ADI, Hayes collaborate on cable modem for MCNS

Electronic News, Dec 15, 1997 by Gale Morrison

Anaheim, Calif.--At the Western Cable trade show, Analog Devices and Hayes Microcomputer Products revealed their collaboration on cable modems to the multimedia cable network systems (MCNS) standard. ADI is having a bang-up end to 1997, having just been allowed to talk of its single-chip modem work with 3Com, a supply relationship that has long been the turf of Texas Instruments (EN, Dec. 8).

ADI and Hayes two weeks ago formalized the hardware development in a memorandum of understanding (MOU), according to Juan Figueroa, strategy manager for cable modems at ADI. These efforts are to develop next-generation chipsets and cable modem products that achieve higher data rates over hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable networks, and prototypes will just be coming out in mid-98.

Hayes' cable modems will be based on interoperability standards set by the Multimedia Cable Network Systems (MCNS) consortium. In 1998, Hayes will introduce first a one-way (telephony return) cable modem and then a two-way cable modem conforming to the standard.

The collaboration of these two for products and the standards work of the MCNS consortium alleviate some of the concern raised over how cable operators will fare in the business of data transmission. One type of cable modem available from many vendors eases the operators' transition into retail channels and support Internet-via-cable, without purchasing and leasing cable modems to subscribers, Mr. Figueroa said.

The Role Of Hayes

Hayes sees its role as a large OEM with control over its hardware requirements, manufacturing options and channel distribution, according to Alan Adamson, director of Hayes' Broadband business unit. "The technology and cost requirements we demand can be met by Analog Devices," Alan Adamson, director of Hayes' Broadband business unit, said. Hayes has ADI cable modem silicon now, and may have "a little bit of an edge" in availability, but their customer/supplier relationship is not exclusive.

"This collaboration represents an opportunity to combine the proven Hayes brand with the signal processing expertise of ADI. With Hayes' established channels of distribution, we can bring the product to market quickly because Hayes sells to the end-user already," Mr. Adamson said.

In addition, he said Hayes will be very flexible on the manufacturing of the modems, using either their contract manufacturing partners or some of their own facilities, Mr. Adamson said, including those near headquarters in Norcross, Ga. "We move that around whenever we need to," Mr. Adamson said. The company's Practical Peripherals subsidiary manufactures in Southeast Asia.

Hayes' prototype modems for field trials should be available as early as 2Q98, it was said. Hayes anticipates availability at select regional retail outlets as early as 4Q98. As is the norm in the industry, Hayes plans to start talking about products and pricing before then, in 1Q98. Hayes demonstrated MCNS-compliant products at its booth last week.

The partnership enables "Hayes to leverage its brand and assert itself with products that provide scaleable new-wave services, including IP telephony and virtual private networking," Russ Johnsen, VP/GM of Analog Devices' Communications division, said.

What ADI Can Do

"ADI possesses the singular ability to integrate world-class converter technology and digital signal processing, both of which are essential to all forms of digital communications and cable modems," he added.

Hayes will utilize Analog Devices' integrated and programmable, full-duplex up/downstream signal processing chipsets and apply them to modems with maximum data transfer rates at 43Mps downstream and 10Mps upstream. All products will be MCNS-compliant to Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS).

Initial designs are expected to utilize the single-chip AD6201, comprising a downstream QAM demodulator, upstream QPSK/16 QAM modulator, analog and digital data converters, and programmable control and interface circuitry. Future products are expected to integrate head-end technology for a more complete, standards-based product with embedded return paths and secure, end-to-end interoperability. "We've been reducing what had been two or three chips down to one," Mr. Figueroa said.

The collaboration between Analog Devices' and Hayes includes the ongoing technology and development alliance with ADI's signal processing partner, Libit Signal Processing Ltd., based in Israel. The AD6201, co-developed with Libit, involves the integration of proven core technology for QAM supplied by Libit and QPSK technology supplied by ADI. Both cores have been demonstrated at Cable Labs and proven to be highly interoperable.

Manufacturing is done, like many ADI products, at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) on their 0.35-micron process. The week before last, ADI president/CEO Gerald Fishman said foundry Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing is becoming a bigger part of their manufacturing decision. u