EqcoLogic Announces Low-cost, Long-range COAX Solution for High Speed FireWire.

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- EqcoLogic NV, an analog circuit designer headquartered in Belgium, has demonstrated a new transceiver chip that allows IEEE 1394b signals to be transmitted two ways simultaneously, at 1 Gbit/s (S800 standard), over a single COAX cable. The new device, named "EQCO 800SC," incorporates EqcoLogic's proprietary equalizer technology, allowing data transfer over extended lengths of any COAX cables. The company has transceivers for both 50 ohm and 75 ohm cable, matching the impedance of normal TV-type cable as well as the thin COAX typically used in automotive and instrumentation applications.

The new EQCO 800SC circuit will be sold alongside the company's existing EQCO 400T device, which is used to deliver long-haul IEEE 1394 connectivity over Cat5 or Cat6 UTP cable. EqcoLogic is sampling the EQCO 800SC now, with production set to begin during the summer of 2007. Costs are $8 each in samples and small quantities. High volume pricing is available on request.

Peter Helfet, EqcoLogic's CEO said, "This product can radically improve the performance and economics of FireWire connections. Simple COAX cables and connectors are far cheaper than conventional FireWire cables and the transceiver is a lower cost solution than optical transceivers used with either plastic or glass fibres." EqcoLogic is developing reference designs to make it straightforward for customers to integrate the chip into simple adaptor/extender devices and also into full-function hub solutions. "We are working with a number of key partners and customers and have already had the EQCO 800SC in industrial, camera, automotive and home networking applications," he added.

Among other partner companies, EqcoLogic is working with Texas Instrument, the leader in IEEE 1394 connectivity. "TI is working with EqcoLogic to deliver CAT5 (UTP) and coaxial cable solutions, said Zephra Freeman, business development manager at TI's Digital Interface Business Unit. "EqcoLogic's robust and reliable solutions add value to out own range of PHY and Link layer devices. Working together, TI and EqcoLogic provide customers with leading-edge solutions for growing 13904 adoption in consumer electronics, home networking, PC and industrial markets."

James Snider, executive director of the 1394 Trade Association, said, "New connectivity solutions like EqcoLogic's equalizer and transceiver products add low cost and flexibility to the speed and reliability of 1394 links, giving customers new options in industrial, consumer and automotive applications."

About EqcoLogic

EqcoLogic is a Belgian company, spun-out of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Formed in 2005, the company is commercialising the University's innovative Equalizer technology made available through an exclusive world-wide license. EqcoLogic is a fabless semiconductor vendor, developing and supplying complete Equalizer circuits; the company also sub-licenses the core technology and product designs in certain markets. Along with exceptional signal recovery, EqcoLogic chips offer good operational tolerances and low power consumption. Designed for standard CMOS processes, the circuits can also be integrated into other communications chips. EqcoLogic is targeting video, audio, automotive and server applications with a number of business partners.