In a typical Asterisk TDM-to-IP VoIP application, the SigC5561 card processes TDM channels of 64 kbps PCM (G711) voice, fax or data traffic. Voice data is optionally compressed via G729AB, G723, GSM-AMR, EVRC, iLBC, or other LBR codec. In addition, the SigC5561 card provides RTP, RTCP, or T.38 packetization of voice and fax data, and a comprehensive range of voice and data telephony functions.

In a typical Asterisk IP-to-IP transcoding application, the SigC5561 card transcodes between one type of LBR codec and another, for example between G729AB and G723, or G729AB and GSM-AMR, using embedded logic on the board to allow internal PCM loopback and framesize adjustment.

Mixed VoIP and transcoding applications are supported.

For advanced applications, an optional WinPath network processor provides packet formatting, segmentation, reassembly, and routing functions directly on the SigC5561 card, without host intervention, including direct GbE or 10/100 interfaces to RJ-45 connectors.

SigC5561 card highlights include:

up to 2304 G.711 channels, 1152 G.729AB or iLBC channels, and/or 864 G.723 or GSM-AMR channels

configurable echo can, VoIP and transcoding operation

each VoIP channel independently configurable for echo can, voice codec, and other parameters

WinPath 7x7 network processor and direct GbE and 10/100 network RJ-45 connections

Voice codecs, echo cancellation, and voice quality monitoring are good examples of "DSP real-time processing" performed far more efficiently and at far lower cost using the SigC5561 card than using server arrays based on multi-core x86 processors. At higher channel capacities, for example 120 or more, adding one or more SigC5561 cards triggers a cascade of cost savings, eliminating LBR codec IP/royalty fees, reducing electric and cooling costs, and reducing required physical space. In effect, each server is maximized for efficiency and the waste and high cost caused by "motherboard farming" is eliminated.

VoIP Overview

In a typical VoIP application, the SigC5561 card processes TDM channels of 64 kbps PCM (G711) voice, fax or data traffic. Voice data is optionally compressed via G729AB, G723, GSM-AMR, EVRC, iLBC, or other LBR codec. In addition, the SigC5561 card provides RTP, RTCP, or T.38 packetization of voice and fax data, and a comprehensive range of voice and data telephony functions.

In a typical transcoding application, the SigC5561 card transcodes between one type of LBR codec and another, for example between G729AB and G723, or G729AB and GSM-AMR, using embedded logic on the board to allow internal PCM loopback and framesize adjustment.

Mixed VoIP and transcoding applications are supported.

PSTN Interface Options

There are three (3) ways to interface PSTN lines, also known as TDM or PCM data, to the SigC5561 card:

Separate multi-FSX/FXO, multi-T1/E1 or T3 PCI card(s). In this case, TDM data is transported on the PCI bus, between cards. Providers of T1/E1 and T3 cards include Digium, Sangoma, SBE, and more. This method is the least expensive and most flexible, but experiments show that reliable operation is limited to about 500 or so TDM channels over the PCI bus on 32-bit PCI motherboards.

Unified multi-T1/E1 or T3 card. In this case, the SigC5561 and another PMC form-factor card are combined on a dual site PCI carrier card, which allows TDM data to move between the two cards without PCI bus interaction. A typical dual carrier card configuration would combine a SigC5561 card and a wanT3 channelized DS3 card. The dual carrier method allows higher channel capacities due to direct inter-card TDM communication, free from impact of system activities involving the PCI bus. TDM channel capacities up to 2048 full-duplex channels are possible per SigC5561 card.

TDMoIP protocol. TDM-over-IP protocol, also referred to as CESoPSN, may be used. In this case, TDM data is transported on the GbE interface to the SigC5561 card, where it is "interworked" by the WinPath network processor into TDM format data and routed to the TDM side of the DSP farm. TDM channel capacities up to 2304 full-duplex channels are possible per SigC5561 card.

VoIP Feature Summary

Below are VoIP features included with all configurations of the SigC5561 Card.

