CENTILLIUM DELIVERS
PLUG-AND-PLAY ADSL MODEM CHIPSET SOLUTIONS FOR GLOBAL CONSUMERS
Centillium Optimizer
Chipset Delivers Highly-Integrated ADSL G.lite Modem Solutions for PCI
Interface Including Universal DSL Chipset that Supports Japan and Rest
of World
FREMONT,
Calif., November 15, 1999 - Centillium
Communications, Inc. today announced two new additions to the Optimizer™
chipset family of broadband-modem solutions for Customer Premises Equipment
(CPE), the Optimizer for PCI and the Universal Optimizer for PCI. Both
versions of this chipset support the Peripheral Component Interconnect
(PCI) Local Bus interface, enabling consumers to economically connect
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modems to personal computers for high-speed
access to the Internet. The Universal Optimizer for PCI combines all
of the features of the standard version with additional support for
the requirements of the Japanese market, making the Optimizer the only
proven and deployed solution that supports both Japan and the rest of
world on a single platform.
The Centillium Optimizer chipset family is based on third-generation
patented technology and delivers a complete ADSL G.lite (G.992.2) modem
with just two chips, significantly reducing the form factor, power usage,
component count, and cost normally associated with broadband access
devices. Target market segments for PCI-based ADSL G.lite modems include
configure-to-order PC OEMs and the consumer PC add-on market. End users
include small office/home office (SOHO) professionals, after-hours workers,
and consumers who want to improve their Internet experience. End users
experience connection speeds that are equivalent to a corporate network,
enabling fast uploads and downloads of files such as large email attachments,
MP3 files, and digital video clips.
The Centillium Universal Optimizer for PCI is part of Centillium's family
of Universal DSL™ products, chipsets that also support Annex C
of the ADSL G.lite standard. Annex C addresses the unique characteristics
of copper loop plants in Japan that require different technology than
loops in the United States (Annex A). By integrating Annex C support,
Centillium provides modem manufacturers with enormous flexibility, enabling
them to design a modem solution for both Japan and the rest of the world.
Centillium's flexible hardware platform allows end users to use a single
ADSL G.lite modem anywhere around the globe.
"With this announcement, Centillium continues to drive the Internet
revolution into the homes of consumers around the world," said
Dori Braun, director of marketing for CPE products, Centillium Communications.
"Consumer demand for bandwidth-intensive applications is skyrocketing,
but bandwidth restrictions limit functionality and prevent consumers
from experiencing services they want. Applications such as MP3, digital
video clips, and teleconferencing are all deliverable with the consumer-deployable
G.Lite technology. A PCI solution based upon Centillium's Optimizer
chipset offers an inexpensive plug-and-play solution for virtually every
PC connecting to the Internet - the ideal answer for consumers who are
demanding solutions for bandwidth-hungry applications."
"Centillium now offers a complete portfolio of consumer desktop
solutions for G.lite modem manufacturers and PC OEMs," said Faraj
Aalaei, co-founder and vice president of marketing for Centillium Communications.
"Since the G.lite standard is designed to promote interoperability
and the PCI interface has been built into every desktop computer since
1994, consumers and PC OEMs can install modems based on the Optimizer
chipset with confidence. In anticipation of the worldwide consumer demand
for PCI-based DSL modems, several leading manufacturers - including
Askey, CIS, Digicom Systems, and GVC - are already planning to develop
ADSL G.lite modems with PCI Local Bus interfaces based on these new
Optimizer chipsets."
Centillium Optimizer
Chipset with PCI Local Bus Interface
The Centillium
Optimizer chipset is the industry's most integrated high-performance
chipset family for ADSL G.lite modems. It provides end users with high-bandwidth
Internet access at speeds of
1.5 Mbps downstream and 512 kbps upstream over 'Plain Old Telephone
Service' (POTS) - or up to 27 times faster than conventional 56 kbps
analog modems. By integrating a PCI Local Bus interface, the Centillium
Optimizer chipset eliminates the need for additional hardware and makes
the chipset an ideal solution for the desktop PC market where low price
and high performance are required.
The Optimizer chipset reduces DSL modem system costs by approximately
25% through device integration. This integration also reduces system
power consumption and form factor. The chipset leverages Centillium's
patent-pending DSP technology to integrate a PCI Local Bus interface
into a single chip, eliminating costly external FPGAs, bus controller
devices, hardware SARs, and associated memory.
Support for multiple communications devices is integrated directly into
the Optimizer chipset, making it an optimal small business solution.
An AC-Link interface supports soft V.90 analog modems, while an ISA
interface supports external devices such as controllerless modems and
Ethernet MACs. This feature provides end users with extra reliability
for connecting to the Internet as well as the ability to receive faxes
while connected to the Internet. The V.90 analog modem and ADSL G.lite
modem can operate concurrently with automatic support for either mode.
By contrast, other chipsets require that users throw a switch on the
board to transition from V.90 to ADSL. The Centillium Optimizer also
eliminates the need for a PCI bridge, an additional savings in this
extremely cost-sensitive platform.
Software stacks support classic IP/ATM, RFC1483, and PPP/ATM protocols.
The SAR function is supported via host processing at only 2% of CPU
utilization (400 MHz Pentium), further reducing the overall cost of
the solution. Since the modem does not depend on the host CPU to manage
its operation, there is no deterioration in PC performance. The Optimizer
for PCI operates in the Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition,
Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 (when available) environments.
The Optimizer chipset family also supports the Universal Serial Bus
(USB) interface that features instant plug-and-play configuration and
a built-in power source for the modem. Additionally, Centillium offers
a complete line of Universal DSL solutions that support Annex A and
Annex C including CPE chipsets for Ethernet, USB, and chipsets for the
central office (CO).
Ordering information for Centillium CPE products are as follows:
| Interface |
Product
Number |
Application |
| USB |
CT-L22SU15 |
PC solution for notebooks and desktops |
|
| Universal USB |
CT-L42SU15 |
Global PC solution for worldwide markets |
|
| Ethernet |
CT-L21ST01 |
Router applications |
|
| Universal Ethernet |
CT-L41ST01 |
Router applications for worldwide markets |
|
| PCI |
CT-L22SP15 |
PC solution for legacy and new systems |
|
| Universal PCI |
CT-L42SP15 |
Global PC solution for worldwide markets |
Product Availability
The Centillium
Optimizer for PCI (CT-L22SP15) and the Universal Optimizer for PCI with
Annex A and Annex C support (CT-L42SP15) are available immediately in
OEM quantities. For sales information, contact Dori Braun at (510) 771-3417
or by email to [email protected].
About Centillium
Communications
Centillium
Communications, Inc. is a communication solutions company dedicated
to delivering high-speed Internet access to meet the increasing bandwidth
requirements of businesses and consumers. The company designs and markets
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) chipset solutions for central office equipment,
DLC line cards, and customer premises equipment. Centillium's chipset
family is the industry's highest port density, lowest power dissipation
solution available to networking equipment manufacturers today. Centillium
Communications, Inc. is located at 47211 Lakeview Blvd., Fremont, CA
94538. Additional information is available at http://www.centillium.com.
# # #
©1999 Centillium Communications, Inc. CopperLite is a trademark
of Centillium Communications, Inc. All other products or service names
mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.
