Pulse Introduces SmartER Series of xDSL Low-Pass, High-Density Splitter/Filter Modules

Pulse has introduced the first in a series of SmartER™ xDSL high-density, low-pass splitter/filter modules suitable for very-high-bit-rate digital subscriber line (VDSL2) applications. The B8849NL is designed for European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) option A complex impedance applications. At 17x13mm, the B8849NL is one-third the size of standard B8049 SMART modules and handles frequencies of 30MHz, compared with 2.2MHz for the SMART modules.

The SmartER modules are made with passive discrete components and a patented core material. They are used in telco central offices (CO) to achieve excellent voice quality by separating voice and data signals and filtering interference out of the data signals in xDSL applications, including VDSL2, which is designed to support the wide deployment of triple play (voice, video, data) services such as high-definition television (HDTV), and interactive gaming.

SmartER modules can be used in two network architectures. One delivers signals to the home in the traditional manner, from CO splitter boards via copper wire. The second delivers the signals from splitter boards in nearby street cabinets, such as those used in fiber to the cabinet (FTTC) applications, in which the last mile of the signal travels over copper using VDSL2 technology. SmartER modules address the challenge of carrying more channels and handling higher frequencies, while fitting into street cabinets with limited space.

SmartER modules are case-less through-hole designs with four pins in a very compact 12x11mm footprint. This small footprint enables more components, and therefore more lines, to fit on a splitter board at the CO, thus reducing the cost of the overall splitter solution. Pulse's new series of filters can also be used on a customer premises equipment (CPE) modem board for single-line low-pass filter solutions. With the development of triple play services, the trend is to move from simple modem to multi-function integrated gateways with on-board filtering rather than an external filter solution. The compact design of the SmartER series addresses the space issue on these gateways.

The SmartER B8849NL design is dedicated to the ETSI complex impedance option A standard. The series will expand rapidly to cover all ANSI, ETSI, and ITU standards for ADSL, ADSL2+, and VDSL2 applications. Modules in the SmartER series are RoHS-6 compliant. The splitter/filter modules are pin-to-pin compatible so the same board layout can accommodate different standards for different countries just by changing the component model.

The B8849NL is a fully tested filter and a ready-to-use electrical module. System integrators need only supply the mechanical functions to the splitter board. Pulse's B8849NL filter modules are available in trays. Pricing begins at $2.95 per module and varies depending on order configuration and destination.