Cypress Introduces Industry's First Physical Layer Port Protection Switch for Video Systems; YLink(TM) Solution Works Seamlessly With HOTLink-On-Demand(TM) Video SERDES to Simplify SDI Video Redundancy Design.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE:CY), a world leader in video physical layer devices (PHYs), today introduced the industry's first broadcast video link protection switch that provides cost-effective redundancy throughout an entire video network. The YLink port protection switch offers users an easy-to-implement, economical way to guarantee signal integrity and uninterrupted service for live broadcast video systems, instantaneously switching a video signal to an alternate link when a preset error condition exists. Before the introduction of the YLink solution, the only way to provide redundancy was to implement multiple line cards or complete systems, each of which can cost thousands of dollars while leading to long switch-over times causing visible disruption of video.

The YLink SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) Digital Video Protection Switch is designed for use with Cypress's HOTLink-On-Demand(TM) family of video SerDes to offer dual link protection for point-to-point SMPTE SDI communication links (both HD-SDI and SD-SDI). The YLink switch solution automatically detects the system data rate and identifies protocols, including SD-SDI, HD-SDI and, in the future, DVB-ASI. It takes advantage of the HOTLink II SerDes technology and uses Cypress' patent-pending link protection technology to offer an easy-to-implement physical layer level solution for link protection. The YLink port protection switch error protection features are user-programmable and can be bypassed, allowing for custom end-user configuration.

"Our YLink solution provides a unique solution for video equipment makers to reduce costs substantially on current redundant systems or add redundancy inexpensively to new systems and at the same time provides extremely fast switch over times," said Erin Kettwig, product manager for Cypress physical layer devices. "The YLink devices allow our customers to provide a high-value added and very flexible feature for their end customers in a simple design at lower cost."

In a related announcement, Cypress today also introduced the CYV15G0101 and CYV15G0102 video equalizers, which provide unmatched distance range and power consumption specifications for digital video systems. Now Cypress offers one of the industry's richest portfolio of broadcast video solutions, including the HOTLink-On-Demand family of video SERDES, the YLink switch and a video equalizer solution. This offers customers the service and procurement advantages of vendor consolidation with high performance video devices.

The YLink transmitter (CYV15G0101YT) and YLink receive protection switch (CYV15G0101YR) each connect to a HOTLink II Transceiver (e.g., CYV15G0204TRB). When an adjustable error threshold on an active port is exceeded, the YLink device can be configured to automatically switch the data to the alternate port with negligible data loss. Protection switching is transparent to client end-to-end ports, and no manipulation of client data or protocols is required. Remote monitoring and control is supported through an external user interface. In addition, the YLink device can be used for regular dual SMPTE Link transport by bypassing protection switching. The device can also be configured as a regular 2-to-1 video switch.

Cypress will demonstrate the new YLink receive port protection switch, along with HOTLink-On-Demand SERDES and the new equalizers in booth 11.141 at the International Broadcasters Conference (IBC) to be held at the RAI Convention Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands from September 9 through September 13, 2005. For more information, or to make an appointment to see a short demonstration at IBC, interested parties can send an email to [e-mail].

Pricing and Availability

The CYV15G0101YR is offered in a 256-ball BGA package. Pricing in 100-unit quantities is $100. Samples of the new device will be available in late October 2005, with full production availability slated for December 2005. The CYV15G0101YT will be available in Q106. A high-resolution image of the new products can be downloaded at www.cypress.com/CYV15G0101YRphoto.

About Cypress

Cypress solutions are at the heart of any system that is built to perform: consumer, computation, data communications, automotive, industrial, and solar power. Leveraging a strong commitment to customer service and performance-based process and manufacturing expertise, Cypress's product portfolio includes a broad selection of wired and wireless USB devices, CMOS image sensors, timing solutions, network search engines, specialty memories, high-bandwidth synchronous and micropower memory products, optical solutions, and reconfigurable mixed-signal arrays. Cypress stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CY. More information about the company is available online at www.cypress.com.

Cypress and the Cypress logo are registered trademarks and HOTLink II and YLink are trademarks of Cypress Semiconductor Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.