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Catherine Abbinanti

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cathy.abbinanti@amd.com

The ACR specification defines a physical design and interfaces for multiple communications and audio subsystem in PCs.  The interface combines several existing communications buses, and introduces a new, advanced communications bus answering industry demand for low-cost, high-performance communications peripherals.  The specification enables riser-based broadband communications, networking peripheral and audio subsystem designs in an open-standards context.  ACR supports modems, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), digital subscriber line (DSL) and audio technologies.  Provisions are also made for future wireless bus support. The ACR 1.0 specification was published in February 2000. 

The first ACR Plugfest was held during May in Austin, Texas with nine member companies participating.   ACR is based on existing technologies and ACR.Basic, ACR.Lite and ACR.Hub solutions are being implemented.

Examples of some ACR LAN and WAN configurations:

Benefits of the ACR SIG specification:

The ACR specification provides the following technology, cost and integration benefits:

·        Allows diverse and scalable communications, networking and audio functions in a flexible combination of hardware and software cores

·        Supports simultaneous AC97 functions, multiple network interfaces, and a DSL interface on a single riser card

·        Provides multiple communications functions without using multiple PCI slots

·        Releases multiple PCI bus slots for use by other peripherals or board real estate savings

·        Preserves choice in selection of discreet silicon components to promote industry innovation and product differentiation

·        Allows enhancement or replacement of discreet silicon hardware cores with software, facilitating integration of core logic and peripherals

·        Adds interfaces that  collect the RJ-11 communications and networking functions into a single RJ-11 jack, such as analog modems, HomePNA networking and xDSL

·        Allows risers to receive applicable industry and agency approvals independent of the motherboard, reducing approval time requirements and accelerating design and release of new system platforms

The ACR interface and connector scheme provide the following key benefits:

·        Expands the number of signaling pins and functions relative to other riser initiatives

·        Uses an existing high-volume, low-cost 120 pin PCI A-stagger connector

·        Supports future ACR extensions including multiple xDSL Codecs, faster xDSL devices, and reserved wireless interface pins

What ACR members say:

"The growing support for the ACR SIG underscores the importance of an open industry riser standard that accelerates the delivery of products supporting communications while reducing PC manufacturing costs," said Mike Johnson, vice president of the Advanced Architecture Lab at AMD. "As one founder of the ACR SIG, AMD extends a warm welcome to our new members."

"Conexant has contributed to the development of a highly integrated specification for future implementations of advanced communications riser products, " said Conrad Maxwell, technology manager, Conexant Systems, Inc. "Our communications product portfolio emphasizes functional integration to support ACR.Basic through ACR.Xtreme and we are pleased to be part of the broad industry support as it extends the key elements of next generation communications for the end-user."

"NVIDIA is pleased to be part of the ACR special interest group," said Dan Vivoli, senior vice president of marketing at NVIDIA.  "Combined with our world leading graphics, the ACR specification gives consumers PC's that are more powerful and increasingly flexible."

  “The ACR standard allows PCTEL to extend its own commitment to bring highly integrated broadband communications and home networking solutions to market through our HSP technology.  The establishment of this open standard for riser cards will allow for an unprecedented opportunity for product innovation, development and flexibility which will benefit both manufacturers and end users of high speed internet access and networking technology.”

Phoenix Technologies will enable systems that implement the Advanced Communications Riser 1.0 (ACR) standard in our industry leading PhoenixBIOS and AwardBIOS," said Jonathan Sloves, senior director of marketing, Platform Enabling Division, Phoenix Technologies Ltd.  "Enhancing communications capabilities and reducing cost are industry initiatives that require multi-party cooperation to successfully enable and optimize Internet PCs."

"SMART LINK TECHNOLOGIES, INC. proudly supports the work of the ACR SIG to standardize and to promote the open specification for progressive riser card technology," said Antonio Visconti, vice president of marketing and business development for SMART LINK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.  "By participating in the ACR SIG, we are committing to the continual development of innovative solutions that support riser card technology for PC communications, especially those that bring low-cost broadband and modem capabilities to consumers."

“VIA Technologies and our motherboard partners are proud to provide an ACR-compatible chipset and motherboard platform to support the innovative communications riser products from ACR-SIG members,” said Richard Brown, Director of Marketing for VIA Technologies, Inc. “The ACR initiative is an excellent case-study for the rapid implantation of a new industry wide standard and yet more proof that open standards will always win-out over proprietary solutions.”

About the Advanced Communications Riser Special Interest Group

The ACR Special Interest Group (ACR SIG) manages the development of the ACR specification.  The ACR SIG is an open, not-for-profit organization representing the microcomputer industry.  ACR SIG membership is open to the microcomputer industry.

Membership to the ACR SIG is open to all companies supporting this initiative.  To become an ACR SIG member or for help in obtaining specifications and development materials about the ACR Specification, visit the ACR SIG web site at http://www.acrsig.org.