Motorola Goes Open With VoIP Platforms

LONDON — Motorola’s Embedded Communications Group has added a SIP-based VoIP option to its range of open application enabling platforms. The company also revealed it is readying VoIP gateways that integrate SIP software with AdvancedTCA and the emerging MicroTCA standard hardware.

The company says the open platform will allow OEMs and the large telecommunications equipment makers to develop VoIP products faster and cheaper.

Motorola’s first VoIP Open Application-Enabling Platforms is based on its FACT-SIP software integrated with ComStruct CompactPCI packet voice resource boards.

“SIP is at the core of our VoIP Application-Enabling Platform strategy. This open industry standard is becoming the de-facto call control protocol for setting up and controlling voice and multimedia services across IP links,” said Nigel Forrester, media products marketing manager with Embedded Communications Computing, Motorola.

The aim, Forrester told EE Times is to integrate packet voice resource boards with SIP software, creating tested VoIP Platforms that make it easy to voice-enable SIP applications, without the need to generate low-level code or directly control hardware.“Developing SIP versions is a big step for us and the VoIP industry," said Forrester. “It should lower development costs and improve time-to-market.”

The first packet voice resource blades, including SIP runtime licenses, will cost between $11 to $30 per port, depending on volume and indemnification provided, and should be available during the first quarter of next year.

Forrester said the MicroTCA ‘hot-swappable’ small form factor module architecture should be ratified within the PCI Industrial Computing Manufacturers Group early next year. “It will be a lower entry cost option and should open the way for a whole new set of players and applications compared with the already established Advanced TCA.”

In general MicroTCA will find a home in systems closer to the edge of the public network, such as small routers and access devices, IP PBX systems and Node B basestation controllers. The full-size ATCA standard will be used in larger systems within carrier central offices, such as core routers and soft switches.