Wave Issue 9038 4/8/99 Article 6-01

***Smart Link Ships HAMR5600: V.90 AMR/MDC Host Modem Driver for
Via Chipsets
(March 31)

Smart Link Technologies is shipping the HAMR5600 (pronounced
“hammer 5600”), a host modem driver solution. Offering platform
support for VIA’s Apollo series motherboard chipsets, the
HAMR5600 V.90 host based modem is optimized for the Audio Modem
Riser (AMR) and Mobile Daughter Card (MDC) specifications, and is
based on Smart Link’s proven host modem technology already
deployed in ISA, PCI and USB platforms.

The HAMR5600 solution enables modem designs at a lower cost than
currently available alternatives. Modems based on this technology
will be offered by modem and motherboard manufacturers for
bundling into low-cost consumer PCs. For system integrators and
PC OEMs, HAMR5600 enabled AMR and MDC cards will offer V.90 modem
technology, at an entry-level price.

AMR and MDC are industry standard form factors for soft modem and
audio subsystems in desktop and notebook computers. Promoted by
Intel, and recently adopted by the PC industry, these form
factors and specifications are aimed at reducing the cost and
improving functionality in sub-$500 desktop, and sub-$1000
notebook PC designs. A wave of innovative OEM modem and audio
solutions is expected to follow these standards.

Key features of the HAMR5600 include: V.90 modem, Group 3 fax,
voice and telephony. This solution can be certified worldwide
through the use of a programmable silicon DAA that supports FCC,
CTR21 and JATE standards. The HAMR5600 driver also automatically
detects and adjusts the modem operation to the system chipset
present on the motherboard. It currently supports VIA and Intel
chip sets, and soon will support others.

Built on Smart Link’s soft modem technology, which moves modem,
fax and telephony functions previously performed by a DSP to the
host processor, the HAMR5600 is designed to run on existing
Pentium class processors from Intel, AMD, and Cyrix. Since it is
a host-based modem platform, the HAMR5600 also provides full
software upgradability to future standards, and protects system
OEMs’ investment.

The HAMR5600 software modem driver will ship on March 31, 1999.
The pricing is set at $7/each in quantities of 10,000. For
production in higher quantities, volume discounts will apply. A
reference design kit for modem designers is also available from
Smart Link at a cost of $500.

www.smlink.com