Gennum taps TowerJazz SBC18 process for video crosspoint switch

Gennum, whose new 3Gb/s crosspoint product portfolio of switches is the first to combine video-specific features to effectively handle next-generation video formats and the growing studio data rate requirements, said it chose TowerJazz's technology as the company "has been a strong foundry partner, helping us achieve first-time success on several products through their world-class models and repeatable high-performance SiGe technology."

Marco Racanelli, TowerJazz senior VP and GM, RF and High Performance Analog Business Group, credited the large die size and bipolar transistor count, among other features of the high-volume SBC18 process, for Gennum's decision.

The TowerJazz platform features high-speed, standard, and high breakdown SiGe Bipolar transistors, or SiGe NPNs, for low noise, high switching speeds and better linearity compared to a typical 0.18-micron CMOS offering. TowerJazz said SiGe NPN reduces power consumption by 30 percent compared to standard CMOS for high-speed precision analog circuits using Current Mode Logic. SBC18 also offers up to 200GHz SiGe devices, extending the power advantage to higher frequency applications such as crosspoint switches.

Gennum's family of six crosspoint devices includes the industry's first 290x290 crosspoint switch, featuring 84,100 unique paths at 3.5Gb/s, enabling design of the large 3Gb/s video routers, switchers and multi-viewers.

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