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To: Frank A. Coluccio who wrote (1975)	8/25/1998 3:28:00 PM
From: Frank A. Coluccio	Respond to of 12823

Rockwell Semiconductor Systems Doubles Data Rates for ZipWire Modem Chips, Adds Key Features to Enable New Class of Low-Cost Business Connectivity Services August 25, 1998 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Latest ZipWire(TM) offering combines voice and multi-megabit symmetric-speed data services on a single twisted copper pair, and boosts data rates to an industry-high 2320 Kbps for this technology -- ZipWire enables robust Internet/intranet and business connectivity services at one-tenth the cost of leased T1 lines Rockwell Semiconductor Systems Monday released the latest version of its popular ZipWire(TM) Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL) modem, adding features optimized for new low-cost business connectivity services that are now being offered by Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs). These services combine symmetric data transport at up to double the data rate of T1 lines with the ability to simultaneously carry voice and data on the same line -- all at prices as little as one-tenth that of a leased T1 line. Originally used to deploy standard T1 lines, the new ZipWire chipset employs Rockwell's advanced CMOS semiconductor process technology to transform into a low-cost, extremely power-efficient 3.3v, single-chip solution with the versatility to enable a broad range of more affordable business connectivity services. The latest ZipWire solution also includes software-selectable data rates from 144 Kbps to 2320 Kbps, and an integrated framer that enables dynamic allocation of voice and data bandwidth as a low-cost T1 alternative. With these capabilities, ZipWire provides business users with a solution that is faster than 56Kbps modems, frame-relay service and 128 Kbps ISDN lines, more versatile than Asymmetric DSL (ADSL) for voice calls, large e-mail attachments and remote access, and more secure and easier to access than cable modems. Rockwell's complete ZipWire solution includes the RS8973 single-chip DSL modem with integrated analog front end, and the RS8953B framer, which enables user-programmed DSL frame format and dynamic allocation of bandwidth between Internet Protocol (IP) data and 64Kb/channel voice calls. ZipWire's new upper rate of 2320 Kbps supports T1/E1 transport on a single twisted pair, and its on-chip, software-programmable clock synthesizer eliminates the need for expensive external PLL circuits to support user-programmable rate adaptability for optimum service flexibility. ZipWire also now features ultra-low power dissipation of only 500mW, and small package profiles to meet the high density requirements of multichannel data concentrator equipment. Additionally, ZipWire's multi-line aggregation capabilities enable high data rate connectivity even for users who are located far from a telco's central offices. OEMs also have the option of connecting ZipWire to Rockwell's RS8228 ATM Physical-Layer (PHY) device for end-to-end ATM transport and aggregation, and to Rockwell's RS8370 T1/E1 framer for T1/E1 transport. "The introduction of the RS8973 and RS8953B allows manufacturers of access systems to offer a product which is tailored to the needs of business transmission," said Ron Cates, director of commercial DSL products at Rockwell. "With this new ZipWire chipset, a symmetric link can be provisioned with programmable data rates and full compatibility with legacy T1 installations, while at the same time enabling both multi-channel voice transport and high-speed data connectivity." SDSL technology uses the same 2B1Q line code as High Bit Rate DSL (HDSL) technology that is used to deploy the overwhelming majority of T1/E1 lines worldwide. This makes SDSL the only high-speed access technology to offer full spectral compatibility with the many T1 lines that exist in typical business parks. Rockwell was an early HDSL pioneer and introduced its first ZipWire SDSL chipset in the mid-1990s for traditional T1 deployment and voice pair gain applications. More recently, ZipWire had emerged as an early solution for the first CLEC remote access concentrator equipment, and the latest version addresses this market's specific feature-set requirements. The first CLECs were established over the past 18 months following passage of the Telecommunications Deregulation Act of 1996. It is estimated that several hundred now compete in the estimated $100 billion-plus local calling market. Rockwell's RS8973 single-chip DSL modem and RS8953B framer are available in sample quantities, with volume production slated for October 1998. The RS8973 modem is packaged in a 100-pin PQFP and priced at $19 in OEM volumes. The RS8953B framer is packaged in a 80-pin PQFP and priced at $11 OEM volumes. Based in Newport Beach, Rockwell Semiconductor Systems is a leading worldwide provider of semiconductor system solutions for personal communications electronics products used in personal computing, network access, personal imaging, wireless communications and digital infotainment. These product platforms offer a variety of technology convergence opportunities and each leverages the company's 30-year mixed-signal computing heritage in such key areas as signal-processing algorithms, signal conversion, and communications protocols. For more information, visit the Rockwell Semiconductor Systems Web site at rss.rockwell.com. Rockwell (NYSE:ROK) is a global electronic controls and communications company with leadership positions in industrial automation, avionics and communications, and electronic commerce. In late June, Rockwell announced that it planned to spin off to shareowners its Semiconductor Systems business at calendar year end. Rockwell's continuing businesses will have projected fiscal 1998 sales of approximately $7 billion and 38,000 employees. CONTACT: Rockwell Semiconductor Systems \| Julie Seymour, 949/221-5287 \| julie.seymour@rss.rockwell.com \| or \| Literature and Product Contacts: \| U.S.: 800/854-8099 \| International: 949/221-6996 \| rockwell@salessupport.com \| or \| The Benjamin Group Inc. \| Carolyn Fromm, 714/245-7500 \| carolyn_fromm@benjamingroup.com

