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STMicroelectronics Unveils Integrated DOCSIS Cable Modem Chip |
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Geneva, November 28, 2000 - STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM), one of the world's leading suppliers of advanced microelectronic components for digital consumer and communications products, today released details of a highly integrated cable modem chip aimed at the rapidly growing DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification, v1.1) cable modem market. The device, the STV0396, will integrate in a single chip a DOCSIS 1.0/1.1 compliant Physical Layer (PHY) supporting both upstream and downstream functions, a DOCSIS 1.0/1.1 Media Access Control Layer (MAC), a powerful 32-bit system microcontroller with integrated instruction and data caches, 8KBytes of embedded SRAM and a rich set of peripherals and integrated interface modules for the most popular cable modem to Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) connections. The MAC engine is the result of a joint technology cooperation with Scientific Atlanta, one of the world's leading suppliers of interactive digital set?top boxes, interactive networks and broadband access equipment. "The combination of integration level and performance makes the STV0396 single chip cable modem the most cost effective solution on the market, making it a key component in accelerating the rapid expansion of the market for broadband applications over hybrid fiber coax networks," said Christos Lagomichos, Group Vice-President and General Manager of ST's Consumer Broadband division. "ST plans to establish itself as a major supplier of solutions for DOCSIS cable modem enabled appliances by leveraging its significant semiconductor content in a cable modem product and using a strategy that combines a leapfrog in technology, world class manufacturing and distribution infrastructure, innovative hardware and software implementation techniques and key customer partnerships that it has developed in the consumer industry." The STV0396 is being implemented in an advanced 0.18 micron CMOS process and will be packaged in a 316 Plastic Ball Grid Array (PBGA) package. Engineering samples are targeted to be available in early Q1 '01 with production ramp planned in H2 '01. ST will also offer a complete DOCSIS 1.1 reference design (EVAL0396), which will include production quality software for a fully functional cable modem. On board USB, Ethernet and PCI connectors will enable cable modem manufacturers to rapidly build final product variants using the EVAL0396. A DOCSIS 1.1 cable modem with USB and Ethernet interfaces using as much ST semiconductor content as possible can be produced for less than $85 ready to ship. ST has already built a discrete?component based prototype cable modem implementation that has been used to validate DOCSIS MAC functionality and all of the cable modem software. Prior to availability of the final STV0396 silicon, the prototype platform has been used to develop tests and achieve maximum coverage against the conformance checklist used by CableLabs to certify vendor cable modems. This early test development approach will reduce customer's time-to-market by accelerating the STV0396 validation cycle. In addition, ST has participated in CableLabs sponsored interoperability events and other industry initiatives to ensure interoperability with multiple DOCSIS cable modem head-ends and clients devices. According to the publication Kinetic Strategies (November 1999), the North American market for standards?based cable modem products is expected to grow to 15.9 million installed cable modem customers by year?end 2003. The DOCSIS network coverage is expected to reach 84% of homes passed. About STMicroelectronics STMicroelectronics (formerly SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics) is a global independent semiconductor company, whose shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on the Paris Bourse and on the Milan Stock Exchange. The Company designs, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) and discrete devices used in a wide variety of microelectronic applications, including telecommunications systems, computer systems, consumer products, automotive products and industrial automation and control systems. In 1999, the Company's net revenues were $5,056 million and net earnings were $547 million. ST's net revenues for the first nine months of 2000 were $5,621.5 million and net income amounted to $990.2 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com. |
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