National Semiconductor Introduces Industry's Lowest Jitter 3-Gbps SDI Equalizer

PowerWise Cable Equalizer Guarantees Lowest Max Jitter Across Cable Lengths

LAS VEGAS, April 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
BROADCASTERS -- A new PowerWise(R) 3-Gbps (3G) serial digital interface (SDI)
cable equalizer (EQ) from National Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE: NSM) simplifies
the design of broadcast video routers, production switchers, distribution
amplifiers, editing and conversion equipment. The energy-saving LMH0384 offers
the industry's lowest output alignment jitter across cable lengths allowing
hardware designers more headroom for designing within system jitter budgets.
Tighter jitter budgets translate to cleaner system design, fewer bit errors
and crisper images.

The LMH0384 is the only EQ to guarantee less than 0.3 unit intervals (UI) of
output jitter from zero to 110m of Belden 1694A coaxial cable at 2.97-Gbps. It
equalizes up to 140m of cable at 3G rates, 200m at high-definition (HD) rates
and 400m at standard-definition (SD) rates. The device adaptively adjusts
equalization levels based on cable length to receive incoming signals and
provide low-jitter transmission of 1080p high-definition (HD) broadcast video
at up to 60 frames per second over a single coaxial cable. National will
demonstrate the LMH0384 at the NAB show in Las Vegas from April 20-24 at Booth
SU2804.

National's LMH0384 supports two modes of operation: pin mode and register
mode. In pin mode, the EQ is fully backward-compatible with National's other
SDI equalizers. Register mode opens up a suite of advanced features --
accessible via serial peripheral interface (SPI) bus -- that enable
flexibility to change and diagnose product parameters without requiring a
board re-spin. These include automatic power down (auto-sleep), cable length
indicator, LVDS drivers with programmable offset and amplitude, and
programmable input launch amplitude to facilitate operation with external
splitters. The LMH0384's 1.05V to 1.85V adjustable output common-mode voltage
eliminates the need for level-translation buffers by facilitating direct
coupling to most field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and signal
conditioning devices.

The EQ offers active sensing features to minimize power consumption and reduce
cooling requirements in customer systems. For example, in the event of cable
detachment or loss of signal, the LMH0384 enters a power-saving auto sleep
mode to reduce power consumption by 85 percent. In active mode, the EQ
automatically shifts equalization stages at shorter cable lengths (less than
140m) to reduce power consumption by 20 percent. The EQ typically consumes 230
mW of power from a single 3.3V supply.

The LMH0384 is a part of National's broadcast video portfolio that enables
Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) 424M, SMPTE 292M
and SMPTE 259M uncompressed serial digital video routing and processing
applications. The LMH0384 also fully supports the digital video
broadcasting-asynchronous serial interface (DVB-ASI) standard at 270 Mbps for
compressed video distribution in head-end equipment.

Pricing and Availability
Offered in a 16-LLP(R) package, the LMH0384 is priced at $21 each in 100-unit
quantities. The LMH0384 is sampling now, with production quantities scheduled
for May 2009. For more information, or to order samples and an evaluation
board, visit www.national.com/pf/LM/LMH0384.html.

Solutions Supporting Video Systems
National's high-performance, energy-efficient analog technology can help video
engineers differentiate their products. National provides the key functions
every system engineer requires, including operational amplifiers, power
management, data conversion, interface and serial digital video products,
audio subsystems, display ICs and networking products.

About National Semiconductor
National Semiconductor creates energy-efficient analog and mixed-signal
semiconductors. Its PowerWise(R) products enable systems that consume less
power, extend battery life and generate less heat. Headquartered in Santa
Clara, Calif., National reported sales of $1.89 billion for fiscal 2008 which
ended May 25, 2008. Additional company and product information is available at
www.national.com.

PowerWise is a registered trademark of National Semiconductor Corporation. All
other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective holders.

Media Contact
Mark Alden
National Semiconductor
(408) 721-6929
mark.alden@nsc.com

Reader Information
Design Support Group
(800) 272-9959
World Wide Web
www.national.com

SOURCE National Semiconductor Corp.

Media, Mark Alden of National Semiconductor, +1-408-721-6929,
mark.alden@nsc.com; or Reader Information, Design Support Group,
1-800-272-9959