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Story posted at 11:30 a.m. EST/8:30 a.m. PST, 1/16/98
Standard Microsystems launches
new family of PC-connectivity ICs
HAUPPAUGE, N.Y.--Standard Microsystems Corp. here has rolled out
the first IC in a new family of chips designed to provide advanced
connectivity features among next-generation PCs and PC peripherals.
The company said its new family will support a number of new, emerging PC
standards, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), IEEE 1394 (known as
FireWire), Device Bay and Remote Device Bay.
The initial device is what Standard Microsystems describes as the industry's
first bandwidth-efficient, multiple-endpoint USB peripheral controller. The
USB97C100 connects ISA-type peripherals to the USB. It has been
designed to supports a range of peripherals, including PC serial ports,
parallel ports, floppy disk controllers, Ethernet controllers, PC keyboards
and mice, according to Standard Microsystems.
"With the introduction of the USB97C100, the industry, for the first time,
can fully realize the potential of the Universal Serial Bus," said Robert
Hollingsworth, vice president of marketing at Standard Microsystems. "By
efficiently using all the available bandwidth of a USB connection, not only
can standalone USB floppy disk drives be implemented without
performance loss, but virtually all of the classic PC legacy ports, such as
serial, parallel, keyboard, and mouse, can be located on a single USB
connection along with the floppy drive."
Engineering samples are being made available now. Production quantities
will be available in the second quarter 1998. The 97C100 will be priced at
$9.50 each in 1,000-piece quantities.
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