Signal Switches operate at PCIe Gen2 data rate of 5 GBps.

Press Release Summary:



Providing Vcc operating range of 1.5-2.0 V, Signal Switches operate at PHY layer, and are used for I/O slot configuration in volume workstation, server, desktop video and gaming, storage, and telecom market segments. Model PI2PCIE2412 is 2-lane switch that provides 2:1 mux/demux operation via single select control, while Model PI2PCIE2422 provides bypass capability in addition to 2:1 mux/demux operation. They come in Pb-free, 42-contact 3.5 x 9 mm TQFN package.



Original Press Release:



Pericom Announces Industry First PCI Express® Gen2 Signal Switches Supporting 5.0Gbps Operation



SAN JOSE, Calif., May 21 - Pericom Semiconductor Corporation (NASDAQ:PSEM), a worldwide preferred supplier of PCI Express (PCIe) technology used for high speed switching, timing, bridging and signal integrity, today announced in conjunction with the PCI Special Interest Group (PCI-SIG), production availability of a new industry first family of high-performance signal switch products designed to operate at the PCIe Gen2 data rate of 5 gigabits-per-second (5Gbs).

The timely introduction of the new Pericom signal switches enable customers who are early adopters of the higher speed Gen2 PCIe technology to move forward earlier in their platform design cycles. Pericom Signal Switches operate at the Physical layer (PHY layer), and are used for I/O slot configuration in volume workstation, server, desktop video and gaming, storage, and telecom market segments.

"We estimate that the Gen2 adoption rate within the server and graphics market segments will be substantial and is driven by the early availability of Gen2 silicon from CPU and 3rd party IC vendors," said Jag Bolaria, senior analyst at The Linley Group. "Pericom is the first 3rd party vendor to announce production availability of Gen2 PCIe signal-switches, which are key components in the Gen2 IC ecosystem."

"We see the transition to PCIe Gen2 moving ahead quickly in higher-end workstations, servers and storage systems, with a Tier 1 design win and other customers initiated," said Shaf Rahman, Pericom's senior director of Switch and Interface Marketing. "Our signal switches accelerate their design process by providing cost effective and flexible mapping of multiple PCIe network ports or CPU root complex lanes to multiple internal slot connectors - a key requirement in many multiple I/O platforms."

The initial products of the Gen2 PCIe signal switch family are the PI2PCIE2412 and PI2PCIE2422. The PI2PCIE2412 is a 4-differential channel (2-lane) switch providing 2:1 mux/demux operation via a single select control. The PI2PCIE2422 provides bypass capability in addition to the 2:1 mux/demux operation.

The new Pericom Gen2 signal switches are the first of a number of Gen2 products to be announced and join the broadest PCI Express product offering in the industry, with Gen1 (2.5Gbs) product families of PCIe packet switches, signal switches, signal conditioners, bridges, physical layer, clock oscillators, and clock buffers - providing a complete PCI Express customer solution.

Pericom introduced the industry's first PCIe signal switch in 2004 to enable dual graphics slots for volume PC motherboard as the AGP graphics port migrated quickly to x16 PCIe. As PCIe now begins migration from 2.5Gbs to 5Gbs and high speed signal design margins shrink to almost zero, platform designers are faced with even greater switching, signal integrity, routing, and timing challenges. Pericom offers complete high-speed serial protocol solutions that enable successful production of leading edge platforms.

Pericom Differential Signal Switches are available for a variety of industry standard interface protocols in addition to PCI Express, including SAS, SATA, XAUI, Infiniband, HyperTransport, Ethernet, HDMI, DVI, USB and more.

Key Features of Pericom's GEN2 Signal Switch Products

o 5.0Gbps PCI-Express Gen-2 Differential-Signal Switch Products

o 1:2 mux/demux, and 1:2 mux/demux with bypass functions

o 4-differential channels / 2-PCIE lanes

o Very low skew, crosstalk and insertion loss

o High ESD tolerance

o Vcc Operating Range: 1.5 to 2.0V

o Device package: Pb-free & Green 42-contact TQFN, 3.5mm x 9mm

Pricing & Availability:

The PI2PCIE2412 and PI2PCIE2422 are Pb-free and green, and in full production today. Prices range as follows:

o PI2PCIE2412: $1.50 per 10K pieces

o PI2PCIE2422: $1.85 per 10K pieces

Samples, datasheets, application notes, IBIS models, and additional information can be found by visiting the company website. www.pericom.com/hdmi

High Resolution Press Graphic:

For high-resolution press graphic visit www.pericom.com/img/press/high/153_high.jpg

About Pericom:

Pericom Semiconductor Corporation (NASDAQ:PSEM) enables serial connectivity with the industry's most complete solutions for the computing, communications and consumer market segments. Pericom's analog, digital and mixed-signal integrated circuits, along with their SaRonix and eCERA frequency control products are essential in the timing, switching, bridging and conditioning of high-speed signals required by today's ever-increasing speed-and-bandwidth-demanding applications. Company headquarters are in San Jose, Calif., with design centers and technical sales and support offices globally. Please visit www.pericom.com/ for more information.

Source: Pericom Semiconductor Corporation

Marketing contact:
Shaf Rahman of Pericom Semiconductor Corporation,

+1-408-435-0800 x259,

srahman@pericom.com;

Web site: www.pericom.com/

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