Categories
Softmodems can be separated into two clear classes: controllerless modems and pure software modems. Controllerless modems, such as those made by Lucent and Motorola, perform much of the modem work on the card, and require only small amounts of CPU power to complete. Conexant's HCF standard also falls into the controllerless category. Pure software modems perform the entire emulation of a hardware modem on the main CPU, with Conexant's HSF standard being the most common.
U.S. Robotics literature presently uses "Winmodem" for controllerless modems, and "Softmodem" for pure software modems.
Another way of classifying softmodems is by means of their communication interface with the host computer: on desktop systems the most common option is an internal PCI or ISA expansion card, which can be easily be told apart from an internal "hardware" modem by the significantly reduced size and component count.
Softmodems can also be integrated in MiniPCI and PC cards for use in a portable computer, such as a laptop or palmtop computer, or connected via USB.
Read more about this topic: Softmodem
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