Functional Description
iChip & iChip LAN Datasheet 3-1
3 Functional Description
3.1 Overview
Connect One’s iChip Internet Controller is an integrated, firmware-driven, self-contained
Internet engine that is available in a 68-pin PLCC package. iChip accepts simple ASCII
commands from a host CPU via a serial communication bus and manages an Internet
communication session to send and receive Email and web pages, and to open and close
sockets through a linked modem or Ethernet communications platform.
For dial-up and GSM cellular modem configurations, iChip CO561AD-S is available in
two forms: CO561AD-S interfaces a serial modem. CO561AD-S is also available
mounted on a carrier board, CO561AD-C that is pin-compatible with Conexant’s
SocketModem.
For 10BaseT Ethernet applications, iChip LAN CO561AD-L includes the firmware and
pin-out necessary to drive an external Crystal LAN CS8900A 10BaseT Ethernet
controller.
iChip CO561AD-S
and iChip LAN contain non-volatile FLASH memory to store their
firmware and Internet-related operational parameters. Remote firmware and parameter
updates are supported through the host link, by Email or directly through the
communications platform.
3.2 Technical Specifications
3.2.1 General
iChip constitutes a complete Internet messaging solution for non-PC embedded devices.
It acts as a mediator device to completely offload the host processor of Internet-related
software and activities. An industry-standard asynchronous serial link connects iChip to
the host processor. Programming, monitoring and control are fully supported using
Connect One’s AT+i extension to the standard AT command set.
An additional industry-standard asynchronous serial link connects iChip CO561AD-S to
a standard serial modem ,while iChip LAN CO561AD-L connects to an Ethernet MAC
for Internet access. In serial modem configurations, iChip supports direct host-to-modem
operations using the standard AT command set.
3.2.2 Data Rates
iChip supports standard baud rate configurations from 2,400 bps up to 57,600 bps, while
iChip LAN supports bandwidth up to 230,000 bps on the host asynchronous serial
communications bus. For safety reasons, iChip is shipped with a default zero connection
rate. The default baud rate may be changed permanently by using the AT+iBDR
command.