Date: 06/09/2010

New SDI cable equilizer from National Semiconductor for longer reach of broadcast video signals

National Semiconductor has introduced a new serial digital interface (SDI) cable equalizer which National says extends the reach of broadcast video signals by 40% (200m at 3 Gbps) while delivering half the power (115 mW typical) of comparable equalizers.

The LMH0394 provides a reach of 200m at 3Gbps, 220m at HD and 400m at standard definition (SD). This device includes an automatic power-down mode that National says reduces power consumption by 85 percent in the absence of input power. The LMH0394 provides a typical jitter is less than 0.15 unit intervals (UI) of output jitter up to 100m, 0.20 UI up to 140m and 0.40 UI up to 180m at 3G data rates, thus eliminating the need for input relocking of short-reach links.

The LMH0394's features low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) drivers with programmable offset, amplitude and output de-emphasis, a cable length indicator that can approximate cable lengths within 1m of accuracy, and support for passive external splitters. These features can be accessed through the LMH0394's SPI programming interface.

A dual output version named the LMH0395 is also available. This device has a low operating power, consuming 145 mW from a 2.5V supply. The chip's dual outputs remove the need for an external 1:2 buffer. Each of the outputs can be independently enabled and programmed to drive downstream devices with different input requirements and trace lengths.

Package:
The LMH0394 comes in a 4 mm by 4 mm, 16-pin LLP package.
The LMH0395 comes in a 4 mm by 4 mm, 24-pin LLP package.

Price:
LMH0394: Each US$21.95 for 1K pieces
LMH0395: Each US$22.95 for 1K pieces

Availability: Now in samples volumes in October 2010.

For more information visit: www.national.com/pf/LM/