Rim Semiconductor Company (fka RSMI)

[WTMHouston]

If there already is a "prototype," then I really do not understand NVEI's answers to questions: all of which sure read as though they are still developing a prototype. For example:

QUESTION:

Can you render me any information on the current status of addition field trials?

ANSWER:

The technology will pass through a series of simulations before a prototype is developed. Many of those simulations are tested in our labs, and these tests occur on a daily basis. We will, from time to time, also find it necessary to conduct these simulations on telephone wires that are in actual use. The only test that we have announced to date was at Maine Telephone, and a description of that test can be found at http://www.newvisual.com/trial.

------------------------------------------------

Other aspects are very flexible, like how might a circuit card which uses our technology be connected to the currently installed boxes and switches and routers that already exist in the world. We are in continuous conversations with NV's target customers from among the various international service providers and equipment manufacturers so that we can decide on what "interfaces" (like PCI, USB, Ethernet and Utopia) we ought to plan to put on our prototype and our first chips. Since each of these "interfaces" costs us money to develop, build, test and support, we are doing some exhaustive analysis of the markets first, and Ken MacLeod is helping us do that.

Some features of the technology are very well defined; others are still in the process of definition; while still others will be defined after the release of the prototype.
----------------------------------------------

With regard to the release of the product prototype, "significant" means that we don't think our long term business plan is affected, or that the dates we told you at the shareholder meeting will change in a negative way. Our plan still calls for delivery of a working prototype this year, and our first chip part in the first half of next year.

---------------------------------

These excerpts from NVEI's Q&A sure seem to indicate that there is not yet something that NVEI is willing to publicly call a prototype.

Additionally, this post containing an answer from JH also seems to suggest that there is not yet a prototype:

http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=493139

John's reply (9/9/02):

Bob,

Tom Cooper has stated that we are on schedule to produce a prototype of our first product before the end of the year. He has also stated that we are on or ahead of that schedule. That first product prototype is what will be used for carrier trials.

That is also consistent with an email John sent me a while back: that there was not yet a prototype but that it was expected within a year.

I was not at the SH meeting so I do not know what they showed everyone. But, Elderwolf (and hitimer) sure seem to also think that there is an existing prototype.

http://www.investorshub.com/boards/replies.asp?msg=446873

Rob- you're absolutely right. We have a prototype. However, it's not the completed prototype that they will be turning over to the teleco for carrier trials. They are finalizing the design and making minor adjustments before calling it absolutely finished. It's done enough for NV to test, but not enough to call a finished product.

This would seem to indicate that they are at steps 2 and 3 -- they have "a" FPGA that someone called a "prototype," but are still in the process of developing "the" prototype -- but not yet at step 4 since the field "simulation" they did was not with a FPGA.

2) Develop a programmable prototype using off-the-shelf development hardware and software. This is typically done with programmable logic devices like FPGAs or CPLDs (Complex Programmable Logic Device). Once the prototype is done, go to step 3.

3) Test the prototype in a laboratory environment using line-simulation software and hardware. These simulations model the behavior or real-world lines. There are many such tools available. When the testing is being done, you can reprogram the FPGAs on the fly to address bugs, etc. When you are satisfied with the laboratory testing, go to step 4.

4) Test the prototype on an actual service loop. This is where the rubber meets the road. If the prototype works here, the final product will work as well. If the process is done correctly, the final product will do *exactly* what the FPGA prototype did. <-------- YOU ARE HERE.

Troy