AGERE SYSTEMS INTRODUCES 1394B CHIPSET

The speed at which information can be moved between personal computers (PCs) and various devices such as high-performance hard disk drives can be doubled because of a new chipset introduced today by Agere Systems (NYSE: AGR).

Agere’s announcement coincides with this week’s Computex conference and exhibition (Agere Booth T101A2).

The company’s chipset, called the FW430 and FW843, transports voice, data and video signals moving between computer and consumer electronics equipment at up to 800 Megabits per second (Mbits/s)—twice as fast as current 1394A 400 Mbits/s technology. Agere’s chipset reaches that speed because it adheres to the IEEE 1394B standard. This standard consists of a common set of rules of operation being installed in a growing amount of computer and consumer electronics equipment.

The chipset aims to meet requirements of PC users with the need to back up critical, large files including uncompressed digital video on high-performance external hard disk drives. Video developers would find the greater performance advantageous for backing up large files they create, doing so in half the time of the 1394A chip technology.

“PC manufacturers and consumers want faster peripheral connections and this Agere chip meets those demands squarely,” said Nathanial Grier, senior marketing manager with Agere Systems. “PC manufacturers are looking for cost-effective ways to implement 1394B on the main board. With Agere’s solution, they can cost effectively offer 1394A and 1394B using one main board design, by deciding to populate the FW843 1394B PHY or not, as needed.”

1394A technology provides speeds of 400 Mbits/s extending distances of 4.5 meters. 1394B performs at 800 Mbits/s bandwidth spanning up to 4.5 meters. Agere has shipped to market more than 60 million 1394 chips.

Agere’s 1394B chipset is available in sample quantities now. Contact Agere at the 800 number below for pricing information.