Hsinchu, Taiwan Nov. 3, 2005 ASIX Electronics Corp. today announced the sample availability of its newly developed non-PCI Ethernet controller for the embedded networking applications. The AX88796A, non-PCI Ethernet controller, is the latest family and cost-effective chip being added to the ASIX embedded networking product portfolio.

There is a growing awareness of the need for a network in the home that can easily distribute and share the high quality digital video and audio content among different home devices. Because of its ease of use, low-cost, high-throughput, and seamlessly interoperating with existing computer network, the Ethernet is a very attractive infrastructure technology for this home network applications. By adding Ethernet connectivity to an embedded system, microcontrollers can distribute data over a network and can be controlled remotely.

ASIX specializes in Ethernet-centric networking technology and provides a series of non-PCI Ethernet controllers for various embedded systems including consumer electronics and home network markets that require a higher level of network connectivity. We offer the system designer the best mix of performance vs. cost for the embedded connectivity solutions. The AX88796A is targeted for home appliances, networking, factory/building automation, industrial equipments, security systems, remote control, monitoring, and management applications such as POS, WLAN AP, Broadband Router, IP Camera, VoIP, IP STB, and IPTV, etc.

About AX88796A

The AX88796A, Non-PCI 8/16-bit 10/100M Fast Ethernet Controller with Embedded PHY, is a high performance and highly integrated local CPU bus Ethernet Controller with embedded 10/100Mbps PHY/Transceiver and 8K*16 bit SRAM. The AX88796A supports both 8 bit and 16 bit local CPU interfaces, which include MCS-51 series, 80186 series, MC68K series CPU, and ISA bus. The AX88796A implements both 10Mbps and 100Mbps Ethernet function based on IEEE802.3/IEEE802.3u LAN standards. The AX88796A also provides an extra IEEE802.3u compliant media-independent interface (MII) to support other media applications. Using the MII interface, the Home LAN PHY type of media can also be supported. The programming of AX88796A is very simple and compatible with NE2000, so the users can port the software drivers to any system quickly and easily.

Availability

Limited sampling for the AX88796A non-PCI Ethernet controller is available now, and volume production is expected in January 2006.

About ASIX

ASIX Electronics Corporation specializes in network connectivity solutions and provides Ethernet-centric silicon products such as non-PCI Ethernet controller, USB2.0 to Ethernet NIC controller, and Gigabit switch for embedded networking applications. ASIX is based in Hsinchu, Taiwan with distributors in Benelux, China, Israel, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.
For more information on the ASIX AX88796A, please contact us at e-mail: sales@asix.com.tw, web: www.asix.com.tw.