Westborough, Massachusetts-based Proteon Inc is to incorporate San Jose, California-based Fujitsu Microelectronics Inc’s Asynchronous Transfer Mode chip technology into its current and future router systems. Fujitsu struck a similar Asynchronous Transfer Mode deal with Olicom A/S in early May. Initially, Proteon will use the chips in Asynchronous Transfer Mode network interface boards for the company’s existing line of CNX multi-protocol routers, later moving to router systems that feature integrated Asynchronous Transfer Mode Cell Switching. The chip sets that the company plans to use encompass the Fujitsu MB8680 series. These comprise the MB86686 Adaptation Layer Controller; the MB86689 Address Translation Controller; the MB86683 Network Termination Controller; and the MB86680 Asynchronous Transfer Mode Switch Element, a self-routing switch element for use in Asynchronous Transfer Mode switch fabrics. According to Proteon, its first Asynchronous Transfer Mode product, providing Asynchronous Mode communications in the CNX family of RISC-based routers, will feature three of the four Fujitsu chips, missing out the Switch Element, which is ideally suited for building the routing interface boards. With the use of additional support circuitry, Proteon routers will connect to a separate Asynchronous Transfer Mode switch, says the company. Asynchronous Transfer communications to its CNX 600 high-end router is expected in the first half of 1995, says a company spokesman. The next generation offering, for which Proteon will design the Asynchronous Transfer Mode Switched Fabric into the router, will use all four of the chips in the Fujitsu set. This is due to ship probably in the second half of 1995.
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