General Magic Unveils Softmodem; Software Modem Provides Functionality at a Fraction of Existing Hardware Solutions Costs
SUNNYVALE, Calif. — June 25, 1996 — General Magic, Inc. (Nasdaq: GMGC) today announced the immediate availability of SoftModem, software capable of performing a full suite of data and fax modem functions on general-purpose microprocessors independent of operating system. Unlike existing modems, which require a dedicated digital signal processor (DSP), SoftModem can share a single CPU with client applications. SoftModem provides consumer electronics and computer manufacturers the ability to reduce the cost and complexity of products by allowing them to include modem functionality without the expense of separate DSP chips. SoftModem is available under license from General Magic for porting to a variety of microprocessors, such as MIPS, Intel's Pentium MMX and the Philips Semiconductors Personal Intelligent Communicator (PIC) chipset.
"Any company that designs or produces products with a separate CPU and modem chipset is a potential customer for SoftModem," said Steve Schramm, Vice President and General Manager, Communication Products Division, General Magic. "SoftModem allows a manufacturer to realize significant savings and to simplify hardware design. Its optimized performance, standards compliance, and portability to a broad variety of processors make SoftModem a very compelling solution."
"Philips Semiconductors licensed General Magic's SoftModem technology because it complements our systems-on-a-chip strategy of providing powerful hardware and software solutions to customers," said Cees Jan Koomen, Vice President and General Manager, Communications and Multimedia Business Group of Philips. "SoftModem complements our powerful two chip Personal Intelligent Communicator (PIC) chipset which will find themselves in the next generation of PIC and Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) products in the near future."
Product Information and Technical Details
SoftModem is written entirely in C using fixed-point vector processing, allowing it to be ported to a wide variety of microprocessors. The full V.34 (28.8kbps) version requires approximately 64 kilobytes of RAM, and 256 kilobytes of ROM for RISC processors (less for CISC processors). The software is modular, so functions not required for a particular application can be excluded. Licenses include full C-language source code, specifications, tools, makefiles, and small assembly routines for time-critical C routines. Inquiries regarding licensing terms should be directed to Kendall Larsen, Director, North American Sales, General Magic at 408-774-4474 or <kendall(underscore)gic.com>.
SoftModem supports standard ITU-T V.21, V.22, V.22bis, V.23, V.32bis, V.34 and V.34bis data modulations, the V.27-V.29 (2400 bps-9600 bps) fax modulations, plus CallerID and tone detection. SoftModem has been tested and verified with live phone lines, PTT and TAS simulators, using TSB-37A line conditions and impairment combinations for 100% connectivity to leading hardware modems. The V.32bis function requires 7 MIPS; V.34 requires 14 MIPS, given a single-cycle, 16×16 multiply accumulate instruction. The SoftModem code is operating-system independent and can be ported to any processor capable of meeting the real-time requirements.
Philips Semiconductors, Inc., a subsidiary of Philips Electronics North America Corporation and an affiliate of Philips Electronics NV (NYSE: PHG), headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is the eleventh largest semiconductor supplier in the world. Philips Semiconductors' innovations in digital audio, video, and mobile technology position that company as a leader in the consumer, multimedia, and wireless communications market. Sales offices are located in all major markets around the world and are supported by regional customer applications labs.
General Magic, Inc. (Nasdaq: GMGC) was founded in 1990 and provides engaging, active Internet software for business professionals, developers, device manufacturers, service providers and enterprises. General Magic is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with offices in Paris and Tokyo. For more information on General Magic and its products, visit General Magic's web site at http://www.genmagic.com/.
NOTE: SoftModem is a registered trademark of General Magic, Inc. General Magic acknowledges the rights of the trademark owners for all trademarks referred to herein.
CONTACT:
Susan Nicolls, 408-774-6901, or [email protected], or Tom Hershenson 408-774-4343, or [email protected], both of General Magic Inc.