Semiconductors can be classified into four broad product areas: analog and mixed signal devices, logic chips, memory chips, and microcomponents. Analog and mixed-signal devices are used for a broad array applications, including digital signal processing (DSP), media processing, optical technology, computer-telephony, and flap-panel displays. A wide assortment of logic devices accounts for another major part of the semiconductor market. In recent years, memory chips have accounted for about one-third of the semiconductor market. Another one-quarter of the market is microcomponents, which includes microprocessors, microcontrollers, and microperipherals.
Analog and mixed-signal devices include:
Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) are high-speed chips that handle analog audio and video signals such as speech, wireless sound waves, and broadcast television. Analog-to-digital converters transform the sound or light wave into data. Digital-to-analog converters transform the datastream to audio or light waves that can be heard or seen. Consumer products that contain DSP chips include cellular phones, digital cameras, pagers, electronic organizers, personal data assistants (PDAs), televisions, VCRs, fax machines, modulators/demodulators (MODEMs), video games, and set-top Internet appliances. PCs use DSPs for multimedia processing, computer-telephony, and data transfer. Networking equipment and remote access servers (RASs) use DSPs to improve throughput. DSPs are also used for avionics, navigation/radar/sonar, medical imaging, data acquisition/test equipment, and automation/control equipment.
Like other chips, DSPs are shrinking and receiving the benefits of improved speed, lower voltage, and consolidated function. Texas Instruments's 1997-introduced TMS320C6201 utilizes 5-layer 0.25-micron technology (0.18 micron in the future). It operates at 2.5V. The core processor runs at 200-MHz with a peek speed of 1,600 MIPs. The on-chip also contains program cache memory, 0.5 Mb of data RAM, an external memory interface, a host port, 2-channel direct memory access (DMA), two Multi-Channel Buffered Serial Ports (MCBSPs), two 32-bit timers, an oscillator, and power-management circuitry. The Very Long Instruction Word (VLIW) architecture routes 8-, 16-, and 32-bit data down two 32-bit buses to 4 arithmetic logic units (ALUs) to perform RISC-like processing. TI recommends programming be performed using their C-language compiler. This and other DSP processors combine the features of traditional signal processors and high-performance microprocessors.
MODEM technology is transitioning from 33 thousand bits per second (Kbps) transfer-rate technology to 56K technology. Going into 1998, two standards prevail - K56flex, developed by Bell Labs, and X2, from US Robotics. In early 1998, the ITU standards organization is expected to define a new standard to be called V.pcm. After acceptance of the new standard, both older formats become legacy technology that must be supported by all new standards.
Another new development in MODEM technology is the emergence of pooled MODEMs for remote access server (RAS) equipment. Remote access servers are computer systems used by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to control user log-on/log-off activity. Traditionally one MODEM was required for one user connection. To meet growing requirements, multiple MODEM ports were housed in one device (box). Additional capacity was still required. Pooled MODEMS are single DSPs handling multiple ports (MODEM sessions). The lower voltages of the smaller chip sizes also addresses system (port) heat issues.
A new class of specialized microprocessors, known as media processors, have been developed for use in PCs and consumer electronics devices such as Internet appliance set-top boxes, DVD players, and videogames. They offload audio and video functions from the main system microprocessor. Media processors have their own operating systems, which must work in cooperation with the operating system controlling the main microprocessor. In 1997, Intel announced its Advanced Graphics Port (AGP) set as an alternative the PCI bus as the interface that connect the media processor with the system CPU.
A wide variety of media solutions is emerging at a rapid pace. Price varies with the manufacturers choice of functionality and on- or off-chip resources, including: microprocessor speed and type, integer/floating-point processing, cache memory, a bus interface, and embedded DRAM/SRAM/VRAM/SGRAM. A 1997 announcement includes embedded MMX extensions, allowing multimedia functions to be processed on either the graphics card or the main CPU. Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) processing, which was previously used for high-end workstations and servers, is moving into the media area.
Designers also select from a range of standards and protocols, including: geometric (2D/3D) rendering and accelerators, video compression, MPEG-1/MPEG-2 video, texture and shading mapping, gamma correction (for video/graphics display). In 1997, Microsoft, Progressive Networks Inc., Intel Corp., Adobe Systems Inc., and Vivo Software Inc. announced an "advanced streaming format" in a move to standardize the way large multimedia presentations are sent over low-speed network connections.
Like other microprocessors, media processors achieve benefits from miniaturization and the consolidation of resources. For example, a 16 x 16 video crosspoint switch announced in 1997 enables the routing of 16 video channels while requiring only 0.4 sq. in. of space, rather than the 3.8 sq. in. or 14.4 sq. in. of previous solutions.
Optical technology can be divided into two main categories, beam technology and non-linear optics. Beam technology is a primary element of 4.75-inch removable compact disk (CD) optical storage devices. As of 1997, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM) devices utilize a laser to read data at speeds of up to 24X (3.6 Mbps). A control board has been announced which is expected to support speeds up to 50X (7.5 Mbps). CD Recorders (CD-Rs) currently write at speeds up to 6X (0.9 Mbps). CDs store up to 680 MB of data. In contrast, the NORSAM HD-ROMTM and the Pancake DiskTM, announced during 1997, are expected to store 650 gigabytes (GB) on a 2-inch removable disk, 1000 times the amount of data on current media. Data-read rates were announced as 30 Mbps to 50M bps with a current write rate of 2 Mbps. A write speed of 10 Mbps expected in 1999. These speeds are achieved by focusing an ion beam to permanently etch data into discs made of stainless steel, silicon, and other durable metals. Yet, the disks are nonmagnetic, can withstand fire, and are expected to last thousands of years without any type of storage or maintenance requirements. These characteristics make the new disks likely to replace current long-term storage media, like microfilm. Data that is downloaded from the disk can be output to conventional CDs, paper (printed), and floppy disks. Commercial availability is planned for late 1999 or early 2000.
Also new in 1997 is England's Bookham Technology's ASOCTM (Active Silicon Integrated Optical Circuit) WDM Transceiver. The transceiver is designed for use in point-to-point and passive bi-directional fibre-optics networks. Production of the device uses CMOS technology to create a photonic circuit.
Nonlinear optics are may be used to control light using electrical signals or another lightwave. Fiber-optic cables can theoretically carry 250,000 times more information than a copper wire for telecommunications. Practically, however, optical fiber reaches less than 1 percent of its theoretical bandwidth. Waveguide materials are used to form optical switches which act as gates to turn light on or off to form binary bits of 1 or 0. Lithium niobate over silicon is commercially available today. It is used in conjunction with a continuous laser to achieve a transmission rate from 1 to 10 gigahertz Barium titanate is an optically-clear ceramic film under development at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The barium titanate design has tested at 1000 gigahertz.
The telecommunications industry is preparing for the improved performance of optical technology. The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) has 190 registered voters (the largest number ever) in its committee to develop standard 802.3. One-hundred and thirteen vendors have formed the Gigabit Ethernet Alliance or promote the development of Gigabit Ethernet products and standards.
While the telecommunications industry may be the first to utilize optical technology, the high speed and bandwidth of optical waveguides are expected to be embraced by the microprocessor industry. High-speed processors that use electrical fields may be the technology that replaces CMOS-based computers.
Computer-Telephony (C-T) is the computerized processing of voice, fax, data, text-to-speech, speech recognition, and video in conjunction with telephone technology. C-T products are available from a wide variety of vendors. Solutions are mainly proprietary bundles of hardware with software (firmware). However, in 1997, the Media Stream Processor (MSP) interface specification was introduced by a consortium of seven C-T vendors. Their goal is to decouple hardware and software and develop open standards. One result is expected to be the cost-effective consolidation of functions on a single board, such as Internet connectivity and integrated streaming media.
Flat-Panel displays (FPDs) are the thin replacement for the cathode-ray tubes (CRTs) used as computer-monitor and television screens. The compelling motivation for developing FPDs is the emergence of high-definition television (HDTV) and digital broadcasting, which expected to begin in Fall, 1998. The 50-inch diagonal screen required by current HDTV standards would require a CRT that would be nearly 3 ft. deep and would weigh more than 400 lbs. A thin plasma-display panel (PDP), the only FPD technology currently available, would be light weight enough to hand on the wall. Stanford Resources, Inc., San Jose, CA, estimates that the worldwide PDP market could be $2.1 billion by the year 2002. Other applications for FPDs could include animated electronic billboards, wall-mounted public information displays that could be updated real time, and teleconferencing displays that integrate voice, video, and computers.
Copyright 2007 LB Communications, Inc. This page was updated on: 03/28/2007
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