Second generation 1394 to
ATA bridge chip brings faster,
more feature rich PC and MAC storage peripherals
Featuring 32-bit ARM processing and 512kb of integrated flash
memory, an IEEE1394 (FireWire) to ATA / ATAPI (IDE) bridge chip
from Oxford Semiconductor, provides storage peripheral manufacturers
with the fastest means yet to transfer data with PCs and MACs
and the opportunity to build-in even greater product differentiation.
Assuring a sustained data transfer rate of up to 45MB/s, the
second generation OXFW911 device and a Physical Interface Device
(PHY), offers a two-chip, single firmware interface between
ATA and 1394 ports. The high speed performance overcomes any
potential bottleneck associated with ATA/1394 interfacing.
Peripherals to take advantage of the high data transfer capability
include smart-cable or tailgate interface applications for removable-media
and hard disk drives, compact flash card readers, CD-ROM, CD-RW
and DVD-RAM products.
"The 1394 storage product market is rapidly expanding,
and demand for high speed bridging chips has increased dramatically
as a result," James Foster, Sales and Marketing Director
at Oxford Semiconductor said. The OXFW911 offers the fastest
solution on the market and meets the data transfer requirements
of all existing and future storage products. With spare MIPS
and over 50% of the flash memory free for user encoding, the
product differentiation the device offers will be invaluable
in creating competitive advantage."
ATA100 compliant, the OXFW911 bridge chip fully supports Ultra
DMA mode 5 and corresponding data transfer rate of 35MB/s used
in existing drive and operating systems. By removing the possibility
of visible dropped frames, video editing in particular will
benefit from the new chip. Future generation storage devices
are also accommodated by the FW911's maximum 45MB/s transfer
rate capacity.
Able to handle two IDE storage devices simultaneously, the OXFW911
provides an ideal solution for RAID products, and supports combination
drive applications and the demands of 'digital convergence'
projects. The OXFW911 features an integral hardware ORB co-processor
to accelerate ORB to ATAPI command translation.
By supporting the SBP-2 standard, this FireWire to IDE interface
chip is easily designed-in, backed by generic drivers of all
the popular operating systems, including Windows, MacOS and
Linux. A full suite of design support tools and development
board is also available for the new bridge chip.
Housed in its ultra slim 128-TQFP package, the OXFW911 bridge
chip offers drive designers PCB space saving advantages. Operating
from a nominal 3.3V supply, the CMOS device also claims good
power efficiency.
Ref: OS0018
About Oxford Semiconductor:
Oxford Semiconductor Limited, based in Oxford, England, designs
and supplies highly integrated semiconductors for data communications
and connectivity applications. Founded in 1992, the company
offers a range of products covering computer-to-peripheral connection,
including UARTs and parallel ports, and is developing solutions
for emerging standards. Oxford Semiconductor participates in
numerous industry special interest groups for the development
of new data communications standards, including the IEEE1394
Trade Association, ensuring that the company continues to meet
market requirements for increasingly high performance solutions.
Oxford Semiconductor's UARTs break new ground in performance
and integration and are being used by OEMs in applications such
as remote access server, Internet servers and I/O products.
The devices are also extensively used in embedded applications
and industrial control solutions. The company has a strong focus
on customer support through its network of resellers, in addition
to support via its headquarters and design centre. In order
to assist customers in minimising product development cycles,
Oxford Semiconductor's design teams also undertake the design
of evaluation boards, reference designs and enhanced device
driver software.
Further information from:
Annie Ho
Always Communications
Tel:852 2855 7819
e-mail:annieh@agrapha-group.com
James Foster
Oxford Semiconductor
Tel: +44 1235 824900
e-mail: james.foster@oxsemi.com
