Analog Devices' DSP Modem Chipset Used by Card Access In Industry's First Modem for Handspring(TM) Visor(TM) Hand-Held Computer Requiring No External Power
-New modem consumes less than 50mA while connected-
NORWOOD, Mass., June 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI - news) today announced that its DSP modem chipset and software have been used by Card Access in the industry's first Springboard(TM) modem module for the Handspring(TM) Visor(TM) hand-held computer that operates without external power. Based on an Analog Devices' DSP (digital signal processor) modem chipset and software, the new Thincom modem is powered directly from the Visor battery and uses an advanced chip design that insignificantly affects its battery life. In addition, the modem contains onboard software that loads automatically, connecting users to the Internet and transferring files and e- mail with ease.
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The Card Access Thincom(TM) modem is currently available from the PalmGear website (http://hs.palmgear.com), which Handspring has created to sell Springboard accessories, and is priced at $119.95*. Handspring's Visor (www.handspring.com) expandable hand-held computer features the Springboard platform for simple and easy hardware and software expansion with modules and accessories that do not increase the physical size of the Visor.
Card Access, Inc. chose Analog Devices to create a new DSP platform that is the core of the new Springboard modem module. The modem enables the Visor to load e-mail, update calendars and address books, transfer files and surf the Internet by connecting to a telephone line. The modem accomplishes this with preloaded software applications that auto-install after it is plugged into the Springboard slot. This first Springboard module from Card Access, the Thincom modem module, features Analog Devices' low-power, FLASH- upgradeable, controller-based modem chipset, consisting of an ADSST-218X series DSP chipset, silicon DAA and modem code developed by Telindus. Card Access designers used Analog Devices' modem chipset to create the first Springboard modem with power requirements sufficiently low to operate using only the Visor's two AAA batteries. Minimal power requirements coupled with a highly integrated silicon package result in a very thin Springboard modem module that adds no size to the Visor hand-held computer.
``Hand-held computers represent a $2 billion market in 2000, growing at a compound annual rate of 27 percent,'' said Will Strauss, president of Forward Concepts. ``Although only an estimated 25 percent of hand-helds shipping this year will be equipped with modems, a growing percentage will incorporate the functionality as both sizes and prices of hand-held-specific modems fall. Forward Concepts forecasts that the number of modem-equipped hand-helds will grow at a 58 percent compound annual growth rate, as over half of the projected 26 million units shipping in 2004 are expected to include modem functionality.''
``The Handspring Springboard modem market is a perfect fit for Analog Devices' modem chipset and software technology,'' said Mike Haidar, general manager of Analog Devices' Software & Systems Technology Division. ``Analog Devices' FLASH up-gradeable design, low power and diverse software IP create tremendous opportunities for companies like Card Access to deliver all types of embedded mobile products for today's communication needs. Card Access has applied our technology into the hand-held computer/PDA market by enhancing the Handspring Visor's functionality by linking it to the Internet and opening it to the myriad applications and shared information, as well as remote upgrades and product support.''
``By incorporating specialized code on Analog Devices' embedded, low-power DSPs, we reduce the modem's form factor, power consumption and cost to make the Card Access modem the Springboard module of choice for Visor users,'' said Jon Rhees, Card Access' vice president of software development. ``Taking advantage of FLASH upgradability, we ensure future modem speed enhancements can simply be downloaded for easy, remote upgrades. Consuming less than 50 mA of current while connected, this new modem is the first Springboard module to incorporate Analog Devices' DSP technology. The modem's aggressive power management enables it to operate directly from the Handspring Visor's battery.''
About Card Access
Founded in 1995, Card Access, Inc. has an extensive background in the mobile communications arena including PC card, Mini PCI and custom form factor designs. Card Access researches, develops, tests and manufactures a variety of embedded communications devices. Concentrating in the embedded communications market segment, Card Access focuses on providing innovative, small, low power communications designs for operating system independent applications.
About Analog Devices
With revenues of $1.1 billion for the first half of fiscal 2000, Analog Devices is a leading manufacturer of precision high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications. Headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, the company employs approximately 8,200 people worldwide and has manufacturing facilities in Massachusetts, California, North Carolina, Ireland, the Philippines and Taiwan. Analog Devices' stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the company is included in the S&P 500 Index.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Handspring, Springboard and Visor are trademarks of Handspring, Inc. Thincom is a trademark of Card Access, Inc.
Price subject to change. Current price available from hs.palmgear.com.
SOURCE: Analog Devices, Inc. |
