U.S. Robotics, TI join on x2/DSL hybrid modem

U.S. Robotics and Texas Instruments plan to deliver a family of affordable and upgradeable "hybrid" modems supporting U.S. Robotics' x2 56-Kbps analog dial-up access and rate-adaptive Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL).

The x2/DSL™ product family will run on TI's leading TMS320C6x digital signal processing (DSP) platform. Capable of processing 1.6 billion instructions per second, the 'C6x has the processing power to implement the x2/DSL. U.S. Robotics plans to introduce x2/DSL modems in the first half of 1998.

U.S. Robotics' Advanced Development Group will develop DSP software for x2/DSL and incorporate DMT algorithms for ADSL modulation recently licensed from Aware, Inc. as well as x2 56K algorithms developed by U.S. Robotics. USR will provide downloadable software upgrades for these modems, a crucial capability as 56K and ADSL standards are still evolving.

Craig Mundie, senior VP of the Consumer Platforms Division at Microsoft Corporation, said, "Delivering the Internet, data services and connectivity through the Public Network infrastructure is a major challenge. Microsoft is working with various hardware and software partners to deliver an end-to-end solution enabling Public Network Operators to offer these services through the Public Networks infrastructure. ADSL running over the existing telephony network is a key piece of the solution. U.S. Robotics' unique approach to combining 56 kilobit analog and ADSL into a single modem will make the transition easier and help realize our common vision."

Because the current generation of ADSL modems are not interoperable, telecom service providers have been responsible for provisioning specific modems to users for ADSL trials. The combination of TI's programmable 'C6x and U.S. Robotics software and modem position will let providers rely on broad retail distribution for modems that are standards compliant and adaptable.

With the introduction of x2/DSL, customers will have the freedom to choose when to upgrade to xDSL without having to throw away their investment in their modem or applications.

x2/DSL is a trademark of U.S. Robotics Corporation.

ADSL at a glance

ADSL enables downloading a file in 5 seconds instead of 10 minutes
You can talk on the phone while surfing the Internet using existing phone lines
The ADSL market is projected to grow 75 percent to $4.5 billion in sales by 1997.
TI will provide affordable, extensible end-to-end remote access solutions, using leadership DSPs, networking silicon and mixed-signal products

x2 at a glance

U.S. Robotics x2 technology is the world's most widely used 56 Kbps technology today

TI's industry leading DSP Solutions was first to market with 33.6 Kbps and 56 Kbps

Software-based architecture of TI's TMS320x2 allows easy upgrades

More than 6 million x2-ready modems deployed

Recent tests show x2 connecting at speeds twice as fast as V.34

More than 700 Internet Service Providers committed to x2 technology, representing more than 18 million Internet subscribers

Packard Bell NEC computers with x2 modems are in stores now