U.S. Robotics and Texas Instruments join on x2/DSLtm hybrid modem program
Business Wire - May 13, 1997 11:00
FINANCIAL US-ROBOTICS TEXAS-INST USRX TXN VIRGINIA ILLINOIS COMPUTERS ELECTRONICS COMED PRODUCT V%BW P%BW
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jump to first matched term
SKOKIE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 13, 1997--
x2/DSL modems planned for commercial channels in 1998
U.S. Robotics (NASDAQ:USRX) and Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN) announced a strategic initiative to deliver a family of affordable and upgradeable "hybrid" modems supporting both dial-up access, including U.S. Robotics x2 56 Kbps analog, and rate adaptive Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL).
The product family will be called x2/DSLT(TM) and will run on Texas Instrument's industry performance leading TMS320C6x digital signal processing (DSP) platform. Capable of processing 1.6 billion instructions per second, the `C6x has the processing power to implement the x2/DSL. U.S. Robotics plans to introduce x2/DSL modems in the first half of 1998.
U.S. Robotics' Advanced Development Group will develop DSP software for x2/DSL and incorporate DMT technology for ADSL modulation recently licensed from Aware, Inc. as well x2 56K algorithms developed by U.S. Robotics.
Microsoft Views x2/DSL as Key Enabler
x2/DSL modems will contain software to operate either as analog dialup or with ADSL lines, so that users can migrate to ADSL wherever they're ready. U.S. Robotics will provide downloadable software upgrades for these modems, a crucial capability since 56K and ADSL standards are still evolving. Craig Mundie, Senior VP of the Consumer Platforms Division at Microsoft Corporation said, "Delivering the Internet, data services, and connectivity through the Public Network infrastructure is a major challenge.
Microsoft is working with various hardware and software partners to deliver an end-to-end solution enabling Public Network Operators to offer these services through the Public Networks infrastructure. ADSL running over the existing telephony network is a key piece of the solution. U.S. Robotics' unique approach to combining 56 kilobit analog and ADSL into a single modem will make the transition easier, and help realize our common vision."
Technology and Market Leadership Leverage: Reprogrammable DSP Solutions
The TI `C6x architecture is supported by a powerful software development environment based on common tools and platforms. There are already 20,000 software developers supporting TI DSP solutions. The performance of the `C6x will enable the convergence of voiceband and ADSL modems. The programmability of this DSP solution will allow downloadable software from companies like U.S. Robotics to provide enhanced features, performance options and interoperability to anyone who invests in this platform. The TI `C6x platform and x2/DSL will revolutionize the way remote access networks are built and provisioned.
Benefits for Telecom Service Providers
Telecom service providers are poised to offer ADSL widely. However, since the current generation of ADSL modems are not interoperable, telecom service providers have had to take responsibility for provisioning specific modems to their users for their ADSL trials. The combination of TI's programmable `C6x and U.S. Robotics software and modem position will let them rely on broad retail distribution for modems that are standards compliant and adaptable.
Benefits for End Customers
With the introduction of x2/DSL, customers will have the freedom to choose when to upgrade to xDSL without having to throw away their investment in their modem or applications. Customers will be able to operate the modem in analog mode for telephony services such as fax and voice mail or take advantage of ADSL for higher bandwidth starved applications. This "evergreen" approach brings protection of their investment. As standards evolve in x2 and xDSL, users can have the confidence that US Robotics will provide easy software upgrades.
x2/DSL is a trademark of U.S. Robotics Corporation
About U.S. Robotics
U.S. Robotics is one of the world's leading suppliers of products and systems that provide access to information. The company designs, manufactures, markets and supports remote access servers, LAN switching equipment, desktop/mobile client products and modems, telephony products and handheld organizers. U.S. Robotics products connect computers and other equipment over analog, digital and switched cellular networks, enabling users to gain access to, manage and share data, fax and voice information. Its customers include Internet service providers, regional Bell operating companies, inter-exchange carriers and a wide range of other large and small businesses, institutions and individuals. More information is available on U.S. Robotics WWW site at www.usr.com.
About Texas Instruments
An industry pioneer and the worldwide leader in digital signal processing solutions, Texas Instruments celebrates the 15th anniversary of its first DSP in 1997. TI provides innovative DSP solutions to more than 20,000 customers worldwide in the computer, communications, consumer, automotive, military and industrial markets. TI was recognized by IEEE for technical excellence in the design and application of DSPs by receiving the 1996 IEEE Corporate Innovation Recognition Award. TI offers a unique breadth of digital and mixed-signal products and technologies, hardware and software development tools, design information services and global support.
Texas Instruments Incorporated, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is one of the world's foremost high-technology companies, with sales or manufacturing operations in more than 30 countries. TI products and services include semiconductors; software productivity tools; mobile computing products and consumer electronics products; electrical controls and metallurgical materials. For more information about Texas Instruments, visit www.ti.com on the Internet.
x2/DSL Endorsements and Comments
Microsoft Endorsement
Craig Mundie, Senior VP of the Consumer Platforms Division at Microsoft Corporation said, "Delivering the Internet, data services, and connectivity through the Public Network infrastructure is a major challenge. Microsoft is working with various hardware and software partners to deliver an end-to-end solution enabling Public Network Operators to offer these services through the Public Networks infrastructure. ADSL running over the existing telephony network is a key piece of the solution. U.S. Robotics' unique approach to combining 56 kilobit analog and ADSL into a single modem will make the transition easier, and help realize our common vision."
Aware Endorsement
"We are pleased to be partnered with U.S. Robotics. As a market leader in both voice band modems and remote access products, U.S. Robotics is uniquely positioned to establish a broad commercial market for hybrid modems," says Jim Bender, Aware president and CEO.
Texas Instruments Comment
"Going forward, TI and USR are working together to deliver a family of tailored networking solutions at different price/performance points, all based on the `C6x architecture, and with the same inherent extensibility to include new value-added features," said Greg Waters, director of TI's Networking Business Unit. "In addition to silicon architectures, this work will focus on solving industry level issues such as modulation, signal integrity, standards, traffic management and others. Our vision is to make high performance network access available to users of our platforms available anywhere, anytime, while driving affordability and new applications to the end-user."
U.S. Robotics Comment
"We're going to protect the customer's investment with an affordable transition to x2 and ADSL, no matter which directions the standards take, and even if different service providers support different protocols," said Ron Westernik, vice president of marketing for U.S. Robotics' Broadband Access Communication Division.
Market Analysts Contacts
David Cooperstein
Forrester Research
617/520-5780
Bobbi Murphy
Dataquest
408/468-8000
Vern Mackall
IDC/link
212/512-2848
Dan Merriman
Giga
617/577-4740
CONTACT: U.S. Robotics
Merritt Group Inc.
Ben Merritt,
ben@benmerritt.com, 703/435-6000
REPEATS: New York 212-752-9600 or 800-221-2462; Boston 617-236-4266 or
800-225-2030; SF 415-986-4422 or 800-227-0845; LA 310-820-9473
Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet
with Hyperlinks to your home page.
URL: businesswire.com |
