High-Speed Serial Data Link

N/Aonductors' GigaSTAR chipset is a universal, high-speed, point-to-point communications link offering transfer of serial data at up to 2.64 Gbits/s over extended distances of up to 30 meters. GigaSTAR, which stands for Gigabit/s Serial Transmitter and Receiver, is based on a new protocol-free and operating system-independent data transmission architecture. Extremely low latency, minimal overhead, and high EMI immunity are said to make GigaSTAR a suitable choice for connecting devices in such high performance applications as telecommunications, instrumentation & control, and imaging. By connecting multiple GigaSTAR units in parallel, even greater bandwidth can be achieved for demanding Internet/Intranet applications, such as video servers.

Capable of transferring data at up to 2.64 Gbits/s over standard twisted-pair cable (1.32 Gbits/s x 2 channels), the GigaSTAR chipset includes the INGT165B transmitter chip and INGR165B receiver chip. The transmitter converts a 36-bit wide parallel data bus into a serial data stream. The differential outputs can drive standard STP copper cables up to 30 meters. For greater distances, fiber optic cables can be used up to 200 meters. The receiver converts and returns the serial data without protocol overhead to the original 36-bit wide parallel form.

GigaSTAR provides high availability transmission and uses 10% of its bandwidth for link control and synchronization operations. GigaSTAR's exceptionally low 40 ns latency allows designers to develop systems capable of performing with new levels of precision.

To facilitate design-in, GigaSTAR is available as a chipset; a compact, piggyback module that can be easily adapted to any system environment; and as a plug-and-play application kit. The piggyback module delivers all the functionality of a full duplex high speed serial link with 2.64 Gbit/s (330 Mbyte/s) bandwidth. It is comprised of the GigaSTAR transmit and receive chips, as well as a few external components. The transmitter converts parallel data of up to 36 bits to a serial bit stream. The receiver converts the serial bit stream to the original, parallel data format, fully transparent and with no protocol overhead. The duplex high-speed serial signals are available at a DB-9 (Sub-D) connector that is compatible with industry-standard STP cables.

The GigaSTAR application kit allows designers to easily build a working, full-duplex, 2.64-Gbit/s link in less than 10 minutes. The kit includes the piggyback module, software, loopback plug, shielded twisted pair cabling, and PC interface cable.

The GigaSTAR technology is ideal in a broad range of applications where high speed transmission of serial data is required. Examples include in-system communications (for distances above one meter) to fast scanning and printing, mass storage connections, multi-channel imaging, telecommunication switching, high-speed sensors, industrial control devices, high-resolution displays, and data broadcast for video servers.

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