Floreat's Software Fax Modems (FloFax) and Fax over IP Protocols 

Floreat Software Fax Modems (FloFax):

Floreat’s Fax Modem Software (FloFax) for Super G3 fax and Group 3 Fax Software (G3 Fax Software)

Overview:

Facsimile transmissions are specialized forms of modem communications. Fax modems have the advantage that transmission does not lead to degradation in quality, and one can easily edit text and manipulate images on the screen.

Floreat offers embedded Fax Modem Software modules on various DSP, RISC and processors that implement ITU-T standards for analog telephone lines for Super G3 and Group 3 Fax. The code is modular, re-locatable and reentrant for multi-channel capability. The software is available in fixed & floating point C and assembly optimized versions.

The FloFax SoftModem datapump supports the full range of ITU-T V.34, V.17, V.29, V.27ter, V.21ch.2 standards, thus enabling fax operation at speeds of 33.6, 14.4, 9.6, 7.2, 4.8, 2.4 Kbps and 300 bps. The higher speed modulations compress images before transferring them.

Floreat's Super G3 fax modem software and Group 3 fax SoftModem can be controlled with Floreat's T.30 fax protocol software, or with Floreat's T.31 Class 1 Commands, which is the EIA/TIA standard for minimum computer fax modem interface.

The Class 1 standard is formally known as EIA/TIA 578. With Class 1 commands, an extension of the ‘Hayes Modem Command Set', most of the protocol work as well as image generation (rasterizing and T.4 compression to provide the image data in the correct format) is done by the computer while the modem handles the basic modulation and conversion of an asynchronous data from the computer into synchronous packets used in fax communications. The primary advantage of Class 1 commands is that the fax protocol is implemented in software so that new extensions to the standard can be implemented without requiring a ROM change in the modem. It also frees software developers from the quality of the T.30 firmware in the modem.

The T.30 fax modem software itself can be controlled by the Class 2 command set which is a higher level specification than Class 1 and also permits computers to send and receive faxes using fax modems. The difference is that the T.30 protocol work is done by the modem while the computer is responsible for managing the session and for the compression. The primary advantage of Class 2 is that the low-level detail work is handled by the modem so that the host is relieved of the time-critical aspects of fax communications and software developers do not have to support the T.30 protocol. However, Class 2 standard took so long to be finalized into Class 2.0 that most commercial fax modems conform to Class 2. But even among Class 2, many major companies such as Rockwell depart from the standard in many ways.

Floreat's underlying fax modem software data pumps have been thoroughly tested for line-impairments on a TAS Series 2+ telephone network emulator. Floreat's implementation of Super G3 fax software and Group 3 Fax modem software with the T.30 fax modem protocol software has been tested for interoperability with commercial fax machines as well as using Quality Logic's FAXLAB (formerly known as Genoa FAXLAB) equipment that simulates more than 100 fax machines for the G3 Fax Modem software.

The target applications for the Floreat's Super G3 fax and Group 3 fax modem software (FloFax) are fax servers, multi-channel fax cards, fax modem chipsets, PC fax modems, multi-function fax machines and fax relay. Thus OEM products designed for the telecommunication, Internet and consumer electronics markets can use customized combinations of Floreat's fax modem software to add fax communication functionality.

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QUICK LINKS TO:

• FloFax V.34 Fax SoftModem (V.34 Fax Modem Software)

• FloFax V.17 Fax SoftModem (V.17 Fax Modem Software)

• FloFax V.29 Fax SoftModem (V.29 Fax Modem Software)

• FloFax V.27ter and V.21ch.2 Fax SoftModem (V.27ter Fax Modem Software)