Equalizer extends DVI, HDMI cable reach

National Semiconductor Corp. has introduced a cable equalizer that enables consumers to extend the reach of their DVI and HDMI cable connections beyond 40m. The device also extends the reach of low-cost CAT5 cables to more than 20m.

TMDS format
National's DS16EV5110 equalizes cable signals encoded in the TMDS format. The cable equalizer is targeted at a wide range of video systems, including DVI/HDMI switches, routers and extenders, plasma and LCD HDTVs, LCD and DLP front and rear projectors, and medical imaging equipment. The device features low total jitter of 0.13 UI, which was achieved using National's BiCMOS-8 technology.

DS16EV5110 is used for operation from 0.25Gbps to 1.65Gbps and is compliant with DVI v1.0 and HDMI v1.2a standards. At 1.65Gbps data rate, the device extends cable reach to more than 40m over 24 AWG DVI/HDMI cable, 25m over 28 AWG DVI/HDMI cable and 20m over CAT5/5e/6 cable. The device also operates up to 2.25Gbps when supporting 1080p HDTV resolution (with 12bit deep-color depth) beyond 30m over 24 AWG HDMI cable. The equalizer supports digital TV resolutions of 480i/p, 720i/p and 1080i/p, as well as all computer resolutions from VGA to WQXGA.

Adjustable signal detect
Offered in a small 7-by-7mm 48-pin leadless LLP package, the DS16EV5110 features three equalized TMDS data channels and one clock channel. The clock channel provides an adjustable signal detect, which sends an alert when a LOS occurs. Each channel can be set to one of eight different boost settings through pin control or an integrated SMBus. This flexibility allows the system designer to optimize the trace/cable length and reduce inter-symbol interference.

The DS16EV5110 is powered from a 3.3V supply and consumes 420mW while operating over the -40°C to 85°C temperature range. The device's standby mode reduces overall system power consumption, and its equalizer channels can be programmed to match the skin loss effect of shielded-twisted pair DVI, HDMI or unshielded CAT5 cables. The device also features 8 kV of ESD protection.

Available today, the DS16EV5110 is priced at $6.95 each in 100-unit quantities.