Re: Re[2]: 28.8 PCMCIA modem recommendation

[strat@dsd.northrop.com (Scott Stratmoen)]

> There is a lively
> discussion of modems/modem technology in the newsgroup comp.dcom.modems for
> those that are interested.  Don Ramsey.

The problem with comp.dcom.modems is that for the most part the people
contributing to that group are mis-informed. Those in the know are
either not interested in the usenet or are bound by one or more NDAs.

For example have you ever asked yourself why there may be 50 modems
reviewed by Computer Shopper which use the SAME chip set but
have different performance? Basically the DAA for high speed QAM modems
must be very linear. Some companies get cheap and play with the reference
DAA design. But what is a reference design?

All (most?) modem chip companies will supply you (under a NDA) a
reference design for the complete modem and documentation. All you need
to start your own modem company is to stick some plastic around their
design, change a few things for product differentiation, modify
the supplied documentation into your manual and come up
with a slick marketing plan. In other words, for the most part, all
these modems are basically the same! Brand loyalty is amusing to watch....

-- 
Scott A. Stratmoen | strat@ast.dsd.northrop.com
                   | (708) 259-9600 (ex 24762)