Parade Technologies Introduces Second-Generation DisplayPortTM Repeater Architecture

DisplayPort Repeater Pioneer Parade Technologies Optimizes Design for Multi-mode
HDMITM/DVI/DisplayPort Source Devices
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Parade Technologies Ltd. (www.paradetech.com), a leading innovator of digital
video interface products, has introduced the PS8311 DisplayPortTM Repeater
device. Like its predecessor the PS8121ED--the world`s first DisplayPort
Repeater device, introduced by Parade last year--the PS8311 improves the output
signal quality of a DisplayPort transmitter or "source," such as a GPU. Using
advanced adaptive equalization technology, The PS8311 removes signal distortion
introduced by long PCB (printed circuit board) traces and by long or marginal
connectors within the DisplayPort signal path between a GPU source and display
sink.

Repeaters, also called re-drivers, are often needed within a system to
successfully pass the VESA DisplayPort Certified Compliance Test. The new PS8311
provides improved performance and improved integration for Dual-mode or
Multi-mode DisplayPort Source devices. Applications that benefit from
DisplayPort Repeaters include notebook PCs, docking stations, and desktop PCs.

The PS8311 is a DisplayPort Repeater, a device class first introduced by Parade.
It responds to Link Training commands between the Source and Sink systems and,
using Parade Technologies` proprietary "AUX Channel interceptor" circuit (patent
pending), the device actively monitors the DisplayPort AUX Channel communication
between the Source and Sink systems. The PS8311 will adjust its output voltage
swing and pre-emphasis level based on the Sink system request during Link
Training, as well as the number of Main Link (high speed) lanes and Aux Channel
managed power states. The originating DisplayPort transmitter within the Source
system will also respond to these Sink requests, providing a variation in the
voltage swing and pre-emphasis levels provided to the repeater.

To reduce to possibility of jitter that may be imposed by high drive levels at
the repeater input, the PS8311 includes a new advanced "Automatic Equalization
Adjustment" feature that automatically adjusts the input gain and equalization
level based on the link training commands. This compensates for expected input
level changes, and also allows the PS8311 to be placed closer to the original
DisplayPort Source device, where amplitude and pre-emphasis levels will be
higher.

The PS8311 also integrates the sideband signal multiplexer needed for Multi-mode
DisplayPort Source devices. Most DisplayPort Source devices today are Dual-mode,
also referred to as Multi-mode, which means they support multiple video formats
from the DisplayPort receptacle including HDMITM, DVI and DisplayPort. A
low-cost voltage level-shifted cable adapter is required to support the DVI and
HDMI output modes. In the Source device, the DDC (Display Data Channel) used for
the DVI and HDMI protocols must be multiplexed with the DisplayPort AUX Channel
(Auxiliary Data Channel) prior to the DisplayPort output receptacle. The PS8311
integrates this required DDC / AUX Channel multiplexer to both reduce system
component count and improve performance.

Another advance incorporated into the second-generation PS8311 is Automatic
Power Management, which significantly reduces overall power consumption.
Automatically detecting the absence of a Sink device, such as a display, the
PS8311 will power down until a Sink device is connected.

"Our original PS8121ED repeater is quite popular, particularly in docking
stations but also on motherboards with complicated DisplayPort signal routing,"
says Jimmy Chiu, VP of Marketing at Parade. "Many designers rely on DisplayPort
Repeaters for additional PCB layout flexibility, since it will compensate for
the PCB trace losses and will provide a clean output signal with a
less-than-optimum PCB DisplayPort signal routing. The PS8311 improves this
flexibility and has the added benefit of including the DDC and AUX channel
multiplexer, as well as automatic power management."

The improved DisplayPort Repeater architecture designed into the PS8311 has also
been incorporated into other recently introduced Parade Technologies DisplayPort
switch devices, such as the PS8312 (Dual Mode DisplayPort Source 1:2
Demultiplexer with DisplayPort and TMDSTM Outputs), PS8318 (Dual Mode
DisplayPort Source 1:2 Demultiplexer), and PS8325 (Dual Mode DisplayPort 2x2
Crosspoint Switch with DP and TMDS Outputs).

Pricing and Availability

The PS8311 is currently sampling and is priced at $1.50 in volume. It comes in a
48-pin TQFP RoHS package.

About Parade Technologies, Ltd. and Parade Technologies, Inc.

Parade Technologies, Ltd. is a privately held fabless semiconductor company that
specializes in developing high-speed interface products. The company seeks to
leverage a combination of high-speed analog, mixed-signal and digital design
expertise, along with system level knowledge, to take product performance, power
efficiency and customer satisfaction to new heights.

Parade Technologies, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Parade Technologies,
Ltd, is located in San Jose, California, the heart of Silicon Valley. As Parade
Technologies, Ltd`s marketing representative in the United States, Parade
Technologies, Inc. can be reached at (408) 329-5540, or on the Internet at
http://www.paradetech.com .

Parade Technology
Craig Wiley, +1 408 329 5540
pr@paradetech.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009