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REVIEW OF THE WEEK
Dual-processor chip pairs Agere DSP with an ARM9
Allentown, Pa.-Agere Systems says its PI-301 multiprocessor system-on-chip controller for inkjet and thermal fax applications combines up to eight electronic components in one SoC. The controller supports existing thermal fax designs while enabling a transition to monochrome inkjet fax solutions for small-office/home-office applications.
Agere is collaborating with Lexmark to provide the controller along with Lexmark's inkjet print engines as a high-performance development platform for inkjet fax designs.
Today's inkjet fax machines use as many as three pc-board assemblies to manage printing, processing and communications tasks. The PI-301 combines multiple discrete controller, memory and modem functions. That integration enables all required electronics to fit on a single board, reducing overall electronics costs by 30 to 50 percent, according to Agere.
"Inkjet fax machines offer outstanding image quality and ease of use, and Agere can help drive the growth in consumer inkjet solutions by providing manufacturers with integrated electronics as well as advanced image and print processing," said Jack Keller, imaging and printing product line director at Agere.
The PI-301 SoC manages image acquisition and processing, print mechanics (including scan control, print engine control, cartridge movement, ink firing paper feed and paper positioning) as well as fax modem functionality and advanced display features. The chip combines three discrete controllers typically found in inkjet fax...