Circuit Cellar Witnesses Surge in Embedded Ethernet
Impact Seen in WIZnet iEthernet Design Contest 2007
Vernon, CT, USA – November 19, 2007: Circuit Cellar, the magazine for computer applications, announced today that the level of interest in the WIZnet iEthernet Design Contest echoes the growing popularity among its readers in making their embedded projects truly web-enabled.
The iEthernet Design Contest is co-sponsored by Circuit Cellar, a U.S. based publication, and WIZnet, a fabless semiconductor company located in South Korea. The contest encourages embedded design engineers to consider the ease in which Ethernet-connectivity can be added to almost any embedded project using the WIZnet W5100 Ethernet chip. To aid engineers in this discovery, Circuit Cellar has been shipping free WIZnet modules to potential contest participants.
Circuit Cellar Publisher Sean Donnelly was initially surprised by the immediate response for sample requests. “Here was a relatively new, overseas company [WIZnet] that was unknown to much of our audience. Yet thousands of embedded engineers came knocking on our door and are now dedicating time to learning about WIZnet’s core technology, TOP (TCP/IP Offload Platform),” said Donnelly. “But I think it’s a sign of the times.”
Donnelly noted that there are several competitors who are all following the same path to easing the burden of Ethernet connectivity for embedded engineers. “It’s where the money is,” said Donnelly. “Between 1995 and 2000, all you had to do was mention the word ‘Internet’ and funding would suddenly appear. But this was all Wall Street thinking and we saw what happened after the excitement wore off. Now we’re looking at a new surge in interest in connectivity. However, projects are now being funded because the embedded engineers are driving it. It’s real. Years ago, all it took was experience with programming an embedded controller to get a job. Now you don’t get anywhere unless you also have proven experience with embedded connectivity. From what I’m seeing, WIZnet’s devices help these guys come up to speed rather quickly.”
The WIZnet iEthernet Design Contest ends January 31, 2008, with winners announced through Circuit Cellar. Although Circuit Cellar has co-sponsored and administered numerous design contests for established MCU vendors such as Microchip, Atmel, and Renesas, the WIZnet contest presents broad appeal for designers. “First off,” said Donnelly, “designers are encouraged to use an MCU of their choice. The contest isn’t MCU-specific, so you don’t need to go too far from your comfort zone. Second, WIZnet is really interested in applications both simple and complex. They want to build their application library and encourage contest entry even if the core project seems simple… Simplicity is the point they’re trying to make.”
Because Circuit Cellar maintains both a print magazine and a web site that hosts embedded content, there are numerous opportunities for contest participants to receive recognition and publishing deals. “Our contests definitely aren’t a flash in the pan for the participants,” said Donnelly. “Beyond the official prizes ($15,000), there are so many other ways to make sure that a Circuit Cellar contest project leads to other forms of recognition and financial rewards. I think the guy that shows us how he Ethernet-enabled yesterday’s project is going to be as successful as the guy who’s bringing a whole new embedded device into the realm of Ethernet connectivity. It’s just the nature of the contest.”
The WIZnet iEthernet Design Contest will continue to supply samples to those who qualify while supplies last. Since Circuit Cellar’s primary job is publishing hands-on articles about embedded design, all levels of design sophistication are encouraged during contest submission. “Sometimes these contests are about building relationships with future Circuit Cellar authors, more so than making sure every submitted project is a potential first place winner,” said Donnelly. “I want to make sure that we have future editorial content that reflects the interest I’m seeing in Ethernet connectivity. This contest is a good step toward that end.”
Anyone interested in the WIZnet iEthernet Design Contest should visit http://www.circuitcellar.com/wiznet/.
About WIZnet, Inc.
WIZnet Inc., based in Korea, is a privately held fabless semiconductor company, founded in 1998. Its US subsidiary, iinChip Inc. was incorporated in 2000 in Palo Alto, CA.
WIZnet is a unique hardwired Internet connectivity solution provider. WIZnet's core technology, TOP(TCP/IP Offload Platform), is market-proven ASSP and silicon-proven IP for custom ASIC, which best fits OS-less device and is compatible with any Embedded OS. TOP is a fully hardwired TCP/IP algorithm, which guarantees line speed by on-the-fly processing architecture that is independent of CPU. TOP eliminates CPU overhead by offloading TCP/IP processing and hence enhances overall system performance especially in multimedia streaming applications.
TOP ASSP has been adopted worldwide both in OS-less devices including DVR, MP3, Remote Control and OS-based devices including STB and DTV. It provides higher performance and stability than software internet connectivity solutions.
WIZnet produces various chip-oriented application modules and evaluation boards as well as fully hardwired TCP/IP chip. WIZnet works with many high quality Resellers and Distributors around the world to provide its international customers with the best service possible.
About Circuit Cellar Magazine
Circuit Cellar, founded in 1988, is the premier source of practical technical information for designers and builders of computer hardware and software applications. Circuit Cellar enhances the electronic design skills of its readers by offering creative solutions and unique applications through complete projects, practical tutorials, and useful design techniques. In addition to producing monthly editorial content, the magazine has administered and co-sponsored several dozen design contests for some of the most notable companies in Silicon Valley and beyond. www.circuitcellar.com
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About the Press Release
Circuit Cellar, the magazine for computer applications, announced today that the level of interest in the WIZnet iEthernet Design Contest echoes the growing popularity among its readers in making their embedded projects truly web-enabled.
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