SoC Cuts Costs For Inkjet Fax Machines

Feb. 2, 2004

The PI-301 single-chip controller trims the cost of electronic subsystems in inkjet fax machines by 30% to 50% by replacing an assortment of controllers and memory components. This Agere Systems system-on-a-chip (SoC) combines as many as eight separate ICs while offering exceptional image quality, print features, and cost savings. It supports existing thermal fax designs and helps with the move to monochrome inkjet fax solutions for consumer and small-office applications.

All of the chip's I/O functions are programmable, giving manufacturers the flexibility of configuring I/O to support different print mechanisms and inkjet cartridge systems. With these design elements, fax developers can easily add features and customize their products. Engineering samples of the PI-301 will be available this quarter, with volume production in the second quarter. In sample lots, the chip costs less than $10 each.

Agere Systemswww.agere.com (800) 372-2447

About the Author

Dave Bursky

Technologist

Dave Bursky, the founder of New Ideas in Communications, a publication website featuring the blog column Chipnastics – the Art and Science of Chip Design. He is also president of PRN Engineering, a technical writing and market consulting company. Prior to these organizations, he spent about a dozen years as a contributing editor to Chip Design magazine. Concurrent with Chip Design, he was also the technical editorial manager at Maxim Integrated Products, and prior to Maxim, Dave spent over 35 years working as an engineer for the U.S. Army Electronics Command and an editor with Electronic Design Magazine.