Gearbox IC facilitates seamless high-speed conversion between UHD-SDI video formats

L2Tek has announced availability of the Semtech GS12070 UHD-SDI Gearbox, a fully-integrated device that performs both the multiplexing and de-multiplexing necessary to deliver seamless and high-speed conversion between 12G and 6G UHD-SDI interfaces as well as 3G and HD SDI interfaces. The GS12070 enables broadcasters to utilize a standards-based, off-the-shelf approach to UHDTV infrastructures. Alternative conversion technologies require equipment manufacturers to license third-party IP cores at an additional expense or develop in-house solutions at increased cost, design time and risk interoperability issues. The GS12070 is a four-signal input and four-signal output device that can be directly interfaced to 1.2V CML I/O. The high-speed inputs and outputs include programmable trace equalization and de-emphasis drivers to compensate for high-frequency losses associated with board-level interconnect. Besides supporting conversions between multi-link, dual-link and single-link UHD-SDI interfaces, a bypass mode is also available where the inputs can be routed directly to the outputs. Besides easing the system challenge of receiving multi-link SDI signals by automatically compensating for input channel skew, the device features automatic link ordering of incoming serial streams for multiplexing which reduces the cost and time spent troubleshooting cabling issues during the installation of multi-link UHD-SDI infrastructures. The link order can also be configured manually to compensate for cases where the cable order has been connected incorrectly. Additionally, the GS12070 features an integrated cross-point for UHDTV routing applications. The GS12070 features 100ohm differential serial interfaces, allowing connection to Semtech equalizers, cable drivers as well as optical modules. Its launch coincides with the introduction of the GS12141 adaptive cable equalizer and GS12181 cable driver IC to further strengthen the Semtech portfolio of 12G UHD-SDI solutions newly available from L2Tek. With its integrated reclocker, the GS12141 sets an industry benchmark for cable reach at all data rates. In addition, the GS12141 features output pre-emphasis to compensate for long PCB trace links simplifying PCB performance optimization. It also features a compact 6mm x 4mm LGA package to save valuable board space and provide greater design flexibility for equipment developers. Semtech' GS12181 series offers the industry’s best performing UHD-SDI cable drivers. The integrated retiming provided by the device ensures the lowest possible output jitter at all rates up to 12G. It also provides strong input trace equalisation to compensate for input trace links and a highly configurable output pre-emphasis to pre-compensate for PCB losses critical for optimising performance in 12G UHD-SDI designs, says the company.