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Rockwell Semiconductor Systems Adds WHQL-Certified PCI Software
Modem To Comprehensive Family Spanning Desktop, Notebook And
Handheld PCSRockwell broadens modem category to meet
differing needs of PCs and handheld devices
NEWPORT
BEACH, Calif., Aug. 3, 1998 -- Rockwell Semiconductor Systems
today expanded its modem family to include the industryís
first single-chip PCI software modem for the low-cost Basic PC
category. Rockwellís software modem also is the first of its
kind to be certified by Microsoftís Windows Hardware
Qualification Labs, so that modem products using the software modem
bear Microsoftís WHQL logo.
Rockwellís
software modem rounds out a comprehensive family that now includes
hardware modems, software modems, and special versions tailored for
the different low-cost bundling requirements of PCs and
communications-capable handheld devices. The expanded family goes
well beyond the industryís early "one size fits
all" modem approach and provides OEMs with the most appropriate
solution for a diverse range of system applications. Rockwell now
addresses the following markets with optimized modem offerings:
- Sub-$1,000 Basic
PC segment: Rockwellís software modem is available in
volume quantities and is the industryís first single-chip
PCI software modem for low-cost desktop and notebook PCs. It
also is the first PCI software modem to receive certification
from Microsoftís Windows Hardware Qualification Lab
(WHQL).
- Mainstream
cost-competitive PC segment: Rockwellís PCI and ISA
modems use the popular "controllerless" architecture
for bundled PC modems, which significantly reduces costs by
moving the modemís control functions onto the host
processor.
- Mainstream add-in
cards and external modems for "performance" PC
segment: Rockwellís traditional full-hardware modem
chipsets are optimized for performance, ease of integration and
fast design-in cycles.
Handheld Device
segment: Rockwell has addressed OEM concerns about software-modem
deficiencies in this application by applying the same controllerless
architecture proven in mainstream cost-competitive PCs, in an
implementation that has been optimized for this emerging market
segment.
Rockwellís expanded offering provides OEMs
with a single, scaleable modem technology across diverse product
platforms. "We now offer an optimized solution for the Basic PC
space, as part of a comprehensive, scaleable modem portfolio that
spans a broad range of platforms," said Matt Rhodes, division
director of marketing for analog communications products within
Rockwellís Personal Computing Division.
"The
consumer gets the right balance of cost savings, power efficiency,
features and performance, tailored to the computing platform and
consumer application," Rhodes added. "And our customers
can leverage their investment in our technology across a broad
spectrum of PC products, quickly and easily adapting their product
mix."
SoftK56(TM) is First Single-Chip
V.90 PCI
Software Modem
Rockwellís SoftK56 PCI software
modem is the first PCI-based software modem to carry the Microsoft
WHQL logo and earn a spot on the WHQL Hardware Compatibility list.
It also is the first to be fully compliant with PC í98 Design
Guidelines, and the first to use a single chip for the bus
controller, codec and codec interface functions that are still
performed in hardware.
The SoftK56 PCI software modem
leverages Intelís MMX(TM) instruction-set extensions to
reduce CPU consumption, and is targeted at the fast-growing Basic PC
(sub-$1,000) desktop market and is compatible with all popular
CPUís. For notebook PCs, Rockwell offers a version of its
SoftK56 modem with low active power consumption and a compact form
factor.
An advanced, latency-tolerant system software
architecture gives the SoftK56 solution the performance of a
hardware modem even when there are concurrent CPU-intensive
operations such as soft DVD playback. Other features include V.90,
K56flex(TM) and other standard modem modulations, V.80 videophone
compatibility, telephone answering machine support, a full-duplex
speakerphone, and DOS box support for popular PC games.
WindowsÆ NT drivers are included to allow OEMs to obtain WHQL
certification.
Rockwellís Proven Controllerless Modem
Architecture Now Seeing New Applications in Handheld PCs
Rockwell began shipping its Host Controlled Family (HCF)
products in the first quarter of 1998, using the so-called
"controllerless" architecture that has become the
prevailing choice for bundled modems in PCs. Rockwellís PCI
and ISA HCF modems include a compact single-chip front end with the
datapump or digital signal processor (DSP) and codec, plus software
for the hardware driver, modem control and port driver functions.
Now, Rockwell is applying this same basic architecture to
handheld PCs, where software modems hit the right price points but
typically overburden the CPU in a multitasking Windows CE
environment. In general, the controllerless architecture leaves the
compute-intensive digital signal processing (DSP) functions and
codec in hardware, moves the control functions to the host, and
eliminates memory requirements. Rockwell uses this same
architectural concept and single-chip datapump for a special modem
implementation for handheld PCs.
Rockwellís PCI
software modem is available immediately and is priced at $20 in OEM
volumes of 10,000, including the single-chip bus controller, codec
and codec interface. Packaging options include a two-package
configuration that is pin-compatible with the HCF, or a
single-package 144-pin TQFP. Rockwellís PCI and ISA HCF
modems for bundled desktop PC modem applications are in volume
production and are priced at $28 in quantities of 10,000, including
the bus controller, single-chip datapump/codec front end and
companion software. The HCF modemsí two-package
implementation includes a choice of 144-pin TQFP or 100-pin PQFP for
the datapump portion that enables very small end-user product sizes.
Rockwell Semiconductor Systems is based in Newport Beach,
Calif. Rockwell Semiconductor Systems is a leading worldwide
provider of semiconductor system solutions for personal
communications electronics products used in personal computing,
network access, personal imaging, wireless communications and
digital infotainment applications. These products leverage the
company's 30-year heritage in mixed-signal computing in such key
areas as signal-processing algorithms, signal conversion, and
communications protocols. For more information, visit the Rockwell
Semiconductor Systems website at http://www.rss.rockwell.com/.
Rockwell is a global electronic controls and communications
company with leadership positions in industrial automation, avionics
and communications, and electronic commerce. In late June, Rockwell
announced it planned to spin off to shareowners its Semiconductor
Systems business at calendar year end. Rockwellís continuing
businesses will have projected fiscal 1998 sales of approximately $7
billion and 38,000 employees.
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K56flex and SoftK56 are trademarks of Rockwell
International. Other products identified are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective holders. |
