Atmel selects Conexant’s soft modems for new devices in ARM9-based MCU family

NEWPORT BEACH, USA: Conexant Systems, Inc., a leading supplier of innovative semiconductor solutions for imaging, audio, embedded modem, and video surveillance applications, announced that its soft modem technology has been integrated into new devices in Atmel Corp.’s SAM9 ARM926-based family of microcontrollers (MCUs).

Atmel, a leader in microcontroller and touch technology solutions, has incorporated Conexant’s System Side Device (SSD) to allow a Conexant modem driver to run on the MCU, and provides the physical interface to Conexant’s field proven, market leading, fourth generation silicon DAA.

“Conexant pioneered the soft modem for the PC industry, and our partnership enables us to provide higher-level system integration, worldwide compliance and certified modem solutions for all the different embedded markets that our MPUs will serve,” said Jacko Wilbrink, marketing director of ARM products, Atmel.

The new Atmel SAM9 devices, such as the SAM9G15, SAM9G25, SAM9G35, SAM9X25 and SAM9X35, combined with Conexant’s CX20548 SmartDAA® and firmware provides a cost-effective solution for modem implementations in applications that require data communication. These applications include Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals, industrial and building control systems, HVAC, printers and medical devices, smart grid with data concentrators, human machine interfaces (HMI) and machine-to-machine (M2M) interfaces.

“Conexant’s line of software modem solutions are proven, reliable products with cumulative shipments exceeding 600 million units to over 60 countries worldwide – they have been built with the needs of our customers around the globe in mind,” noted Sailesh Chittipeddi, Ph.D., Conexant president and chief executive officer. “Our proprietary SmartDAA technology allows worldwide compliance with a single design.”

Key benefits of Conexant’s soft modem solutions include:

* Vertically integrated software modem function that mitigates integration risk.
* Royalty-free software package included with purchase of Conexant’s CX20548 SmartDAA 4 Line Side Device.
* Streamlined interface to Conexant’s fourth generation SmartDAA.
* Saves the cost of an external modem chip in addition to the DAA.