Chip Enables Remote Monitoring Of Live Signals

With integrated VScope waveform viewing technology, the VSC3406, a 6.375-Gb/s multi-rate backplane transceiver employs the latest clock-data recovery (CDR) techniques and signal integrity toolset for backplane and interconnect design. The device is the first in a family of CDR chips to feature VScope waveform viewing technology that embeds an oscilloscope function into the receiver of the input CDR circuits. It provides six differential transmit and receive interfaces with on-chip termination, making it suitable for interfacing to a variety of media such as PCB traces, cables, or optoelectronic devices. Other features include a two-to-one rate multiplier mode that allows data multiplication up to 6.375Gbps to double bandwidth over existing backplanes. With a single reference clock input, the VSC3406 performs operations at any data rate between 0.125 and 6.375 Gb/s. Additionally, its non-blocking, multicast architecture allows configuration via a two-wire serial interface. Available now in an 81-pin, 10 mm x 10 mm FCBGA package, price for the VSC3406 is $60 each in volume quantities. VITESSE SEMICONDUCTOR CORP., Camarillo, CA. (800) 848-3773.