Voice Compression (CODEC)	G.711 (64 kbps m-law or A-law) G.711.1 (Appendix A) Packet Loss Concealment G.722 wideband (48, 56, 64 kbps) G.723.1 (24, 40 kbps) G.723.1A G.726 ADPCM (16, 24, 32, 40 kbps) G.727 ADPCM G.728 (16 kbps) G.729 (8 kbps) G.729AB (8 kbps) G.729D (6.4 kbps) G.729E (11.8 kbps) GSM FR, GSM EFR, GSM AMR EVRC SMV iLBC QCELP13 FAX T38U CID CONF
Echo Cancellation	G.165 and G.168 64 msec nominal. Up to 128 msec with multiple reflection cancellations; includes Telogy proprietary enhancements
Jitter Buffer	Packet playout unit; Telogy packet-loss mitigation options
Silence Suppression	VAD, CNG, Telogy proprietary G.723.1A G.729AB GSM FR GSM EFR
Fax Relay / Pass-Thru:	T.38 TCP/IP FRF.11 AAL2 I.366.2 V.17 @ 7.2, 9.6, 12, 14.4 kbps V.27ter @ 2.4, 4.8 kbps V.29 @ 7.2, 9.6 kbps T.30
Modem Relay / Pass-Thru:	V.92 V.90 V.34 V.32bis V.22bis V.21 V.23 Bell 212, 103 V.42 MNP 2-4, V.44 MNP 5 Modem Transparency: auto-switch from G.7xx to G.711 on fax or modem detection
ISDN	Sync-mode PPP, HDLC framed PPP V.110 56k rate adaptation
VoIP Standards Compliance	RTP RTCP per RFC 1889/1890/2508 UDP/IP header
Security	SRTP (RFC 3711)
In-Band Signaling / Call Processing	DTMF, MF R1, MF R2, MFC, SS7 COT, SF, Call Progress for T1 CAS
Out-of-Band Signaling / Call Processing	DTMF Relay (RFC 2833)
Rx, Tx Gain Control	Programmable ±31 dB

Following Features Require Optional Network Processor

TDM Protocols	CESoPSN (TDMoIP) H.110 subset (also known as CTbus)
VoATM Standards Compliance	AAL0 (raw cell) AAL1 AAL2 I.366.2
Network Packet Switching	Example: G.729AB / RTP G.726 / AAL2
Packet Aggregation and Processing	Running default Control Path Software (CPS) and Data Path Software (DPS) builds, the WinPath 747 or 787 Communications and Network Processor provides: ATM Adaptation layers AAL0, AAL1, AAL2 and AAL5 ATM traffic shaping M traffic shaping M traffic shaping M traffic shaping for CBR, VBR, GFR and UBR, compatible with ATM Forum TM-4.1 Up to 64k simultaneous channels (VC or VP) with per-VC queuing ATM cell and CPS switching up to 622 Mbps full duplex AAL1 -- supports structured and unstructured Circuit Emulation Services (CES 2.0) ATMF-0078 IMA -- Inverse Multiplexing over ATM in one or more IMA groups according to ATMF 0086.001 IP Termination -- support for IPv4 (including TOS, TTL, Header processing). IP Routing -- support for IPv4, RFC 1812 (including TOS, TTL, Header processing) IP Interworking Per flow WFQ and shaping Routing and forwarding over ATM (RFC 1483/2684) IP routing and forwarding over PPP (RFC 2364/2472) and PPP-Mux (RFC 1661) Supports IPv4 IP routing and forwarding over Ethernet (RFC1042) IP Classification -- supports Multi-field Classification and Differentiated Services according to RFC 2474 and 2475. Algorithmic with single or multiple passes (without external CAM)

Software Support

Asterisk software support includes Linux drivers and install scripts. For open source VoIP and application-specific programming, DirectDSP software is available that allows host C/C++ programming interface to the card. WinXP and Win9x drivers and Win version of DirectDSP software are also available.

The SigC5561 card may also be used with applications other than Asterisk; the C5561 card driver and API fully support user-defined application software.

