Pericom Expands PCIe and USB Serial Connectivity With 5 New Products

BEIJING--(Marketwire - April 12, 2010) -  INTEL DEVELOPER FORUM (IDF) -- Pericom Semiconductor Corporation (NASDAQ: PSEM), a leading supplier of high-speed connectivity, timing and signal-conditioning silicon and quartz solutions, today announced 5 new products aimed at supporting the PCI Express (PCIe), and USB serial protocols. The new products will be part of live demonstrations at IDF April 13-14, booth #1084, in the China National Convention Center, Beijing, China.

Heading the list of new introductions is an industry first multi-protocol PCIe to USB2.0 host controller bridge plus PCIe packet switch, and is dubbed the Swidge™ (combination of bridge and switch), and includes a second new PCIe-to-USB 2.0 host controller only version. A new single lane PCIe 2.0 (5Gb/s) ReDriver™ is added to Pericom's industry leading signal conditioner family, and 2 new USB Sleep-and-Charge USB charging switches round out the new introductions.

"Our latest family of unique serial protocol solutions continues to pace the industry," said Dr. Gerry Liu, Sr. VP of marketing at Pericom. "As an early leader in serial protocol and signal conditioning products, we are already engaged with key customers in multiple market segments for each of these new products."

USB is the most popular and widely used serial protocol, according to In-Stat, March 2008. It has an installed base of approximately 6+ billion units and is growing at 2+ billion units a year with an adoption rate of virtually 100% in PC and peripherals, and widely used in almost all market segments at which both the PCIe to USB2 + PCIe Swidge and Sleep-and-Charge products are aimed. The single lane PCIe 2.0 ReDriver is aimed at volume notebook docking, external cable and other applications where multi-lane products are not cost effective.

The PI7C9X442SL Swidge is an industry first PCIe 1.0-to-4 port USB 2.0 host controller + 2 port PCIe 1.0 packet switch. It has been certified by PCISIG, and is fully USB 2.0, EHCI 1.0a/OHCI 1.0, and PCIe 1.1 specification compliant. It offers Pericom's PowerSave™ advanced power management technology, is fully programmable via I2C bus, and is offered in a space saving 14x14mm 128TQFP package. This dual protocol IC allows designers to gain back and expand valuable PCIe ports that are used for expansion or conversion. The PI7C9X440SL is similar but does not offer the downstream PCIe ports for USB 2.0 host controller optimized applications.

The newest addition to Pericom's leading family of PCIe 2.0 signal conditioning solutions is the PI3EQX5701 single-lane ReDriver. The product is aimed at extending distances and restoring signal integrity across PCB traces, external cables, and multiple connectors typically used in PCIe enabled products. The part offers designers single supply, power-down mode, programmable equalization, and many other advanced features, and is available in a space saving 4x4mm 20-TQFN package.

The latest additions to the Pericom Sleep-and-Charge family of USB 2.0/3.0 USB charger controllers are the PI5USB58 and PI5USB2058. The PI5USB58 adds a feature to the popular PI5USB56 which auto-detects when an end device is plugged into the NB or other product using the IC, and also which end device is plugged in (typically a cell phone or iPod type device). The benefit to the end user is that the Pericom Sleep-and-Charge family allows the NB to remain in 'sleep' or power down mode and still provide safe and reliable charging through the USB port. The PI5USB58 provides a wide array of cost effective features, and is available in a small footprint 3x3mm 16-TQFN package.

The PI5USB2058 Smart Power Switch is the first industry USB charger to integrate both the power switch and monitor into the charger function, thus providing auto-detect, power monitor and switch in one IC. This is the most fully integrated USB charger IC available, offers a wide array of cost effective features, and is available in a small footprint 3.5x4.5mm 20-TQFN package.

Both these new USB charger products contain Pericom's patent-pending PowerNap™ technology to reliably charge even when the notebook is in sleep mode, providing notebook designers with an advanced, low-cost mobile device charging solutions. For more information about each of these Pericom advanced USB 3.0 solutions, please visit http://www.pericom.com/usb.

Pricing and Availability

• PI7C9X442SL USB 2.0 + PCIe 1.0 Swidge: OEM list price is $6.50 in 10Ku quantities, with samples and eval cards available now, and production quantities in September, 2010.
• PI7C9X440SL USB 2.0 host controller only: OEM list price is $4.95 in 10Ku quantities with samples and eval cards available now, and production quantities in September, 2010.
• PI3EQX5701 single lane ReDriver: OEM list price is $1.78 in 10Ku quantities, with samples and production quantities available now.
• PI5USB58 USB charger with auto-detect: OEM list price is $0.95 in 10Ku quantities, with samples available now and production in October, 2010.
• PI5USB2058 USB Smart Power Switch: OEM list price is $1.35 in 10Ku quantities, with samples available now and production in October, 2010.

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About Pericom:
Pericom Semiconductor Corporation (NASDAQ: PSEM) enables serial connectivity with complete solutions for computing, communications and consumer market segments. Pericom's integrated circuits and SaRonix-eCera frequency control products provide the connectivity, timing and conditioning of high-speed signals required by today's electronic applications. Company headquarters are in San Jose, Calif., with design centers, sales and support offices around the globe.

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Contact Information:

Press Contact:
Sacha Arts
Bella Vista Communications
408-356-3099


Marketing Contact:
Patti Glenn
Marcom Manager
Pericom Semiconductor
pglenn@pericom.com