CYPRESS UNVEILS QUADPORT DATAPATH SWITCH ELEMENT SAMPLES.

Cypress Semiconductor (NYSE:CY) has unveiled samples of the 16 Kbits x 18 and 32 Kbits x 18 versions of the innovative QuadPor Datapath Switch Element (DSE) family. These devices join the higher capacity QuadPort DSE (configured as 64 Kbits x 18) -- currently in volume production -- to offer customers a wider range of storage capacity offerings for data path management. This high-performance family of communications devices targets high-end storage area networks (SANs), high-speed wide-area networks (WANs) and wireless infrastructure (WIN) applications.

"The QuadPort Datapath Switch Element has changed the way many communications customers design their data path," said Christopher Norris, Cypress's data communications division vice president. "By offering three different options, customers will be able to choose the device that fits their specific needs in terms of storage capacity and price."

When considered early in the design cycle, the QuadPort DSE family shows its strength as a communications data path manager because its combination of logic and memory creates a non-blocking switch architecture. For example, the devices may be used as:

-- a 4 x 4 switch fabric among four FPGAs, CPLDs, ASICs, PHYs or a series of digital signal processors (DSPs);

-- a redundant data path generator that allows users to input a single stream of data into one port and then output identical data streams at variable data rates on each of the other ports for fault tolerance;

-- a packet header manipulation engine, by using two ports to read and write an entire packet and one or two ports to monitor and/or change the header; or

-- a replacement for the data path FPGAs, thus lowering the logic gate count for control functions.

"By inserting the QuadPort DSE directly in the data path next to a backplane physical layer device such as the Cypress HOTLink family, the QuadPort DSE can eliminate the need for using logic in the data path," said Geoff Charubin, marketing director for Cypress's data communications division. "Because two ports can handle the data flow from the physical layer device to the rest of the system, the remaining two free ports can be connected to a processor or programmable logic device to control and manipulate the data. By refocusing the programmable logic's function from data path to pure control, the system designer can lower the gate count of the programmable logic device as well as the I/O requirements. This enables designers to use the more efficient CPLD architecture, exemplified by the Cypress Delta39K, instead of cumbersome and costly high-gate-count field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)."

All the devices in the QuadPort DSE family offer four completely independent ports that can simultaneously access the data storage array and operate at different frequency domains. Each port can read or write data at 133 MHz, giving the device up to 9.6 Gbps of data throughput or bandwidth. Offered in a 272-ball BGA package, measuring 27 mm x 27 mm with a 1.27 mm pitch, these devices also come equipped with a Built-In Self-Test (BIST) and JTAG boundary scan for a high degree of manufacturability.

When used in conjunction with the Cypress OC-48 port SERDES, Delta39K CPLDs and HOTLink family of backplane physical-layer devices, the QuadPort DSE family provides a complete system solution for customers building communications line cards. Communications systems customers who are already familiar with Cypress's Quad Data Rate RAM, Beast FIFO, synchronous SRAM, CPLD, and clock solutions will benefit from the 16 Kbits x 18 and 32 Kbits x 18 QuadPort Switch devices.

About Cypress

Cypress Semiconductor is a provider of high-performance integrated circuit solutions to fast-growing markets, including data communications, telecommunications, computation, consumer products, and industrial control. With a focus on emerging communications applications, Cypress's product portfolios include high-speed physical layer devices (PHYs), network search engines (NSEs), network coprocessors, networking-optimized and micropower static RAMs; high-bandwidth multi-port and FIFO memories; high-density programmable logic devices; timing technology for PCs and other digital systems; and controllers for Universal Serial Bus (USB).

More than two-thirds of Cypress's sales come from fast-growing communications markets and dynamic companies such as Alcatel, Cisco, Ericsson, Lucent, Motorola, Nortel Networks, and 3Com. Cypress's ability to mix and match its broad portfolio of intellectual property enables targeted, integrated solutions for high-speed systems that feed bandwidth-hungry Internet applications. Cypress aims to become the preferred silicon supplier for Internet switching systems and for every Internet data stream to pass through at least one Cypress IC.

Cypress employs approximately 4,000 people worldwide with international headquarters in San Jose, California. Its shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CY.

Cypress can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.cypress.com.

For more information, call 408/943-2817.