Conexant Extends Industry's Broadest Analog Modem Line With a Family of Low-Cost AC-Link System Solutions

Business Wire, Feb 24, 1999

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 24, 1999--

-- AC-link product family works with Intel's value platform core-logic

solutions, as well as Conexant's RipTide(TM) digital controllers;

offers advanced features such as caller ID, wake-on-ring and

enhanced audio

-- New-product family supports forthcoming Intel desktop and

portable core-logic value solutions, including the new Intel(R)

440MX mobile chipset based platforms

Conexant Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CNXT), formerly Rockwell Semiconductor Systems, Wednesday expanded its analog modem offering with the introduction of a family of AC-link products for low-cost modem only and audio/modem solutions that use the Audio Codec (AC) link architecture.

With the addition of its SmartMC(TM) modem-only solution and SoftAMC(TM) audio/modem solution, Conexant now offers the industry's most complete line of modem products. The family supports a variety of desktop and portable systems, including the upcoming Intel(R) 440MX chipset for value mobile PCs. Working with Intel, Conexant helped to define the specifications for the Audio/Modem MDC (Mobile Daughter Card); the final version was announced this week at Intel Developer's Forum in Palm Springs, Calif. AC-link enabled platforms represent a new class of low-cost, audio- and modem-ready mobile computers.

The new family includes hardware-based, software-based and "controllerless" modems, plus all associated codecs, drivers, applications and other algorithms for creating complete, host-processing system solutions. Conexant provides its customers with a single source spanning all of the requirements for creating feature-rich modem and audio solutions across a full spectrum of price/performance points.

"Conexant and Intel are working to reduce system costs for audio and modem integration, most recently with Intel's forthcoming 440MX-based mobile platforms," said Terran Reneau, program manager, platform marketing, for Intel's Mobile Handheld Products Group. "SmartMC and SoftAMC help demonstrate our vision to enable a new generation of low-cost, audio- and modem-enabled notebook computers."

"We're pleased to work with Intel to bring to market advanced audio and modem technology available for the mobile and desktop platforms," said Tom Eichenberg, product line manager at Conexant. "The SmartMC and SoftAMC family of products provide a compelling solution for OEMs looking for innovative audio and modem features at a price point consumers demand."

The SmartMC codec is the first product to use the company's new SmartDAA(TM) technology, which takes a major step toward enabling a single "global modem" technology that can be programmed for use on any public phone network worldwide (see accompanying news release). Conexant's SmartDAA solution replaces the Data Access Arrangement (DAA) portion of a modem or other communications device, and provides all of the interface circuitry, off-hook relay, loop current holding, impedance matching and ring detection that are needed for a complete solution. It is designed to meet both domestic and international line interface requirements, with enough flexibility to meet worldwide regulatory requirements. This addition allows for the elimination of many discrete devices and enables OEMs to reduce time-to-market schedules since they can have a single worldwide SKU rather than multiple discrete DAA designs that require individual homologation testing.

Both the SmartMC and SoftAMC solutions eliminate the need for a separate bus interface device, enabling manufacturers to achieve the lowest possible system cost for either modem-only or audio/modem functionality in a desktop or portable system. Both also incorporate an array of advanced features that allow systems to function as answering machines, speakerphones and handle fax and/or voice data.

The SoftAMC and SmartMC system solutions also offer a variety of enhanced features including caller ID tracking, which enables users to identify the source of incoming calls. The chipsets feature Voice-Over-IP and wake-on-ring functionality, which allows PCs in low-power, suspended state to automatically turn back on after receiving a phone call, enabling PCs to receive incoming messages that would otherwise be missed. A wide variety of both standard and enhanced features are supported, including V.90, telephone answering machine, data/fax/voice, and support for the popular operating systems.

Going beyond baseline modem functionality, the SoftAMC audio/modem solution also supports Conexant's soft audio technologies, including its professional quality wavetable synthesis solutions WaveStream(TM) 128EW, Mega WaveStream(TM) and Head Related Transfer Function (HRTF) 3D (A3D). As Conexant's second-generation AC Codec technology, SoftAMC incorporates features such as high-quality Sample Rate Conversion (SRC) for multi-rate function, greater than 92dBSNR (signal to noise ratio), 18-bit codec, six analog inputs, 3D spatialization, bass boost, Sigma Delta converter, and Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI).