Low-cost desktop Asynchronous Transfer Mode pioneer Advanced Telecommunications Modules Ltd, Cambridge, has signed Cirrus Logic Inc to put the technology developed at Ing C Olivetti & Co SpA’s UK research laboratories into silicon. The two are promising a single chip implementation that will reduce the cost per switch port for desktop Asynchronous Mode networks by 50%. They will jointly perfect a family of highly integrated parts under the AToM name that will offer the world’s first single-chip programmable Asynchronous Mode interface. Cirrus Logic, Fremont, California will contribute design and process expertise to achieve higher levels of integration, selling the AToM chips in the merchant market and becoming a registered applications developer for the ATMoS operating system. Advanced Telecommunications says that it has cut the price per switch port to $400 with its existing technology where others charged $1,200 at the beginning of the year. The new chips are promised to halve the per-port cost again. Designed for use with 25Mbps or 155Mbps Asynchronous Mode standards, each AToM chip handles any combination of control, adaptation or switching needed to implement a standards-compliant connection. It combines an embedded Advanced RISC Machines Ltd ARM processor core, the operating system, Asynchronous Mode switch fabric, and segmentation and reassembly.
