Tuesday July 18, 8:06 am Eastern Time-Company Press Release
Advanced Communication Riser Special Interest Group is Title Sponsor of Platform Conference
Ten Additional Technology Leaders Join the ACR SIG to Promote an Open Riser Specification That Integrates Networking and Broadband Access for the Next Generation of PC Communications
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 18, 2000-- At Platform Conference, the Advanced Communication Riser Special Interest Group (ACR SIG) today announced that 10 additional technology leaders have joined the ACR SIG, increasing its membership to 43 and speeding the adoption of the ACR technology. The ACR SIG welcomes Biostar, DFI, EFA Corporation, FIC, Hsing Tech, Insyde Software, Iwill, Matrox Graphics, Quantum Computer, and SIS. ACR SIG members are:
- 3Com - Lucent
- Acer Labs - Matrox Graphics
- AMD - MicroStar Inc. (MSI)
- ArchTek Telecom - Motorola
- Askey Computer - Nu Vision Technology
- AsusTek Computer - NVIDIA
- Biostar - Ocean Manufacturing
- CastleNet Technology - PCTEL
- Conexant - Phoenix
- DFI - Quantum Computer
- D-Link - SigmaTel
- EFA Corporation - SIS
- Elite Group Computer Systems - Smart Link
- ESS - Standard Microsystems (SMSC)
- FIC - Tech Gen Inc.
- Giga-Byte Technology - TI
- Hsing Tech - T-Square Design
- IC Ensemble - Turbocomm Tech.
- ICS - VIA
- Insyde Software - WELL Communication
- Iwill - Wolfson Microelectronics
- KC Technology, Inc.
The group's mission is to promote the development and introduction of simple, reliable and inexpensive communications and audio systems for the personal computing market segment.
The ACR SIG will conduct four tutorials and demonstrate ACR systems at this year's Platform Conference. Tutorials will introduce the ACR SIG and the ACR standard, present Microsoft WHQL and ACR testing, discuss implementation of Local Area Network (LAN) connectivity on the new Audio Communications Riser (ACR) bus; discuss the implementation of Broadband Communications over IPB (Integrated Packet Bus) on the new riser; and provide an overview of future ACR issues and an example application of providing DSL and wireless PAN or LAN connectivity using the new ACR bus. Complete agendas for the sessions are posted at www.platformconference.com.
The ACR specification defines a physical design and interfaces for multiple communications and audio subsystem in PCs. The interface combines several existing communications buses, and introduces a new, advanced communications bus answering industry demand for low-cost, high-performance communications peripherals. The specification enables riser-based broadband communications, networking peripheral and audio subsystem designs in an open-standards context. ACR supports modems, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), digital subscriber line (DSL) and audio technologies. Provisions are also made for future wireless bus support. The ACR 1.0 specification was published in February 2000.
The first ACR Plugfest was held during May in Austin, Texas with nine member companies participating. ACR is based on existing technologies and ACR.Basic, ACR.Lite and ACR.Hub solutions are being implemented.
