Altera and Escape Communications Announce High-capacity Turn-key Modem Solution for E- and V-band Microwave Radios

San Jose, Calif., —Feb 26, 2015– Altera Corporation (Nasdaq: ALTR) and Escape Communications today announced the availability of a high-performance, cost-effective and scalable microwave modem solution that that enables rapid system development and accelerates production shipments for microwave backhaul and fronthaul applications.

• The turn-key platform includes an Arria V FPGA, host processor, Ethernet PHY, and Texas Instruments (TI) analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and digital-to-analog converters (DACs).
• The platform includes both copper and SFP Ethernet ports and supports CPRI over SFP up to 3 Gbps. For E- and V-band applications, the solution supports up to 256 QAM and RF channel bandwidths to 500 MHz providing data rates greater than 3 Gbps.
• The modem board interfaces with various millimeter wave OEM RF modules, allowing customers flexibility to support multiple, millimeter-wave bands; it also features adaptive coding and modulation (ACM), IEEE 1588v2, and SyncE support.
• For licensed band applications, the platform supports up to 4096 QAM in 112 MHz and 1024-QAM in 224 MHz channels and is offered as IP or board solution.

Seamless Integration with Analog and RF Partners, TI and Infineon
The Escape platform (ESM-5008) integrates TI’s 12-bit, 800-MSPS ADC (ADS5402) and 16-bit, 1.25 GSPS DAC (DAC5682Z) on a compact 159-mm x 159-mm board and is provided with link management software. The ESM-5008 platform operates with multiple microwave and millimeter-wave modules enabling support for traditional and emerging millimeter applications. Altera and Escape are demonstrating full compatibility with the Infineon RF E-band millimeter-wave module (BGT70_80 SMB1) at Mobile World Congress 2015 on March 2 to March 5. To schedule an appointment at the show to see and discuss the solution, contact Altera Wireless Strategic Manager Dave Brubaker of the Communications Business Unit. dbrubaker@altera.com

“Altera and Escape have developed a ready-for market microwave backhaul platform that integrates all the key components for a microwave backhaul and fronthaul solution enabling fast-time to market,” said Mike Fitton, Director of Wireless for the Communications Business Unit at Altera. “Altera will continue to support the emerging microwave backhaul market with industry-leading SoC FPGAs as the required data rate continues to expand.”

Escape Communications CEO and Founder Mike Stewart stated, “We are pleased to provide this cost-effective, market-ready solution to the emerging V- and E-band markets. This solution, with its integration with our analog and RF partners, shortens the time-to-market for equipment providers, and several OEMs are now driving these into the market. The Escape backhaul modem IP is currently optimized for use on the Altera Cyclone V and Arria V FPGAs and SoCs operating at bandwidths of up to 1 GHz and modulation types from QPSK to 4096 QAM.”

Availability
For ESM-5008 availability and order information, readers should contact an Escape sales representative at sales@escapecom.com or 310-997-1300.

About Altera
Altera® programmable solutions enable designers of electronic systems to rapidly and cost effectively innovate, differentiate and win in their markets. Altera offers FPGAs, SoCs, CPLDs, and complementary technologies, such as power management, to provide high-value solutions to customers worldwide. Visit Altera at www.altera.com.