Gennum Introduces Next-Generation 3 Gb/s Broadcast Solutions With Best-in-Class Power and Performance

Significantly Expanded 3 Gb/s Product Line Features up to 55 Percent Lower Power, 50 Percent Performance Improvement

Significantly expanding its portfolio to include products with optimized performance and power for 3 Gb/s video applications, Gennum Corporation (TSX:GND) today announced seven new products that include new equalizers, reclockers and cable drivers. Featuring substantial improvements in jitter performance over previous-generation and competitive solutions, the new products also feature up to a 55 percent improvement in power consumption. In addition, the expanded offering gives designers the flexibility to choose the product that best meets their price, performance, power and form factor requirements.

The new 3 Gb/s products will be on display next week at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show, Booth #SU9111, April 20-23, in Las Vegas as part of Gennum's end-to-end 3Gb/s solution for video broadcast applications.

"Leveraging its leadership position in HD, Gennum was first out of the gate with 3 Gb/s products, and now continues its leadership as the only company to offer both industry-leading performance and power in its video broadcast solutions," said Vijay Sharma, director of A/V connectivity, at Gennum. "Video broadcast equipment suppliers not only want best-in-class solutions, but also want to partner with suppliers that can satisfy their needs today and in the future. As a large, stable supplier and pioneer in the video broadcast market, we ensure that customers can maintain their competitive edge in the 3Gb/s market and beyond."

The end-to-end product line gives designers increased architectural flexibility, enabling them to meet a myriad of requirements for video broadcast applications. In addition, increased performance means that either longer cable lengths or more sophisticated feature sets can now be supported, while reduced power consumption leads to reduced cooling and energy costs. The products are targeted at a wide range of video broadcast applications including routers, distribution amplifiers, camera control units, video servers and more.

The GS2985 reclocker consumes only 180 milliwatts, representing up to a 55 percent reduction in power consumption compared to previous solutions. At the system level, this can translate into a savings of 163 watts when implemented in a 576x576 router. The new reclocker features 50 percent lower jitter than previous generation devices (0.06UI of output jitter at 3Gb/s), and an expanded feature set including input trace equalization, output de-emphasis, and serial control. By offering a higher performance reclocking solution, Gennum reduces system component count and subsequently lowers bill of materials (BOM) cost for video broadcast equipment suppliers. The device is offered in a 64-pin QFN package. Two additional reclocking solutions will be offered in 40-pin (GS2986) and 32-pin (GS2965) QFN packages to satisfy smaller form factor designs.

Featuring 17 percent lower jitter compared to previous-generation devices, the GS2984 cable equalizer offers the industry's best jitter performance (0.25UI at 120m for 3Gb/s data rates). The product also supports 0.3UI at 140m, the industry's longest cable length for a discrete equalizer at 3Gb/s data rates. This added performance ensures that the devices can support the industry's longest 3 Gb/s cable runs. A second cable equalizer, the GS2964, will be offered for price-sensitive applications with less demanding performance requirements.

The new GS2988 cable driver features reduced output jitter and power consumption, and supports new features such as input trace equalization, output signal presence and a wider output launch swing. A second cable driver, the GS2989, includes a second output to satisfy the needs of distribution applications.

All of the new products are fully compliant with the SMPTE 424M, 292, 344M and 259M standards, and can operate in an industrial temperature range of -40 degrees C to +85 degrees C.

Solutions Extend Gennum's Leadership Position in 3 Gb/s SDI Design

In 2006, Gennum announced the industry's first 3 Gb/s reclockers, equalizers and cable drivers, and last year introduced the industry's first single-chip 3 Gb/s transmit and receive solutions. The company continues to expand its portfolio, and recently unveiled 3 Gb/s video optical modules and receivers (www.gennum.com/newsroom), completing an end-to-end offering for the video broadcast market. For more information on Gennum's 3 Gb/s offering, please visit www.gennum.com/3GSDI.

Availability

The GS2984 adaptive cable equalizer is available now in production quantities. The GS2964 equalizer is sampling now, with production in July. The GS2985 reclocker is sampling in May, with production planned for July. The GS2965 and GS2986 reclockers, as well as the GS2988 and GS2989 cable drivers, are sampling in June, with production planned for August.

About Gennum

Gennum Corporation (TSX:GND) designs innovative semiconductor solutions and intellectual property (IP) cores for the world's most advanced consumer connectivity, enterprise, video broadcast and data communications products. Leveraging the company's proven optical, analog and mixed-signal products and IP, Gennum enables multimedia and data communications products to send and receive information without compromising the signal integrity. A recognized award-winner for advances in high definition (HD) broadcasting, Gennum is headquartered in Burlington, Canada, and has global design, research and development and sales offices in Canada, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Taiwan, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Gennum and the Gennum logo are trademarks of Gennum Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. (C)Gennum Corporation, 2009.

SOURCE: Gennum Corporation

Gennum Corporation Robin Vaitonis (905) 632-2999 x2110 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.gennum.com Orr & Company Diane Orr (408) 358-1617 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.