Crowned as the industry’s first multi-protocol, 6.375-Gb/s multi-rate serializer/de-serializer (SerDes) transceiver, the VSC3441 also integrates the company’s patented VScope waveform viewing technology. The device suits next-generation backplanes and communication equipment running multi-protocols including Gigabit Ethernet, XAUI, 2xXAUI, Fibre Channel, SAS, SATA, Serial Rapid IO, Infiniband, and PCI Express. It operates at selectable data rates from 125 Mb/s to 6.375 Gb/s and employs equalization to compensate for impairments and losses common to copper cables, backplane traces, and connectors. With a single reference-clock input, the device ensures signal integrity through configurable I/O equalization. In various modes, it functions as a single 20:1 SerDes with redundant I/O, dual 10:1 SerDes with redundant I/O, and a quad 10:1 serializer or quad 1:10 deserializer. A high-speed CDR per channel removes random jitter from optical fiber links and the device’s I/O characteristics are programmable for interfacing to a wide variety of devices and protocols. Additionally, VScope waveform viewing technology enables a real-time oscilloscope view of incoming data, providing telemetry of high-speed signals for real-time system diagnostics and remote-monitoring functions. Samples of the VSC3441 device will be available in the fourth quarter. In a 196-pin, 15 mm x 15 mm FCBGA, price is $32 each in volume. VITESSE SEMICONDUCTOR CORP., Camarillo, CA. (800) 848-3773.