National Announces 4 Mbps Fast Infrared Controller With TV Remote Capabilities.SANTA CLARA Santa Clara, city, Cuba Santa Clara (sän`tä klä`rä), city (1994 est. pop. 217,000), capital of Villa Clara prov., central Cuba. , Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 1995--National Semiconductor today announced sampling of the industry's first 4 Mbps high-speed infrared (IR) serial interface controller for personal computers. The PC87108VJE IR controller offers compatibility with the IrDA 1.0 standard and the high-speed extensions to the IrDA standard, as well as specifications for TV remote control IR and Sharp DASK-IR. It is the first member of a family of Fast IR/TV remote devices. Extensive Range of Applications This broad compatibility range gives personal computer designers and end users many cable-less choices for exchanging files among laptop, notebook, personal digital assistance (PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) A handheld computer for managing contacts, appointments and tasks. It typically includes a name and address database, calendar, to-do list and note taker, which are the functions in a personal information manager (see PIM). ), and desktop computers; sending data to peripherals such as printers, modems, and game controllers; connecting to network nodes; moving data to and from calculators; and controlling televisions, VCRs, and related equipment. To move files between PC87108VJE-equipped notebook and desktop computers, for example, the user simply places the notebook computer A laptop computer that weighs in a range from five to seven pounds. The term originated when laptops were routinely more than 10 pounds, and those that became lighter were placed in a special "notebook" category. In practice, notebook computer and laptop computer are synonymous. in front of the desktop system and begins the transfer. Developers of the IR standards also envision walk-up fax machines and printers in locations such as airports and hotels, where laptop computer users can take advantage of these peripherals without using cables. Bank ATMs can incorporate the IR interface, too. "Standarized IR interfacing opens up a new world of easy data exchange," noted Jerry Worthylake, product marketing manager for IR products at National Semiconductor. "Whether you want to pass files between an electronic organizer See PDA. and a desktop PC or use a universal remote to control a Power Point presentation on a PC, IR is the way to go. The PC87108VJE offers the industry's most complete set of IR capabilities, and this is the first in a family of IR devices that National will introduce." PC87108VJE Functions The National Semiconductor PC87108VJE replaces or adds an additional UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) The electronic circuit that makes up the serial port. Also known as "universal serial asynchronous receiver transmitter" (USART), it converts parallel bytes from the CPU into serial bits for transmission, and vice in a PC or other system, and is an enhanced 16550 UART. On the system side of the controller, the PC87108VJE provides an ISA bus ISA bus - Industry Standard Architecture interface and complete support for PC'95 features, including a choice of seven interrupts and three DMA (1) (Digital Media Adapter) See digital media hub. (2) (Document Management Alliance) A specification that provides a common interface for accessing and searching document databases. channels. The ISA (1) (Instruction Set Architecture) See instruction set. (2) (Interactive Services Association) See Internet Alliance. (3) (Internet Security and Acceleration) See .NET. interface furnishes full 16-bit address decoding, a selection of all primary and secondary ISA UART addresses (COM (1) (Computer Output Microfilm) Creating microfilm or microfiche from the computer. A COM machine receives print-image output from the computer either online or via tape or disk and creates a film image of each page. 1 + 4), selectable base address, and an optional chip-select mode that allows the PC87108VJE to be used as a peripheral. The PC87108VJE also includes a 16550-compatible serial port that allows it to be used as a traditional UART. On the IR side, the PC87108VJE implements four IR functional blocks: An IrDA 1.0 block offers 115.2 Kbps rates. Two blocks implement the high-speed extensions to the 1.0 specification that enable 1.152 and 4.0 Mbps rates. And a block with Sharp DASK DaSK Danish Vintage Gliding Club (aviation) DASK Differentially-Encoded Amplitude-Shift Keying (Digital implementation for Amplitude Shift Keying) compatible functions enables interoperability with the analog IR interfaces used in some first-generation PDAs and electronic organizers. The PC87108VJE can be configured via software to connect any of these IR functional blocks to the Chip's IR interface. IrDA Standards The main IR standards implemented in the PC87108VJE come from the Infrared Data Association See IrDA. (standard, body) Infrared Data Association - (IrDA) A non-profit trade association providing standards to ensure the quality and interoperability of infrared (IR) hardware. (IrDA). National Semiconductor is among the many leading firms in computers, communications, peripherals, and ICs that participate in creating IrDA standards. The IrDA 1.0 standard enables data exchanges at the highest rates now possible from high-speed PC serial ports. A number of IrDA 1.0 compatible systems and peripherals have already been introduced. The high-speed extensions to the IrDA standard boost the data rate far beyond normal PC serial port levels. The PC87108VJE's DMA capabilities make it practical for a system to support the higher IR data rates, sometimes referred to as FIR (fast IR). Price and Availability The PC87108VJE IR controllers are sampling now, priced at $10 each in 1,000 piece quantities. Production is planned for the first quarter of 1996. The device comes in an 80-pin plastic quad flatpack (PQFP (Plastic Quad Flat Package) Refers to many varieties of QFP chip packages, which are molded in plastic. See QFP. ) package. For additional information, contact National Semiconductor's Customer Support Center at 800/272-9959. National Semiconductor Corporation designs, develops and markets semiconductor Technologies for Moving and Shaping Information. The company focuses on strategic markets within the communications, personal systems, industrial and consumer markets. National Semiconductor is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and has 22,400 employees worldwide. In fiscal 1995, the company reported sales of $2.4 billion and achieved the highest earnings in its history. -0- Note to Editors: Reader Information: Customer Response Group 800/272-9959. CONTACT: National Semiconductor Cheryl Patstone, 408/721-2879 or The Hoffman Agency Joe Fowler, 408/286-2611 |
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