Gennum Corporation (Gennum) has introduced seven new products, GS2984 and GS2964 adaptive cable equalizers, GS2985, GS2965 and GS2986 reclockers, GS2988 and GS2989 cable drivers. Featuring improvements in jitter performance over previoussolutions, the new products feature up to a 55% improvement in power consumption. The new product line gives designers increased architectural flexibility to meet the needs for video broadcast applications.

In addition, the expanded offering gives designers the flexibility to choose the product that best meets their price, performance, power and form factor requirements. The new 3 Gb/s products will be on display at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show, Booth #SU9111, from April 20 to April 23, 2009 in Las Vegas as part of Gennum’s end-to-end 3Gb/s solution for video broadcast applications.

Leveraging its leadership position in HD, Gennum was first out of the gate with 3 Gb/s products, and now continues its leadership as the only company to offer both industry-leading performance and power in its video broadcast solutions, said Vijay Sharma, director of A/V connectivity, at Gennum. Video broadcast equipment suppliers not only want best-in-class solutions, but also want to partner with suppliers that can satisfy their needs today and in the future. As a large, stable supplier and pioneer in the video broadcast market, we ensure that customers can maintain their competitive edge in the 3Gb/s market and beyond.

In addition, increased performance means that either longer cable lengths or more sophisticated feature sets can now be supported, while reduced power consumption leads to reduced cooling and energy costs. The products are targeted at a wide range of video broadcast applications including routers, distribution amplifiers, camera control units, video servers and more.

The GS2985 reclocker consumes only 180 milliwatts, representing up to a 55% reduction in power consumption compared to previous solutions. At the system level, this can translate into a savings of 163 watts when implemented in a 576×576 router. The new reclocker features 50% lower jitter than previous generation devices (0.06UI of output jitter at 3Gb/s), and an expanded feature set including input trace equalization, output de-emphasis, and serial control. By offering a higher performance reclocking solution, Gennum reduces system component count and subsequently lowers bill of materials (BOM) cost for video broadcast equipment suppliers. The device is offered in a 64-pin QFN package. Two additional reclocking solutions will be offered in 40-pin (GS2986) and 32-pin (GS2965) QFN packages to satisfy smaller form factor designs.

Featuring 17% lower jitter compared to previous-generation devices, the GS2984 cable equalizer offers the industry’s best jitter performance (0.25UI at 120m for 3Gb/s data rates). The product also supports 0.3UI at 140m, the industry’s longest cable length for a discrete equalizer at 3Gb/s data rates. This added performance ensures that the devices can support the industry’s longest 3 Gb/s cable runs. A second cable equalizer, the GS2964, will be offered for price-sensitive applications with less demanding performance requirements.

The new GS2988 cable driver features reduced output jitter and power consumption, and supports new features such as input trace equalization, output signal presence and a wider output launch swing. A second cable driver, the GS2989, includes a second output to satisfy the needs of distribution applications.

All of the new products are fully compliant with the SMPTE 424M, 292, 344M and 259M standards, and can operate in an industrial temperature range of -40 degrees C to +85 degrees C.

Solutions Extend Gennum’s Leadership Position in 3 Gb/s SDI Design:

In 2006, Gennum announced the industry’s first 3 Gb/s reclockers, equalizers and cable drivers, and last year introduced the industry’s first single-chip 3 Gb/s transmit and receive solutions. The company continues to expand its portfolio, and recently unveiled 3 Gb/s video optical modules and receivers, completing an end-to-end offering for the video broadcast market.

Availability:

The GS2984 adaptive cable equalizer is available in production quantities. The GS2964 equalizer is sampling, with production in July 2009. The GS2985 reclocker is sampling in May 2009, with production planned for July 2009. The GS2965 and GS2986 reclockers, as well as the GS2988 and GS2989 cable drivers, are sampling in June 2009, with production planned for August 2009.

Gennum is a Canada-based designer of semiconductor solutions and intellectual property cores.