[March 31, 2015]

Parade Introduces Active, Redriving USB Type-C Port Configuration Switch for DP Alt Mode Sink Applications

Parade Technologies, Ltd. (Taiwan OTC: 4966.TWO), a leading video display and interface IC supplier, today announced a new USB Type-C port configuration switch for devices that include the DisplayPort Alt Mode Sink function. The new PS8742 enables USB Type-C port configurations compliant with the USB Type-C and DisplayPort Alt Mode over USB Type-C standards. In addition to the high-speed signal configuration switch, the new PS8742 Type-C Redriving Switch integrates signal redriver circuitry to avoid the signal loss associated with commonly used passive switching solutions. The redriving circuitry also overcomes losses from internal system PCB traces and external interconnect cable. The PS8742 accommodates the USB 3.1 Gen 1 data rate of 5Gbps, and DisplayPort HBR2 data rate of 5.4Gbps.

The new PS8742 complements the PS8740 that Parade announced in January 2015 that supports USB Type-C devices with a DisplayPort Alt Mode Source (News - Alert) function. The PS8742 is designed for devices thatuse the USB Type-C connector and include a DisplayPort Alt Mode Sink function. This includes devices such as hubs, docks, monitors or other displays. PS8742 port configuration settings can be controlled by either dedicated input pins or the I2C slave interface.

The PS8742 redriver function includes configurable receiver input equalizers and configurable output drivers. The performance of the PS8742 can be tailored for a particular system topology, providing optimum signal integrity and data channel reliability, in additional to a wider electrical performance margin relative to the USB and DisplayPort compliance test specs. The configurable redrivers also enable more flexibility in system design including added PCB trace length for more flexible component placement.

When configured for DisplayPort Alt Mode, the PS8742 redrivers utilize AUX Channel interception, a widely adopted DisplayPort redriver configuration patented by Parade Technologies. Such configuration enables the DisplayPort driver characteristics to be automatically adjusted and optimized by the downstream DisplayPort receiver during the DisplayPort link training process. When configured as a USB channel, the PS8742 redriver supports configurable de-emphasis. Redriver input equalization and output characteristics are controllable through pin strapping or the I2C interface.

"With notebooks that use the USB Type-C connector and the DisplayPort Alt Mode Source function now available, and more are expected soon, system and accessory OEMs are already developing complimentary USB Type-C devices with the DisplayPort Alt Mode Sink function," said Jimmy Chiu, Executive VP of Marketing at Parade Technologies. "This will not only include USB Type-C docking devices that accommodate the DisplayPort Alt Mode function, but also displays that will take advantage of the USB Type-C connector to include USB functions such as a built-in hub for keyboard and mouse functions."

Availability

The PS8742 is packaged in a 4x6mm 40-pin QFN package and is sampling now.

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

Parade Technologies, Ltd. (Taiwan OTC: 4966.TWO) is a leading fabless supplier of mixed-signal ICs for a variety of popular display and high-speed interface standards used in computers, consumer electronics and display panels. Parade's portfolio of IC products serves the growing demand for DisplayPort™, eDP™ (Embedded DisplayPort), HDMI®, SATA, PCI (News - Alert) Express and USB ICs for display, storage and interface applications.

Parade leverages its close relationships with market-leading Tier-1 OEMs to develop ICs that provide unique system capabilities. Many of the company's devices integrate proprietary technologies that offer superior system signal integrity, advanced system integration and enhanced power efficiency. As a result of the company's "standards-plus" design philosophy, Parade ICs have been designed into products offered by nearly every leading computer and display vendor worldwide.

Parade Technologies, Inc., is a wholly owned US-based subsidiary of Parade Technologies, Ltd. Parade Technologies, Inc. can be reached at (408) 329-5540, or on the Internet at http://www.paradetech.com.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]