ATM PCI Chip Powers Fast DSL Access Devices

The firm's second-generation Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) PCI chip, known as Lithium, integrates many common interface functions for low-cost, high-functionality, mass-market customer premises equipment for powering high-speed DSL Internet access devices. The chip uses a dual-processor system, using one processor for cell/frame processing and the other for higher-layer protocols, PHY management and PC interface control. The architecture avoids placing an unnecessary burden on the host PC's CPU and increases overall system performance by up to five times, it's claimed.The chip's interfaces include Utopia I and 2, T1.413 and PHY management interfaces, enabling it to be easily combined with an ADSL or G.Lite PHY device as well as a PCI connection.