LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES INTROS TINY MODEM CHIP SET FOR HIGH-SPEED DATA.

Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) Microelectronics Group, has 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.

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.

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.

The chip set functions in the vast majority of operating systems including WinCE, Linux, and VxWorks, thereby making it useable in a wide variety of devices or appliances.