Modem bonding schemes multiply: Vendors tap second lines to double analog speeds

On the heels of Diamond Multimedia's recent rollout of its Shotgun modem technology, two more companies are introducing modem-bonding schemes that use two a nalog lines simultaneously to boost bandwidth.

Boca Research of Boca Raton, Fla., and SmartLink of Milpitas, Calif., each introduced modems that can reach up to 112 kb/s by running data at 56 kb/s over two lines simultaneously. Both companies will demonstrate their products at Fall Comdex '97, Nov. 17-20, in Las Vegas.

Boca Research's DynamicDuo technology combines two 56 kb/s modems on a single board. The solution employs Midcore Software's MidPoint Teamer software with Modem Teaming and Download Doubler. The Modem Teaming feature manages both 56 kb/s connections while the Download Doubler splits files and graphics evenly between the two lines.

The solution also requires that users' Internet service providers support K56flex to achieve top speeds. Without K56flex, the modems fall back to 33.6 kb/s and can achieve a maximum speed of only 67 kb/s.

SmartLink's solution employs its own software along with Analog Devices' AD 1821 chip. The software-based solution lets modem makers build dual-line modems by doubling only the phone jacks, said Peter Tsepeleff, SmartLink's sales vice president. Solutions that require dual chips cost $40 to $50 more.

The AD 1821 is a sound chip for computers, but with its software, SmartLink can harness one of the audio channels for modem traffic to create a 56 kb/s modem. The new solution can harness both channels either on a full-time basis or dynamically with a full feature set.

That means users can log on at 56 kb/s and, as traffic demands, the software can access the other channel and double the speed to 112 kb/s. The solution also allows for double download speed and requires no particular equipment or software at the central office.

"You need two phone lines, but it's one card, one chip," Tsepeleff said. "There are no modifications Zrequired to the central site."