To: Frank A. Coluccio who wrote (1975)	8/25/1998 3:41:00 PM
From: Frank A. Coluccio	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 12823

Euro battle looms over cable modems Standards fight pits DVB/Davic, MCNS -- August 25, 1998 ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING TIMES via NewsEdge Corporation : London - The lines have been drawn in Europe for the beginning of a battle over cable-modem standards between a European-developed version, known as DVB/Davic or DVB-RC, and the U.S.-developed multimedia cable network system (MCNS). The first salvo was fired by U.K. cable operator Cable & Wireless Communications, which has selected MCNS for future set-top boxes, despite the existence of the DVB/Davic cable-modem standard. Cable & Wireless is the first European cable television service provider to commit to MCNS, and some participants are predicting that MCNS will displace the European standard because of its U.S. support, and because it is ahead in terms of chip-set development. Breaking ranks In deciding on MCNS, Cable & Wireless is going against the preference of the European Cable Communications Association (ECCA), a European-wide industry organization, which has selected the DVB/Davic system on behalf of its members. Cable & Wireless is exploiting the fact that use of the European cable-modem standard is not mandatory within Europe, unlike most other aspects of the Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) family of broadcasting standards. Cable & Wireless has ordered 100,000 digital cable-TV set-top boxes with MCNS cable modems from Pace Micro Technology plc (Saltaire, England). It plans to begin supplying the boxes to subscribers in limited numbers this year, and to go to a full rollout in the first quarter of 1999. A spokesperson for Cable & Wireless said, "From our perspective, the MCNS standard is far more flexible, and it's a de facto industry standard by weight of support." As well as supporting Internet access through the television, the digital box will provide PC users with high-speed access to the Internet via the cable modem and broadband network. The MCNS cable modem will provide a 27-Mbit/second downstream channel and a 10-Mbit/s upstream channel. On the other hand, ECCA argues that the DVB/Davic system is best suited to the needs of European cable operators because it is designed to work with the DVB system, and provides video and audio broadcasting and data communication as well as voice telephony. The DVB/Davic standard specifies both Internet Protocol and asynchronous transfer mode encapsulated data in the digital MPEG transport stream. It includes quality-of-service differentiation for multitier services and full security and encryption. "There is competition between the two sides," said Gregers Kronborg, chief operating officer of Cocom A/S (Copenhagen), a supplier of broadband access technology. "ECCA is saying that because of the European directive that applies to TV transmissions, they want to use DVB/Davic." He conceded that the European directive isn't mandatory. "I don't think they [the European authorities] will extend the directive to the back channel; it is hard to enforce a directive on equipment that has been deployed. But DVB/Davic is just as available as MCNS," he stressed. Andy Trott, director of engineering at Pace, said, "At the moment there isn't a battle, because DVB/Davic return channel is not available." Trott said that while physical-layer chips are available, the media access control (MAC) for the DVB return channel standard is not. Cocom's Kronborg countered this, saying that Cocom can already supply a MAC implementation for the DVB/Davic cable modem, based on a 32-bit RISC processor, FPGA and memory, and would be demonstrating the system at the upcoming International Broadcasting Convention to be held Sept. 11 to 15 in Amsterdam. Cocom has also announced plans to integrate the implementation in a single chip to make a MAC processor for the DVB/Davic cable modem with Fujitsu Microelectronics. Kronborg admitted that integrating the DVB/Davic MAC could take six months, but he argued that Broadcom, the main supplier of MCNS chips, has also announced a delay of one of the chip components within its chip set. That means both DVB/ Davic and MCNS cable modems should be ready for wide-scale supply early in 1999, he said. Copyright - 1998 CMP Media Inc. By Peter Clarke <<ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING TIMES -- 08-24-98, p. PG53>>