Vitesse Intensifies Focus on Broadcast Video Marketplace; Introduces Additional High Performance Integrated Circuits for HDTV.

Business Editors

CAMARILLO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 10, 2000

Vitesse Semiconductor Corp. (Nasdaq:VTSS) today introduced two high performance SMPTE 292M compliant integrated circuits (ICs) that will further strengthen its position in the broadcast video marketplace.

The VSC6511 -- a dual function device -- provides engineers with a single chip that integrates the serializer, deserializer, or deserializer with reclocking output function, and the VSC6501 for clock and data recovery.

These two ICs offer new opportunities to designers of routing, production, and master control switchers, as well as video distribution amplifiers, studio cameras and video tape recorders, non linear editors and other HDTV applications to develop highly integrated, smaller footprint, and lower power serial digital interfaces.

VSC6511 HDTV Serializer/Deserializer

The VSC6511 is a dual function CMOS (silicon) device with user-selectable operating modes including serializer, deserializer, and deserializer with reclocker output.

Depending upon the selected mode, the VSC6511 can scramble or descramble the incoming data, generate/insert CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Checksum) information or check and indicate CRC errors, re-time the serial data, frame the incoming data and provide TRS-ID (Timing Reference Signal ID) indication on SAV/EAV events.

Non Return to Zero Inverted (NRZI) encoding and decoding is also available depending upon the selected mode. Integration of the above functions into a single chip enables a turnkey HDTV transmit or HDTV receive serial digital interface that effectively reduces power, footprint and cost.

The VSC6511 dissipates significantly lower power than existing solutions -- up to one-half or less of competing solutions, which can typically draw up to 2.5 watts. There are also two or four user configurable 75-ohm cable driver outputs in the serializer or deserializer with reclocker modes of operation.

Both cable drivers have outputs that are SMPTE 292M compliant. In the deserializer mode with the reclocking function enabled, the serial outputs can be used for local monitoring or loop through applications.

VSC6501 -- Clock and Data Recovery IC

The VSC6501 provides a SMPTE 292M compliant bit serial interface IC that performs clock and data recovery from incoming HDTV serial digital signals. Also integrated on chip are selectable dual or quad 75-ohm SMPTE 292M compliant cable driver outputs. The Clock Recovery Unit (CRU) also has a BYPASS capability for those applications requiring multi-standard capabilities.

The integrated dual cable drivers provide a cost effective solution from a board footprint, power, and cost perspective. The VSC6501 CRU core has a typical power dissipation of 300mW with each cable driver stage dissipating approximately 250mW or less, providing a more complete solution with significantly lower power requirements than other competing products.

"Both the VSC6511 and the VSC6501 are the first in a family of new product initiatives that complement our line of HDTV capable crosspoint switches, such as the VSC830/834/835/836 and VSC851/852 switches," stated Tom Kapucija, product marketing manager for the Advanced Transmission Division at Vitesse.

"We have utilized our expertise in telecom high speed CMOS design to provide the broadcast video market with an integrated low power, small footprint, and low cost serial digital interface solution for the next generation of HDTV equipment," continued Kapucija.

These 3.3V CMOS ICs are provided in a low profile 64 pin 10mm exposed pad TQFP package. Samples are available now with production quantities available in the September 2000 timeframe. In quantities of 1,000, the VSC6511 is priced under $71 and the VSC6501 is priced under $56.

About Vitesse

Vitesse Semiconductor is the leading designer and supplier of innovative, high performance semiconductors utilizing state-of-the-art processes -- for the communication equipment manufacturers of next generation DWDM and optical networking, as well as storage area networking ICs and enclosure management products that monitor and communicate critical reliability and availability information.

The company's products address the needs of Core, Access, Optical and Enterprise network, as well as HDTV, equipment manufacturers who demand a combination of high speed, high complexity and low power dissipation.

Vitesse has headquarters in Camarillo, and manufactures volume ICs at its two fabrication facilities in Camarillo and Colorado Springs. Company/product information can be found on the Web at www.vitesse.com.