Hitachi SuperH Software Modem Eliminates Need for Separate Modem Hardware Cutting Embedded System Cost - Hitachi Semiconductor - Product Announcement

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, April 17, 2000

Hitachi Semiconductor (America) Inc. Monday announced the availability of software modem functions running on its SuperH digital signal processing (DSP) RISC microprocessors, the SH3-DSP and SH-4 devices, for cost-sensitive embedded systems applications. The ability to run fax and data modem functions in software on the same processor currently being used for other system tasks enhances the total system functionality while reducing the total system bill-of-material (BOM) cost. Where fax/modem functions were implemented as dedicated hardware, the SuperH Software Modem now provides this capability in software, eliminating dedicated modem hardware costs for a datapump and a controller. In addition, less hardware brings other benefits such as less board space and power consumption for the overall system. Since the processors are capable of running multiple channels of the fax/modem software simultaneously, the cost savings are scalable, unlike hardware implementations.

"Hitachi is excited to offer the software version of data and fax communication solutions to system designers as an option from traditional hardware modems that can easily cost twice as much or more," said Abhi Dugar, marketing manager for Hitachi Semiconductor (America).

"The SuperH Software Modem lowers total system cost for designers and ultimately for the end-user by eliminating multiple components from current hardware implementation, potentially taking advantage of any unused CPU processing capability, and thereby resulting in a more efficient system design."

By adding modem capabilities onto the SH3-DSP and SH-4 processors, Hitachi is not only able to reduce the cost but also provide flexibility in the system implementation since the software is reconfigurable and not a fixed implementation. Target applications include embedded systems that require one or more channels of data and/or fax communication, in addition to other tasks, all running on a single processor such as handheld devices for Internet access, postage meters, remote cameras and home appliances.

Besides networking and data communication applications such as residential gateways, fax-over-Internet-Protocol (FoIP), and routers for small-office-home-office (SOHO) environments, any application that requires data acquisition or transmission will benefit from this offering, such as computing or industrial applications. Applications that need Internet connection but do not require a high-speed digital subscriber line (DSL) or cable modem connection are ideal targets. In addition, before DSL and cable modem services are widely available, the SuperH Software Modem provides an interim solution for Internet access.

ITU Standards and Tool Support The SuperH Software Modem software technology was jointly developed with and provided under license from the elemedia division of Lucent Technologies, Inc. The data and fax modem kernel running on Hitachi's SH3-DSP and SH-4 processors is licensed from the elemedia division of Lucent Technologies and is also compliant with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) V.xx standards, including V.90, V.34 and V.17.

To pass compliance tests in foreign countries so that the soft modem can be hooked into telephone systems worldwide, Hitachi is performing homologation testing on its reference platforms to ensure that the modem will pass individual country regulations.

V.34 and V.17 standards running on the SH3-DSP are available now. V.90 standard running on the SH-4 and SH3-DSP, along with reference platforms, will be released during the second and third quarters of 2000. The software is currently supported on Wind River Systems' Tornado suite of tools, and ATI's Nucleus operating system will be supported in the second quarter of 2000.

Hitachi Semiconductor (America ) Inc. a subsidiary of Hitachi America, Ltd., in turn a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT) supports the requirements of the North America market with a broad range of standard and low-power semiconductor solutions. Offering some of the industry's most popular RISC microprocessors and memory components among other semiconductor solutions, Hitachi provides chips to the world's leading device manufacturers within industrial, consumer and emerging market applications. Hitachi's substantial design engineering, research and development facilities in the United States help bring the world's best technology to U.S. customers.