Scrapps,
Why miffed? I doubt if all WSTL modems are created equal but the best information I can give you on what is in a WSTL modem comes from this post where someone actually took one apart:
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Message 14208036
To: Michael F. Donadio who wrote (2249)
From: Bilog
Sunday, Aug 13, 2000 9:59 PM ET
Reply # of 2264
I just had the opportunity to see the inside of a Westell DSL modem and the main silicon components were the 2 IC Alcatel Dynamite chipset, a Virata Helium IC, and an ADI codec but no TI.
Bilog
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In WSTL's 10K the only chip maker that they mentioned to be dependent on for their business is Virata, which had surprised me. No mention of ALA, (which doubly surprised me), ADI, or TI (these had been mentioned in previous SEC reports). VRTA states that WSTL is their largest customer.
At Supercomm this year I went to a VRTA presentation and they talked about their solutions. They said they were in a partnership with TI to use their DSPs (C54X) in their Magnesium solution and were fablessly producing ALA compatible DSL chips (I believe LSI produces them). They claimed to provide complete solutions, including software, which enabled OEMs to produce lower cost products. Take that for whatever it is worth.
I am now aware of VRTA's relationship with ADI, but was not while at Supercomm. It wasn't mentioned or I selectively tuned it out. I was sure they spoke of TI and ALA. It is very likely that they have multiple solutions?
content.analog.com
Does that match your understanding or do you have a differing perspective? The ADI CC opened my eyes to the juggernaut ADI seems to be making in the DSL CO space. The above mentioned reference seems to extend to CPE, but it was not mentioned at the meeting I was at.
I remain baffled that TI seems to lack any meaningful market share. I don't know where the TI & Amati solutions has had any tangible result. Even with VRTA. When I asked how come they were using TI DSPs and doing their own software development they said TI is glad to sell their DSPs even if it meant it competed with TIs own solution.
I don't seem to be able to put a coherent picture together of what is going on. The only thing I see coming out of the TI/Amati relationship are royalties -- if that is even true. There ought to be a course.
All the best,
Michael |
