January 27, 2003 - Leveraging its strengths in data converter design and low voltage differential signaling (LVDS), National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE:NSM) today announced the capability of integrating serialized LVDS outputs into analog-to-digital converters with an embedded clock. At very high speeds, the outputs of an A/D converter generate noise, resulting in lower dynamic performance and high system reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI). The industry addressed this problem with parallel LVDS outputs with low voltage swings. National improved the solution by developing technology with serialized LVDS outputs, further improving dynamic performance and reducing system EMI.
“National proved this technology by integrating an LVDS serializer with a 10-bit, 40 MSPS A/D converter, which resulted in superior performance over all industry-leading 10-bit, 40 MSPS parallel products, and is on display at National’s booth at DesignCon,” said Robert Eddy, marketing director for National’s Data Conversion Systems product group. “National will continue to strengthen its low power, CMOS, high performance, high speed A/D portfolio by releasing products incorporating serialized LVDS outputs over the next two quarters. This technology enables National to deliver higher levels of integration which were prohibited in the past by pin count and a reduction in A/D converter performance due to noise.”
A great example of the impact of this technology is shown in medical imaging systems. In ultrasound systems using 128 A/D converter channels, the integrated LVDS output structure with embedded clock eliminates 1,024 traces on the board. This reduction in trace count provides a huge cost savings and facilitates a smaller form factor while greatly reducing EMI.
National’s 10-bit, 40 MSPS A/D converter technology with parallel outputs (10 pins) updates the digital data at a rate of 40 MSPS. The same converter with serialized LVDS outputs with an embedded clock transforms the digital data into a single LVDS serial data (2 pins) stream with an embedded clock at a data rate of 400 MSPS. Since the clock is embedded in the data stream, clock-to-data skew is eliminated. This technology also offers a synchronization mode, which allows a deserializer to establish lock to a signal within specified lock times.
About LVDS
LVDS technology allows serial data transmission at speeds as high as thousands of megabits per second. The low voltage signal swing and current-mode driver outputs create very low noise and provide very low power consumption, which is almost flat across frequency. Also, differential data transmission used in LVDS is less susceptible to common mode noise.
Developed to enable high speed data transmission in various communications infrastructure applications such as base stations, switches, add/drop multiplexers, consumer applications such as set-top boxes, home/commercial video links, and in medical ultrasound imaging and digital copiers, this technology enables flexibility in system partitioning. LVDS technology allows flexible architectures wherein the system designer can place analog and digital signal processing blocks on separate boards and then transmit the digitized data from the A/D converter over cables or back planes.
“Integrating the SerDes and LVDS serial outputs directly onto the A/D converter exemplifies the leadership in new solutions that National Semiconductor provides for our customers, “ said Stephen Kempainen, director of marketing for LVDS products. “We will continue to drive the market with more innovatively integrated LVDS products.”
National Semiconductor’s new technology offering will be demonstrated in National’s booth #826 at the DesignCon tradeshow at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, California, from January 27-30.
About National Semiconductor
National Semiconductor is the premier analog company driving the information age. Combining real-world analog and state-of-the-art digital technology, the company is focused on the fast growing markets for wireless handsets; displays; information infrastructure, and information appliances. With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National reported sales of $1.5 billion for its most recent fiscal year and has about 10,000 employees worldwide. Additional company and product information is available on the World Wide Web at www.national.com.
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