The first part for PIE, the IQ160, proved to be quite useful for other types of reconfigurable machines, testers, and routers, though as a 1.2 micron chip with somewhat conservative design it was slower than desirable. A larger chip, the IQ320, and smaller, faster chips like the PSX64, soon followed.
Now that industry is discovering that Internet traffic is fractal in space and time, the simple, fast non-blocking switch has been shown to outperform "more clever" but complicated hierarchical blocking architectures. This has caused the I-Cube switches to be in great demand, and has caused the little company to grow like a weed - over 50 employees by Q3 1997.
Unfortunately, a difference of opinion has led to the company and its founders parting ways. However, I am still on good terms with the founding team, and am currently partnering on a project with Chi-Song Horng, former VP of development.
Chi Song Horng (founder, former VP development)
Email: cshorng@aimnet.com
Home Phone: 650-493-2646