1996-11-08 , S/IC-179/290

Philips' 200 Mbps 3-Port PHY Chip Joins 1394-1995 Link Layer Announcement for Complete 1394 Peripheral Support

Eindhoven, The Netherlands -- 8 November 1996 -- Philips Semiconductors today announced the PDI1394P11, a 3-port, 200 Mbps IEEE 1394-1995 Physical Layer Interface, offering unprecedented price/performance. Also announced today is a PDI1394L11 Link Layer Controller -- the two chip set specifically targets the connection of set-top boxes, digital VCRs, camcorders, and other 1394-1995 digital/video consumer peripherals to multimedia PCs and workstations.

The PDI1394P11 device is fully compliant to the IEEE 1394-1995 specification -- a standard that computer and consumer electronics companies are moving toward to connect high speed plug and play peripherals. In particular, it is the best way to connect new digital VCRs, camcorders, and set-top boxes to the personal computer.

According to Allen Light, Technical Marketing Manager for Digital Interface Products, "The consumer electronics market is highly competitive and very cost sensitive. Our 200 Mbps physical layer devices offer the highest 1394-1995 performance available today, at half the cost of similar products."

The IEEE 1394-1995 standard provides for simultaneous real time (isochronous) data transfers and non-time dependent (asynchronous) data transfers, allowing devices with real-time data requirements, such as live digital video from a camcorder to share the same bus as a non-real time device, such as a computer disk drive. With isochronous data transfer, unlike the asynchronous buses common on PCs today, data is delivered at a constant and reliable rate -- eliminating the need for expensive video RAM.

The PDI1394P11 is hot pluggable, allowing a true plug-and-play mode by permitting equipment such as peripherals to be interchanged without having either to power up or power down equipment. The device also allows the serial bus to self-configure and identify the equipment being connected. The PDI1394P11 is powered by a single 3.3V power supply, and inputs are 5V tolerant.

Pricing in volume quantities for the PDI1394P11 is approximately US$5.00 in LQFP64 packaging. For pricing outside the United States, please contact your local Philips Semiconductors sales office or authorized Philips distributor. Samples will be available in November.

Philips Semiconductors, a division of Philips Electronics NV, headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is the eleventh largest semiconductor supplier in the world and the third largest supplier of discretes in the world. Philips Semiconductors' innovations in digital audio, video, and mobile technology position the company as a leader in the consumer, multimedia and wireless communications markets. Sales offices are located in all major markets around the world and are supported by regional systems labs.