Communications: RapidIO Serial Switch Chip Offers Configurable Port Widths, Speeds

July 21, 2005

The Tsi564A serial RapidIO switch delivers a low-power solution with multiple port widths (up to four 4X lines or eight 1X links) and speed configurations (1.25, 2.5, or 3.125 Gbits/s). The chip builds on the patent-pending technology of the company's Tsi568A, which was released earlier this year but offers a smaller footprint for cost-sensitive systems. Able to support an aggregate bandwidth of 40 Gbits/s, the Tsi564A interconnects serial RapidIO processors and peripheral devices and can be used in hot-swappable systems. It's housed in a compact 21- by 21-mm, 399-ball BGA package and costs less than $59 apiece in volume. The company's RapidIO development tools and boards support the switch chip.

Tundra Semiconductor Corp.www.tundra.com

About the Author

Dave Bursky

Technologist

Dave Bursky, the founder of New Ideas in Communications, a publication website featuring the blog column Chipnastics – the Art and Science of Chip Design. He is also president of PRN Engineering, a technical writing and market consulting company. Prior to these organizations, he spent about a dozen years as a contributing editor to Chip Design magazine. Concurrent with Chip Design, he was also the technical editorial manager at Maxim Integrated Products, and prior to Maxim, Dave spent over 35 years working as an engineer for the U.S. Army Electronics Command and an editor with Electronic Design Magazine.