Digital ICs/DSP: Digital Crosspoint Switches Deliver 1.6 Gbits/s Per Port

Dec. 18, 2003

A pair of video crosspoint switches, optimized for broadcast video applications, offers designers a 72- by 72- or 144- by 144-port configuration. The M21131V and M21151V, respectively, support data rates of 1.6 Gbits/s on each channel, permitting any combination of standard-definition (143 to 540 Mbits/s) or high-definition (1.4835 or 1.485 Gbits/s) digital video traffic. On-chip programmable input equalization circuitry removes deterministic jitter and enables the 1.6-Gbit/s signals to be received through 60-in. PF4 pc-board traces and four backplane connectors without any power penalty or bit errors. Output preemphasis circuits further enhance the backplane drive capability without consuming any additional power. I/O termination circuits are included on the chips as well. The crosspoint switches operate from a single supply and consume just 6 and 12 W, respectively, for the M21131V and M21151V with all channels configured and active. In lots of 1000 units, the 72-by-72 switch costs $495, while the 144-by-144 device is $950. Both video crosspoint switches are housed in 1156-contact ceramic ball-grid-array packages. Samples are immediately available.

Mindspeed Technologies Inc.www.mindspeed.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.