Conexant: Industry's First Global Audio/Modem Solution - Product Information

EDP Weekly's IT Monitor, August 28, 2000

Conexant's SmartAMC solution integrates Conexant's audio and dial-up modem technology to provide a single, worldwide solution, making it ideal for PC manufacturers targeting the price-sensitive consumer market. The company will demonstrate the new SmartAMC chip this week at Intel Developer's Forum at the San Jose Convention Center.

SmartAMC combines industry standard AC'97 audio with V.90/V.92 dial-up modem connectivity, and provides a significantly lower-cost solution by eliminating the need for a separate audio codec. The new device supports seamless operation between audio and modem functions during concurrent use, eliminating all concurrency and compatibility issues. The SmartAMC also includes advanced audio and modem features including wake-on-ring, audio game enhancement support and full duplex echo-free speakerphone. For a further cost reduction, SmartAMC incorporates an on-chip headphone driver.

In addition, it is the first audio/modem codec to allow users to experience theater-quality sound while watching a DVD movie on their PC. SmartAMC incorporates the Sony Phillips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) that provides a digital audio output to home sound systems via S/PDIF (PCM or Dolby 5.1).

Conexant's SmartAMC supports AC-Link enabled Southbridge chipsets from Acer, Intel, Via and Sis, and Intel's current and next-generation I/O controller hub (ICH) standards. Conexant's audio/modem solution also supports both new AC-Link riser architectures, the Audio Communications Riser (ACR) and the Communication Network Riser (CNR), which offer plug-and-play operation and broadband connectivity. In addition, the SmartAMC supports the audio/modem mobile daughter card (MDC), and the mini-peripheral component interface (MiniPCI) form factor.

The SmartAMC solution incorporates Conexant's patented SmartDAA, or silicon data access arrangement (DAA) technology, which replaces the DAA portion of a modem or other communications device and connects the digital portion of the device to the telephone network. Previously, manufacturers developed their own DAA solutions using discrete components, or used optical DAA solutions, which have only been cost-effective for the U.S. market. In addition, silicon DAA technology reduces time-to-market for manufacturers because it eliminates the need for them to create and test multiple product versions for different countries.

Conexant's SmartAMC is shipping in volume now to major OEM customers worldwide. Priced at $8 in volume quantities of 10,000, the SmartAMC solution is available in a 48-pin thin quad flat pack (TQFP), and available with Silicon DAA in a 32-pin TQFP.