Channel Capacity Table

The table below gives channel capacities for available configurations of the SigC5561 card, including 2 DSPs, 7 DSPs, and 12 DSPs. Note that all channels include 64 msec echo cancellation.

Description	Codec	2 DSPs	7 DSPs	12 DSPs
ITU Codecs	G.729 G.723 G.726 G.711 G.711 App 1 Fax, T38	192 144 192 384 336 384	672 504 672 1344 1176 1176	1152 864 1152 2304 2016 2016
GSM Codecs	GSM FR GSM EFR GSM AMR	144 144 144	504 504 504	864 864 864
CDMA Codecs	EVRC SMV QCELP13	96 96 96	336 336 336	576 576 576
Cable Codecs	iLBC G728 G729E Fax, T38	96 96 96 192	336 336 336 672	576 576 576 1152

Simultaneous Call Capacity Table

The table below gives IP-to-IP simultaneous call figures assuming one call leg is G.711. "IP-to-IP" is typically referred to as transcoding.

Note that G711 leg includes 64 msec echo cancellation, if required by the application.

Description	Codec	2 DSPs	7 DSPs	12 DSPs
ITU Codecs	G.729 G.723 G.726 G.711 App 1 Fax, T38	192 144 192 336 384	672 504 672 1176 1176	1152 864 1152 2016 2016
GSM Codecs	GSM FR GSM EFR GSM AMR	144 144 144	504 504 504	864 864 864
CDMA Codecs	EVRC SMV QCELP13	96 96 96	336 336 336	576 576 576
Cable Codecs	iLBC G728 G729E Fax, T38	96 96 96 192	336 336 336 672	576 576 576 2016

For transcoding between "asymmetric" LBR codecs, where both call legs are not G711, channel capacity is typically reduced by half. This situation is sensitive to various application-specific factors; for more information, please call or email to discuss with Signalogic engineers.

Download Reference Guide

Specifications

Below are specifications for the SigC5561 card. All specifications are subject to change.

Dimensions	4.3 x 7.44 x 0.5" (109 x 189 x 12.7 mm) Length measured from surface of back-plate, height measured from surface of motherboard, width less than single slot
DSP Farm	Up to 12 Texas Instruments TNETV3010 devices with Premium Carrier Grade Telogy Software; includes indemnification of essential patents for conformance & interoperability
Optional Network Processor	Wintegra WinPath 747 or 787 Access Packet Processor
PCI Bus Interface	32-bit, 33 MHz PCI; 3.3V signaling with passive adapter, 5V signaling with active adapter
PCIe Bus Interface	4x or higher, up to 133 MHz clock rate, differential signaling per PICMG v1.3, active adapter including PCIe-to-PCI bridge
Power Consumption	10W in 2 DSP configuration 16W in 7-DSP configuration 23W in 12 DSP configuration**
Temperature	Operating:	0ºC to 55ºC (airflow >200 LFM)
	Storage:	-40ºC to 85ºC
Humidity	Operating:	10 to 90% non-condensing
	Storage:	5 to 95% non-condensing
Designed to Meet	FCC Part 15 Subpart B EN55022 EN55024 UL60950 3rd edition UL60950 3rd edition

Per Channel Pricing

Pricing for the SigC5561 card starts at about $15.60 per channel (for example, 192 G.729 + echo channels), scales to about $9.5 per channel (672 G.729 + echo channels), and then scales to about $7.54 per channel (1152 G.729 + echo). These figures are for small quantity (5 or less); additional price reductions are possible with higher quantity.

Using TDM-to-IP G.711 + 64 msec echo as an example, pricing starts at about $7.80 per channel for 384 channels, and drops to about $3.77 at 2304 channels.

Unlike a PC software situation, no per-channel royalty cost is required; all IP fees are embedded within the hardware cost, and in turn within the Texas Instruments voice chip cost.

** Worst-case figures, measured under full load "stress conditions" with voice software running LBR codec and 64 msec on all channels

Asterisk is a trademark of Digium, Inc.