Pericom's 'Industry First' Graphics Switch Connects to PCI Express(R) and DisplayPort(TM) in Next Generation PCs

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pericom Semiconductor Corporation NASDAQ: PSEM, a worldwide preferred supplier of high-speed integrated circuits and frequency control products, today announced a next- generation high-speed switch solution for graphics interface between PCs and monitors based on Gen2 PCI Express(R) (PCIeG2) and DisplayPort(R) (DP) architectures.

The introduction of the PI3PCIE2612-A and PI3PCIE 2612-B capitalizes on the transition PC manufactures are now making to DP, a widely supported license-free digital a/v interconnect standard (www.vesa.org). Next generation PCs feature dual-function graphics ports capable of offering a DP output from its embedded graphics accelerator, or PCIeG2 output through enhanced graphics cards slots. PI3PCIE2612-A/B provides point-to-point connections between the PC chipsets to those of the DP connector or the x16 PCIeG2 slot for external graphics cards.

"The implementation of DisplayPort technology is currently emerging in PC graphics," said Brian O'Rourke, principal analyst at In-Stat. "Pericom's latest PCIeG2/DP switch provides a unique solution for system designers to connect either DisplayPort or PCI Express graphics-output ports to monitors."

"Providing a point-to-point PCIeG2/DP switching solution through a single PCB skew allows easy and inexpensive support to both low-cost embedded graphics as well as an upgrade path to high-end accelerator cards," said Shaf Rahman, Pericom's senior marketing director for Switch and Interface Solutions. "As an industry-first offering to customers, we already have design wins with many Tier-1 companies in the PC computing world."

    PI3PCIE2612-A/B Key Features and Benefits
    -- In a typical 1:2 DeMux configuration, the device offers 4 DP channels
       or 4 PCIeG2 lanes, providing the highest possible resolution. It also
       offers Aux channel for training sequence, and HPD for connectivity
       detection.
    -- Low R-on / C-on assures maximum signal transfer and low distortion.
    -- With bandwidth of 2.5GHz at -5dB, the device is well equipped to handle
       both DP signals at 2.7Gbps and PCIeG2 signals at 5.0Gbps.
    -- Low crosstalk of -35dB at 2.5GHz minimizes transmission noise, and high
       isolation of -35dB at 2.5GHz helps minimize leakage current between the
       source and the drain.
    -- Low channel-to-channel skew of less than 35ns and bit-to-bit skew of
       less than 7ps, signals paths improves synchronization.
    -- High 8KV contact ESD protection on the DP path potentially eliminates
       external ESD protection devices.
    -- The device is offered in 56-TQFN (5mm x 11mm, 0.5 pad pitch) package,
       operating at 3.3V power supply with two pin-out versions to comply with
       ATX and BTX style PC motherboards.

For more on PCIeG2 and DP graphics switch product offerings, please visit www.pericom.com.

Pricing & Availability

PI3PCIE2612-A and PI3PCIE2612-B are available now in production quantities and are offered in Pb-free & Green packaging. 10Ku OEM pricing is $1.35.

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About Pericom:

Pericom Semiconductor Corporation NASDAQ: PSEM enables serial connectivity complete solutions for the computing, communications and consumer markets. Pericom's analog, digital and mixed-signal integrated circuits and its SaRonix-eCera(TM) frequency control products are essential in the timing, switching, bridging and conditioning of high-speed signals required by today's ever-increasing speed-and-bandwidth-demanding applications. Company headquarters are in San Jose, California, with design centers and technical sales and support offices globally. www.pericom.com

PCI Express(R) is a trademark of PCI SIG (www.pcisig.org).

DisplayPort is a trademark of VESA (www.vesa.org)