Fairchild Releases New High Performance LVDS Repeaters; Fairchild's LVDS Repeaters Enable Higher Performance With Better Signal Integrity.

Business/Technology Editors

DesignCon

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 28, 2002

Fairchild Semiconductor International (NYSE: FCS), a leader in I/O technology, expands its LVDS interface IC portfolio with four new LVDS repeaters. Today's announcement reinforces Fairchild's aim to be the premier supplier of backplane and interconnect devices.

The newest interface products include 1:1, 2:2, 4:4 and 8:8 LVDS repeaters, which are designed to provide signal-level translation and to buffer signals traveling across backplane or cable in multiple communications applications, including SONET/SDH, base stations, and multiple routing applications.

In the past, FPGA and ASIC devices required longer stub lengths between the device and the connector due to their high pin count and package orientation. This contributed to more complex impedance environments resulting in poor signal integrity. Designers can now place Fairchild's LVDS repeaters at a card's edge, successfully removing the effects of long stub traces. "This enables better signal integrity across backplane and cable environments," says Matt Johnson, Fairchild's LVDS product manager. "These repeaters enable LVDS signals to go farther and faster than before."

The LVDS repeaters can also be used for signal-level translation. Their wide common-mode range allows a designer to directly interface multiple I/O standards to LVDS levels, including direct interfacing to LVPECL (low voltage positive ECL), SSTL-2 (series stub-terminated logic), and HSTL (high-speed transceiver logic).

Fairchild's high-speed repeaters operate at greater than 800 Mbps, allowing interfacing to STS-1, STS-3, and STS-12 levels. End systems can achieve higher bandwidth capability with short 1.5-ns (max) prop delay, low peak-to-peak jitter, tight 35-ps (typical) channel-to-channel skew, and low power. The FIN1101, for example, dissipates one-fourth the power of competing products.

Pricing begins at $0.90 each for the FIN1101, a 1:1 repeater, in 8-lead SOIC or US8; and $1.75 each for the FIN1102, a 2:2 repeater, in 14-lead TSSOP. Both are currently available for sampling and production. Pricing begins at $3.25 each for the FIN1104, a 4:4 repeater, in 24-lead TSSOP, available in February; and $5.95 each for the FIN1108, an 8:8 repeater, in 48-lead TSSOP, available for production in March. Pricing is based on 1,000-piece quantities.

Fairchild's EnSigna(TM) Lab and EnSigna Web support system design, simulation, and evaluation for these and other ICs used in backplane and interconnect applications. The EnSigna lab is staffed with industry experts in the optimization of throughput and signal integrity for advanced applications. EnSigna Web services are free of charge and accessible 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. For more information and samples, contact Fairchild Semiconductor Customer Response Group at [phone], fax [phone] or visit Fairchild's website at http://www.fairchildsemi.com/products/interface/.

Graphics are available upon request.

Fairchild Semiconductor International

Fairchild Semiconductor International (NYSE: FCS) is a leading global supplier of high performance products for multiple end markets. With a focus on developing leading edge power and interface solutions to enable the electronics of today and tomorrow, Fairchild's components are used in computing, communications, consumer, industrial, automotive and aerospace applications. Fairchild's 10,000 employees design, manufacture and market power, analog & mixed signal, interface, logic, and optoelectronics products from its headquarters in South Portland, Maine, USA and numerous locations around the world. Please contact us on the web at www.fairchildsemi.com.