Agere Systems Announces Soft Modem Chip Sets For PCs That Reduce Component Count, Board Size By Up to 50 Percent for Release Thursday, May 30, 2002
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Thursday May 30, 8:33 am Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: Agere Systems
Agere Systems Announces Soft Modem Chip Sets For PCs That Reduce Component Count, Board Size By Up to 50 Percent for Release Thursday, May 30, 2002
ALLENTOWN, Pa., May 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Agere Systems (NYSE: AGR.A - News), the world leader in communications components, today announced two next-generation soft modem chip sets for notebook and desktop personal computers that enable up to a 50 percent reduction in circuit board size and number of components compared with typical chip set offerings targeting these applications. The reduced board size and component count lower electronic component, manufacturing, test and assembly costs for notebook and desktop PC manufacturers.
A soft modem reduces silicon cost by running the signal processing algorithms on the host central processing unit rather than on a separate digital signal processor (DSP) chip. Agere's new chip sets further reduces component count, and cost, for both the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), an interface widely used on desktop PCs, and Mobile Daughter Card (MDC), an interface widely used on notebook PCs, by using the latest silicon Data Access Arrangement (silicon DAA) technology from Silicon Laboratories Inc. (Nasdaq: SLAB - News). A silicon DAA integrates codec functionality and a safe barrier between a modem and a phone line, without the use of bulky components such as a transformer.
Agere's offerings, which feature V.92/V.44 56 kilobits per second modem data rates, enable single-sided MDC modem cards, by fitting all components on one side of the circuit board, thereby shrinking the size and shaving manufacturing costs. Typically, MDC modem cards require components on both sides of the circuit board. These chip sets alternatively can squeeze modem functionality into less than a square inch, which is smaller than half the area of an MDC card, leaving more room for other functions to be added. Similar savings can be realized on PCI cards as well.
The small size and reduced number of components give PC manufacturers the flexibility to add more functionality to a single computer circuit board. For example, they could combine 802.11 wireless local area network (LAN), Bluetooth, wired LAN, or General Packet Radio Service with modem functionality. PC manufacturers want to offer more functions on their PCs, both wireline and wireless, to meet the changing and growing demands of PC users for more versatile, higher-speed wireline and wireless connections.
"Modem chip set offerings have to fit in ever-shrinking notebook computers with more and more functionality," said Stan Swearingen, vice president and general manager of the Computing and Connectivity Division for Agere Systems. "These new chip sets give notebook manufacturers a way to build more value-added, differentiating features and functions onto the computer circuit board while decreasing overall electronic component and manufacturing costs."
Agere, which has been shipping soft modem chip sets into notebook computers for over two years, is using its industry-proven soft modem code to power the two new chip sets. Silicon Laboratories, the industry leader in silicon DAAs, provides tiny, two-chip, globally compliant DAAs for use in both PCI and AC97 (Audio Codec 1997) interfaces. Agere and Silicon Labs worked closely to bring this latest generation of devices to market. And Agere's extensive system expertise was used to create complete worldwide modem solutions for customers.
The fact that Agere offers a single board design based on each of these chip sets that can be used worldwide also helps lower modem manufacturers' inventory costs. Typically, manufacturers have to keep in stock at least two types of modem boards to cost effectively address different regions of the world.
Agere also offers a robust, single software driver that powers both the AC97 or PCI solutions for these chip sets. This makes it easier, less time consuming, and less expensive for PC manufacturers to test and qualify the modem chips as well as pre-load and certify their computer software. Because Agere focuses its energy on a common software base for all modem applications, the software is continuously improved to perform at high data rates in a wide variety of phone line conditions.
Agere is offering a two-chip solution, predominantly used in notebook PCs, consisting of an AC97 digital interface device named SV92A2, plus a silicon DAA device called CSP1038. Agere also offers a two-chip solution targeted towards PCI applications in desktop PCs. This solution consists of a PCI digital interface device named SV92P2, plus the same CSP1038. Because a common CSP1038 silicon DAA device and system design is used for both notebook and desktop PCs, manufactures have the benefit of robust common designs that are easier to build, certify and support.
"Silicon Laboratories is very excited to partner with Agere to provide the latest generation of PCI and AC97 modem solutions," said Dave Bresemann, vice president and general manager of wireline products for Silicon Labs. "We have significantly reduced costs with innovative silicon designs. Pairing our industry-leading silicon DAA solution with Agere's industry-proven software makes for an exceptional product."
For more product information, customers may call the Agere Systems Customer Response Center, 1-800-372-2447, Dept. A39 (in Canada, 1-800-553-2448, Dept. A39; fax number 1-610-712-4106 (especially for callers outside of North America), email: docmaster@agere.com or write to Agere Systems, Room 30L-15P-BA, 555 Union Boulevard, Allentown, Pa. 18109.
Agere Systems is the world's No.1 provider of components for communications applications with leadership in optical components and integrated circuits. This dual capability uniquely positions Agere to deliver integrated solutions that form the building blocks for advanced wired, wireless, and optical communications networks. Agere also designs and manufactures a wide range of semiconductor solutions for communications- related devices used by consumers such as cellular phones, modems, and hard disk drives for personal computers and workstations. In addition, the company supplies complete wireless computer networking solutions through the ORiNOCO product line. More information about Agere Systems is available from its Web site at agere.com.
Silicon Laboratories Inc. designs, manufactures and markets proprietary high-performance mixed-signal integrated circuits (ICs) for a broad range of communications markets. Silicon Laboratories is an ISO9001-certified manufacturer and has applied for over 125 patents on its mixed-signal technology. Silicon Labs was incorporated in 1996 and is based in Austin, Texas. Additional information about Silicon Labs is available at silabs.com or through the toll-free investor relations line at 1-877-411-SLAB (7522).
This release contains forward-looking statements based on information available to Agere as of the date hereof. Agere's actual results could differ materially from the results stated or implied by such forward-looking statements due to a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, completion of the distribution of Agere stock by Lucent Technologies, customer demand for our products and services, control of costs and expenses, timely completion of employment reductions and other restructuring and consolidation activities, price and product competition, keeping pace with technological change, dependence on new product development, reliance on major customers and suppliers, availability of manufacturing capacity, components and materials, general industry and market conditions and general domestic and international economic conditions including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations. For a further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001, and report on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2002. Agere disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
SOURCE: Agere Systems |
