Hello Chinmoy,
Intel has been talking for quite a while about putting DSP technology into their processor chip. There are various DSP solutions on the market, and many of them are probably already in your computer in Network cards, Sound cards, and if you have a USR modem you have a DSP in there.
The question that I have not found out is if the DSP is separate from the CPU. If it is, then it will not degredate the main processor at all. But from comments I have heard from this board talked about the DSP taking time away from the main processor. It was something like 40% of a P133 for a 14.4 modem.
As for the comment about throwing away your processor to get a new modem, as long as the processor has adequate power, there is no reason to ever buy a new modem again. The DSP can be run with a multi-processing operating system (not windows, but at the chip level), but either way the modem is actually in software at that point. All you would have to do is "load" a new modem, and then the "old" modem is replaced. With the multi-processing DSP, you can run a sound card, network card, and modem all at the same time (given that you have enough processor power).
USR has been doing work with DSP's for quite a long time. Intel and TI would use USR's design and software, thus USR would stand to make BIG $$$ in both network and modem technology. They have both in DSP form.
As for anyone being wiped out, neither USR nor Intel would be hurt by this move. Even though there is a modem on the motherboard (via DSP), the electronics to hook up to the phone would still have to be delivered by someone. Take a look at the Apple Geoport. It is a DSP based modem, and you have to buy a $100 (Don't kill me if the price is wrong on that) adapter to hook the modem up though.
It will change the way we think of modem's for sure. We no longer have to worry about port speeds, because it is on the bus. We no longer have to buy internal versus external. We no longer have to worry about newer technology.
Hope this helps!
Jon |
