Pseudowire emulation edge to edge (PWE3) is a mechanism that emulates the essential attributes of a network service such as Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), frame relay, or Ethernet over a packet-switched network (PSN). PWE3 provides a powerful tool for convergence by extending the use of intellectual property (IP) and multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) towards the edge. Service providers can transport traditional revenue bearing services that have been agreed through service-level agreements by using cost-effective and scalable IP/MPLS or Ethernet networks. It also allows service providers to roll out new innovative services such as video and fixed mobile convergence (FMC).
Altera Solutions
Altera offers OEMs a wide array of PWE3 and circuit emulation services (CES) to support make or buy decisions through Altera® wireline and wireless ecosystems.
Altera’s wireline and wireless ecosystem offers OEMs a comprehensive portfolio of devices, IP, and ITU-T/MEF compliant off-the-shelf PWE3 and CES solutions that meet service provider requirements.
Off-The-Shelf Buy Solutions
In addition to providing the building blocks for you to build your own differentiated PWE3 and CES solutions, Altera and its partners provide turnkey circuit emulation solutions. Table 1 shows available solutions provided by Altera’s partner ecosystem as it fits your target application.
| Table 1. Altera Partner Ecosystem Solution | |
| Application | Description |
|---|---|
| Metro/Transmission | Provider Bridging Technology (PBT), CESoMPLS and CESoEthernet, MEF3 compliant, GFP, VCAT, LCAS, STS-3c/VC-4, STS-1/VC-3, fractional STS-1/ HOVC-3, OAM, ATM and Ethernet OAM functions |
| Wireline Access | CESoPSN, SAToP, TDMoP, PWE3-ATM/HDLC, Inter-working (including L2-L4 classification), Header compression, ATM, and Ethernet OAM functions |
| Wireless Access (Mobile Backhaul) | Network synchronization and timing protocol. Includes various clock synchronization techniques. Support for ATM and Ethernet OAM functions. |
| Edge | Includes higher bandwidth solutions for wireline and wireless backhaul solutions listed above. Support for STM-1 bandwidth, ATM, and Ethernet OAM functions |
| Media Gateway | iTDM |
Altera and AMPP Make Offering
The following cores are available from Altera and Altera Megafunction Partners Program (AMPPSM) partners as building blocks that you can use for assembling a PWE3 or CES solution:
- Framers
- Mappers/De-mappers
- Network Timing Support (NTP Support)
- Ethernet MACs (including IEEE 1588 support)
- Inverse Multiplexing for ATM
- Transmission Convergence
- HDLC Controllers
- Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) and ML-PPP (Multilink Point-to-Point Protocol)
- Segmentation and Re-Assembly Cores (SAR) [supporting various ATM adaptation layers]
- POS-PHY interface
- UTOPIA interface
Contact your local sales representative for more information on Altera solutions for PWE3, circuit emulation, and mobile backhaul solutions.
