My first DS89C420 samples were a mite earlier than that, Erik.

I was, then, aware of the Cygnal efforts, but the packaging together with their FPGA logic was difficult to figure out, since the support software for it wasn't quite "together." I think they had serious pricing and marketing "issues," too.

As a result, I never got around to trying out the Cygnal parts, but I'd guess they were OK. The Dallas parts are only now (over the past year)becoming realistically useful as they get the spec's in sync with the reality in silicon.

There are still a few things that aren't fully specified, e.g. serial port mode 0 timing, but that's not a popular feature so it shouldn't impact their market share. I'm actually more concerned about whether they'll stay "behind" the one-clockers. I'm suspecting they'd rather push other products, after all the trouble they've had with this line. I do think I still like 'em though.

RE