AT&T Corp’s NCR Microelectronics Products Division in Colorado Springs, (which has not adopted the AT&T Global Information Solutions name) has announced what it claims is the first integrated PCMCIA Ethernet controller to support full-duplex operation. The product is based on NCR’s own full-duplex Ethernet controller core, but uses a PCMCIA interface jointly developed with Woodland Hills, California-based Xircom Inc, which has also developed a custom version for its Performance Series credit board adaptor. Called the NCR92C350, the new product is said to integrate the PCMCIA interface, an IEEE 802.3 local network Controller, with a Mendex, AUI and 10Base-T transceiver. Full-duplex operation is enabled on the controller chip using an external pin, or by setting an internal register bit – which disables 10Base-T functions such as collision detection, loopback and Signal Quality Error – according to the company. The product should be ready next quarter in a 128-pin Thin Quad Flat Pack, costing $18 in quantities of 1,000.