Examples of some ACR LAN and WAN configurations:
ACR Card Features
ACR Basic(TM) V.90 and Audio
ACR Lite(TM) V.90, HomePNA or Ethernet and Audio
ACR.Hub(TM) Cable Modem or DSL, HomePNA or
Ethernet and Audio
ACR.Xtreme(TM) Cable Modem, DSL or Wireless,
HomePNA or Ethernet, and Audio
Benefits of the ACR SIG specification:
The ACR specification provides the following technology, cost and integration benefits:
- Allows diverse and scalable communications, networking and
audio functions in a flexible combination of hardware and
software cores
- Supports simultaneous AC97 functions, multiple network
interfaces, and a DSL interface on a single riser card
- Provides multiple communications functions without using
multiple PCI slots
- Releases multiple PCI bus slots for use by other peripherals
or board real estate savings
- Preserves choice in selection of discreet silicon components
to promote industry innovation and product differentiation
- Allows enhancement or replacement of discreet silicon hardware
cores with software, facilitating integration of core logic
and peripherals
- Adds interfaces that collect the RJ-11 communications and
networking functions into a single RJ-11 jack, such as analog
modems, HomePNA networking and xDSL
- Allows risers to receive applicable industry and agency
approvals independent of the motherboard, reducing approval
time requirements and accelerating design and release of new
system platforms
The ACR interface and connector scheme provide the following key
benefits:
- Expands the number of signaling pins and functions relative to
other riser initiatives
- Uses an existing high-volume, low-cost 120 pin PCI A-stagger
connector
- Supports future ACR extensions including multiple xDSL Codecs,
faster xDSL devices, and reserved wireless interface pins
What ACR members say:
``The growing support for the ACR SIG underscores the importance of an open industry riser standard that accelerates the delivery of products supporting communications while reducing PC manufacturing costs,'' said Mike Johnson, vice president of the Advanced Architecture Lab at AMD. ``As one founder of the ACR SIG, AMD extends a warm welcome to our new members.''
``Conexant has contributed to the development of a highly integrated specification for future implementations of advanced communications riser products,'' said Conrad Maxwell, technology manager, Conexant Systems, Inc. ``Our communications product portfolio emphasizes functional integration to support ACR.Basic through ACR.Xtreme and we are pleased to be part of the broad industry support as it extends the key elements of next generation communications for the end-user.''
``NVIDIA is pleased to be part of the ACR special interest group,'' said Dan Vivoli, senior vice president of marketing at NVIDIA. ``Combined with our world leading graphics, the ACR specification gives consumers PC's that are more powerful and increasingly flexible.''
``PCTEL's participation in the founding of the ACR SIG was to contribute to the development of a single, highly integrated specification for future implementation of communication riser products,'' explained Peter Chen, CEO of PCTEL. ``The ACR standard allows PCTEL to extend its own commitment to bring highly integrated broadband communications and home networking solutions to market through our HSP technology. The establishment of this open standard for riser cards will allow for an unprecedented opportunity for product innovation, development and flexibility which will benefit both manufacturers and end users of high speed internet access and networking technology.''
Phoenix Technologies will enable systems that implement the Advanced Communications Riser 1.0 (ACR) standard in our industry leading PhoenixBIOS and AwardBIOS,`` said Jonathan Sloves, senior director of marketing, Platform Enabling Division, Phoenix Technologies Ltd. ''Enhancing communications capabilities and reducing cost are industry initiatives that require multi-party cooperation to successfully enable and optimize Internet PCs.``
``SMART LINK TECHNOLOGIES, INC. proudly supports the work of the ACR SIG to standardize and to promote the open specification for progressive riser card technology,'' said Antonio Visconti, vice president of marketing and business development for SMART LINK TECHNOLOGIES, INC. ``By participating in the ACR SIG, we are committing to the continual development of innovative solutions that support riser card technology for PC communications, especially those that bring low-cost broadband and modem capabilities to consumers.''
``VIA Technologies and our motherboard partners are proud to provide an ACR-compatible chipset and motherboard platform to support the innovative communications riser products from ACR-SIG members,'' said Richard Brown, Director of Marketing for VIA Technologies, Inc. ``The ACR initiative is an excellent case-study for the rapid implantation of a new industry wide standard and yet more proof that open standards will always win-out over proprietary solutions.''
About the Advanced Communications Riser Special Interest Group
The ACR Special Interest Group (ACR SIG) manages the development of the ACR specification. The ACR SIG is an open, not-for-profit organization representing the microcomputer industry. ACR SIG membership is open to the microcomputer industry.
Membership to the ACR SIG is open to all companies supporting this initiative. To become an ACR SIG member or for help in obtaining specifications and development materials about the ACR Specification, visit the ACR SIG web site at acrsig.org.
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Contact:
AMD Public Relations
Catherine Abbinanti, 512/602-2292
cathy.abbinanti@amd.com
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