Burr-Brown Corporation announced two complete analog front ends, the AFE1203 and AFE1205, that double the speed of single pair HDSL (High-bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line) systems.

HDSL technology provides high speed data transfer using existing copper wire infrastructures. The AFE1203 and AFE1205 reduce the size and cost of a single pair HDSL system by providing, in a single chip, all the active analog circuitry needed to connect an HDSL digital signal processor to copper wire telephone lines. Single pair HDSL technology is ideal for business oriented T1/E1 services as well as local area networks and Internet servers.

In addition, the high speed, single pair capability allows Competitive Local Exchange Companies (CLEC) to lease half as many wires, thus optimizing existing copper wire networks and decreasing overall system cost.

The AFE1203's scaleable data rate (up to 2.3Mbps) allows single pair HDSL users to run twice as much data over a single pair. These units feature user programmable power dissipation (385mW used for operation at 2.3Mbps) to reduce power consumption when using the unit at lower speeds (down to 160kbps) to lengthen reach.

"The AFE1203 and AFE1205 offer twice the speed of Burr-Brown's previous analog front ends," said CR Teeple, strategic marketing manager at Burr-Brown. "With these additions to the AFE product family, we continue to expand our position as the industry-leading producer of analog front ends for DSL systems."

The vast network of copper wires makes DSL an attractive alternative to other high speed data transfer technologies. There are more than 600 million copper access lines worldwide, potentially making xDSL a multi-billion dollar market.

The AFE1203 features a programmable low-power mode, scaleable data rate up to 2.3Mbps, and a +5V power supply (+5V to +3.3V digital). It meets 2B1Q HDSL European and US Standards.

As we get well into the offerings of xDSL services around the country it seems that HDSL is being touted as the way to go by many of the systems. I think that it will take another 2 years for the marketplace to really decide that. Nevertheless Burr-Brown has positioned itself as a major player in this market and the AFE1203 is way up there amongst the best of offerings -- although I hope they realize that they may have to be considerably more fluid in their pricing.

Nice specs, good power performance. Nice product. The AFE1203 is in production in a 48-pin SSOP and is priced at $14.40 in 1000-piece lots.