ADSL Modem Chipset from STMicroelectronics Receives Microsoft Approval for Windows Vista Drivers

With its very low price point, this type of CPE (Customer-Premises Equipment) is ideal for emerging broadband markets such as in Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa where it allows operators to offer attractively-priced entry-level DSL services for new Internet users, and for upgrades from dial-up services. In addition, Unicorn II can be integrated easily into PCs at minimum cost, enabling governments and communities to provide broadband-enabled PCs to narrow the digital divide. Even in established markets, for example the EU countries and the Asia-Pacific region, DSL service cost has been a factor in slowing the full uptake of broadband services.

Since its introduction two years ago, the field-proven Unicorn II solution has been qualified by major operators in several countries. It provides simple installation, stable operation and reliable performance, ensuring low support costs for operators. It achieves up to 8-Mbit/sec downstream speed – more than enough bandwidth for entry-level and advanced DSL services –, is fully compliant with ITU (International Telecommunication Union) and ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) standards, and interoperates with all major ADSL and ADSL2+ DSLAMs.

As well as support for Windows Vista™, the line-up of drivers also includes Apple Mac OS 9 and OS X, Linux, Windows 98SE, Windows Me, Windows 2000 and Windows XP. This comprehensive and fully customizable driver suite includes a number of diagnostic tools to help operators and ISPs to reduce their help-desk costs, and a reference design kit is available which includes schematics, PCB layout, bill of materials and documentation. Third-party turnkey solutions are produced by a number of leading ODMs.

“Attractive service pricing is crucial for the success of broadband,” said Steve Rago, Principal Analyst at market research and analysis firm iSuppli. “Especially in emerging economies, where expendable household income is relatively low, service providers are facing the challenge to increase broadband penetration and be profitable at the same time. With the Unicorn-II, ODMs and OEMs can produce DSL modems with the price-performance ratio needed by operators active within emerging markets, enabling them to significantly increase their subscriber base by offering affordable DSL services”.

The Unicorn II chipset consists of the ST70138 Controllerless Transceiver, with integrated DMT (Discrete Multi-Tone) engine, control logic and USB Physical-layer interface (PHY); and the MTC20174 ADSL Analog Front End (AFE) chip, which integrates the AFE, line driver and DCXO (Digitally-Controlled Crystal Oscillator). The architecture of the Unicorn-II removes the need for an external SDRAM, further reducing the Bill of Materials cost.

The chipset is now available in volume in RoHS-compliant lead-free packages (ST70138 in LFBGA80, MTC20174 in TQFP100), and is priced at $6.50 in quantities of 10,000 units.