LVDS goes 6.4 Gbps

National Semiconductor's new 6.4-Gbps DS90CR485 and DS90CR486 serializer/deserializer chip set uses LVDS (low-voltage differential signaling) for backplane- and cable-interconnection applications (Picture). Instead of serializing 32 bits of data onto four differential pairs as traditional serializer/deserializers do, the chip set serializes as many as 48 data bits onto eight differential pairs plus clock, running at 66 to 133 MHz. Such a scheme requires more serial wires, but the lower data rates ease differential-design constraints. You can use the extra bits for simultaneous transmission of additional data, control signaling, or address signaling. The company is now shipping both devices in 100-pin TQFPs; each device costs $12.90 (1000).

National Semiconductor, www.national.com.