New Motherboard Riser Specification Offers Lower Cost Network, Audio and Modem Solutions for PC Manufacturers - CNR Specification - Company Business and Marketing

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, Feb 14, 2000

Intel Corporation Monday announced a new riser card and interface specification for ATX family motherboards, intended to reduce the cost to OEMs of implementing LAN, home networking, audio and modem subsystems widely used in today's "Connected PCs" for e-home applications. The Communication and Networking Riser (CNR) Specification is an open industry specification and defines a scalable motherboard riser card and interface that support the audio, modem, and network interfaces of core logic chipsets.

"Native networking as a part of every PC is a key element of our e-home strategy," said Pat Gelsinger, vice president and general manager of Intel's Desktop Products Group. "The CNR Specification gives OEMs greater flexibility in platform design and more options in reconciling PC connectivity features with international certification processes and manufacturer-specific requirements."

In addition, the CNR Specification can minimize the potential for electrical noise interference by calling for the physical separation of noise-sensitive sound and communication systems from the motherboard.

Riser Solution Lowers Costs The CNR Specification defines a new riser solution for ATX, microATX, and FlexATX motherboards and offers system manufacturers a lower implementation cost for network, audio and modem subsystems made possible by using industry-standard expansion slots or proprietary methods. The solution enables system manufacturers and integrators to configure a number of acceleration options through the baseline CNR interface.

The specification provides interfaces to support multichannel audio, V.90 analog modem, telephone line-based home networking, and 10/100 Ethernet-based networking, as well as expandability for future technologies. The specification defines the CNR architecture for both standard and low-profile risers and includes electrical, mechanical, and thermal requirements of the riser interface. CNR solutions are intended for implementation by manufacturers prior to system shipment. For more information, visit http://www.developer.intel.com. To download the CNR Specification, go to http://developer.intel.com/technology/cnr.> Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking, and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com.