Silicon Labs - Single Channel Telephony IC

It is the only single-package FXS solution to address all of the requirements for VoIP customer premise equipment (CPE) including density, power, global programmability, comprehensive testability, idle channel noise (ICN) and low cost per channel.

The Si3217x family raises the level of performance expected from traditional VoIP telephony ICs and eases system design by significantly reducing board area. These tiny 5 x 7 mm devices are the only solutions to integrate the SLIC and high-voltage line-feed together with a DSP, dc-dc controller and test load in a single package. Competing chipsets increase the bill of materials and power budget for VoIP systems. In addition, select Si3217x devices integrate the system-side portion of the world’s most proven global DAA for the foreign exchange office (FXO) interface, resulting in the industry’s first two-package FXS + FXO solution when used with the new Si3291x line-side DAA devices.

The tiny Si3217x devices do not compromise performance. With ICN as low as 7 dBrnC, the Si3217x virtually eliminates audible noise on the line, and wideband audio capability provides high-definition sound quality surpassing traditional phone network performance, giving end users a clearer connection and a better experience.

The devices provide extensive support for remote system diagnostics: power alarms to warn of critical faults, a built-in test load for production testing or self test and comprehensive line diagnostic (MLT) capabilities. Unlike competing devices, the Si3217x has sense points inside and outside the protection circuit to ensure that diagnostic capability is not lost following a power cross or surge event. This unique combination of features further raises performance and cuts costs for carriers.

This best-in-class integration and performance is offered with the industry’s lowest power consumption to reduce heat and lower power supply cost. The Si3217x prolongs backup battery life and enables “green” products with its ultra-low-power on-hook mode which consumes less than 70 mW when the telephone is not in use, even if the ProSLIC is connected to a relatively long loop. An integrated, intelligent tracking dc-dc converter optimizes efficiency in all modes by generating only the voltage needed in each of the on-hook, off-hook and ringing states. Patented low-power ringing permits this tiny Si3217x device to generate high-power ring signals on long lines with large ring loads.

“Silicon Labs continues to lead the mixed-signal telephony IC market, offering the industry’s best combination of high performance, high integration and low power,” said Carlos Garcia, general manager of access products for Silicon Laboratories. “This unique new family of ProSLIC devices enables the next generation of VoIP equipment to meet the ever-growing demands for high quality audio, low power, small size, and low total cost of ownership.”

Superior software and reference design support accelerates customers’ time to market and simplifies design. Silicon Labs’ ProSLIC API, a common software library for the entire ProSLIC portfolio, eliminates the need to develop system-specific software drivers for ProSLIC devices. To optimize cost versus efficiency, Si3217x evaluation boards (EVBs) support multiple dc-dc converter options. Additional EVBs and reference designs are available to demonstrate solutions for “re-injection” deployments of DSL using Silicon Labs’ Si84xx ISOpro digital isolators. To further alleviate design challenges, reference design hardware and software support is available from leading vendors of SoCs for VoIP CPE.