History of Adaptive Micro-Ware

1980s – Innovative Ideas

Adaptive Micro-Ware’s inventive product design legacy began in 1980 with a diverse series of advanced consumer and industrial products. Before the decade was out, we had been recognized by the State of Indiana as a pioneer in programmable logic and were asked to help establish the Indiana Microelectronics Center to promote the use of advanced technology by small businesses.

Some of the highlights of our development efforts in the '80s:

Apple II modem card for SSM Microcomputer Products
Apple II IEEE-488 card
Point-of-sale terminals and fuel pump controllers for Tokheim and Tuthill
Automated production systems for CTS
Patented a fiber optic-based image sensing system
Digital controllers for Lincoln Electric arc welders
High speed / high capacity SCSI file server and an RF modem for a Michigan startup
PLDs and custom gate arrays for clients of the Indiana Microelectronics Center

Our first modem design in the early 1980's was a 300 baud unit. Together with the Transend software co-written by Adaptive founder Bob Kniskern, it was the communication vehicle of choice for early Apple II users.

Working with pre-release SCSI chips, Adaptive Micro-Ware assisted the manufacturer with finalizing the chip’s microcode as we developed a file server based on that part.

1990s – Digital Video Technologies

For Adaptive Micro-Ware, the 1990s were all about the digital video revolution. Adaptive gained an early reputation as an expert in digital video compression and distribution technologies. Two of its set-top box designs are recognized as “first in the world”.

Some of the highlights of our development efforts in the '90s:

Complete 80-channel direct broadcast satellite system for SkyPix. This complete broadcast studio included the following new technologies:
- DBS digital video set-top box
- Real time video encoder (CCIR-601)
- Video pre-processor
- High-speed video file servers
- Real time data mixers and scramblers
- Real time program scheduling, electronic program guide, and secure video purchasing system.
Navigator 1000 MPEG / ADSL video set-top for Bell Atlantic’s groundbreaking ADSL trial in the District of Columbia
Data delivery systems utilizing ethernet, DS-3, OC-3, 25.6 ATM, and proprietary ATM technologies.

Adaptive Micro-Ware designed (or in some cases co-designed) the system architecture, board-level electronics, & proprietary silicon for these systems.

The SkyPix set-top box was the first DBS set-top box ever created.

The Navigator 1000 - the world’s first telco video on demand set-top - was displayed at the Smithsonian Museum.

2000s – High speed networking technologies

Adaptive’s 21st Century began with a continued focus on broadband communications products, although the network focus has now shifted to wireless broadband. One trait has remained solidly in place since 1980. The products and systems that Adaptive invents for its clients continue to push the limits of complexity, enabling our clients to break new ground in their markets.

Some of the highlights of our latest development efforts:

DSL network interfaces
Broadband network switching digital video conferencing system
32-channel POTS / ADSL line card
Wavelet-based video codec
A wireless T1 line replacement solution
Wireless UAV ground-to-air digital data link

Our POTS/ADSL line card is the first truly multi-channel line card.