Allentown, PA — (press release) — Lucent Technologies Microelectronics Group today introduced an exceptionally small, low-power chip set that equips Internet appliances, set-top boxes, multi-function peripherals, fax machines, and electronic games with both fax and data services, such as the capability to download text, audio, and graphics at up to 56 kilobits per second (Kbit/s).

The chip set consists of a digital signal processor (DSP) chip and a codec chip. The extremely small size of each — slightly smaller than a thumbtack (approximately three-eighths of an inch on each side) — lowers electronics costs and circuit board space needed for embedded modem applications, which include many devices beyond traditional PCs and retail “standalone” modems that can be enhanced with higher-speed Internet connections.

The chip set supports embedded Linux as well as several other embedded operating systems, thereby making it useable in a wide variety of devices or appliances.

In addition to its small size, each chip consumes only 150 milliwatts of power at 3.3 volts-nearly half that of chips typically used in embedded modem applications. This contributes to better overall system performance and lower operating costs. The chip set can also operate using batteries at a voltage level as low as 2.7 volts. The chip set does not require external memory chip technology, which reduces electronics costs.

“This is the smallest, lowest power-consuming modem chip set from a major manufacturer, amounting to a cost and performance breakthrough for Lucent in the rapidly growing embedded modem market,” said Will Strauss, an analyst with Arizona-based Forward Concepts, a DSP market research firm.

Complementing the chip set's small size and low power consumption are the wide variety of services it can enable. The services are enabled using four different versions of the DSP part of the chip set. The DP2V90DX version supports V.90 (56 Kbit/s) data and V.34 (up to 33.6 Kbit/s) data rates, as well as V.34 fax rates; the DP2V34X supports V.34 data and V.34 fax; the DP2V34X supports V.34 fax; and the DP2V32DX supports V.32 data and V.17 (up to 14.4 Kbit/s) fax.

Such fax and data features are not typically offered within an embedded modem chip set. Lucent's DP2V90DX chip set is also upgradable to the emerging V.92 analog modem standard, which enables faster Internet data transmission speeds and faster connection times compared with V.90 modem technology. The chip set also supports additional applications such as voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), handset/speakerphones, telephone answering machine, and caller ID.

“As more people want reliable Internet connectivity in more places and in more electronic devices, they are still going to need analog modem technology,” said Bill Garvis, manager of embedded modem products with Lucent's Microelectronics Group. “Analog modem communication remains one of the few widely available mediums, which is why the embedded modem market is so important. And this chip set, with its operating system versatility, low power, and small size, squarely addresses this trend.”

Lucent's chip set is currently sampling and is expected to be available in production quantities in September. In quantities of 10,000, the chip set versions range in price from $8 to $13.

 
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