Peregrine Semiconductor Introduces New High-Isolation SPDT CMOS Switch Targeting CATV and Video Applications

Peregrine’s CATV Switches Offer Low-Frequency Linearity Performance

SAN DIEGO September 24, 2002 Peregrine Semiconductor, a supplier of high- performance integrated circuits for the optical networking and wireless communications markets, today announced another member of its family of high-isolation CMOS Switches, the PE4231. This low insertion loss switch, operating from DC to 1.3 GHz, is targeted at high growth CATV systems, video switching and other 75-ohm applications.

The PE4231 Ultra-Thin-Silicon (UTSi™) MOSFET CATV Switch is configured as a Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT) showing isolation characteristics of >42 dB at 1 GHz and >75 dB at 5 MHz. The PE4231 has both input and output matched to 75-ohms.

Available in a small 8-lead MSOP package, its linearity performance is excellent to below 1 MHz easily covering the entire CATV frequency band, unlike most GaAs switches. The PE4321 is a true, single-supply device with integrated on-chip CMOS control logic providing a simple interface to other CMOS control devices. The flexible single-pin control interface can also be driven by a +5-volt TTL signal input. The PE4231 exhibits low power consumption of less than 30 microamps with a nominal 3-volt supply.

“The PE4231 is the latest addition to our family of devices exhibiting excellent low- frequency linearity performance” said Dennis Burman, marketing director at Peregrine Semiconductor.  “This device offers an IP2 of greater than 80 dBm, an important parameter for CATV and video applications.”

Specifically, the PE4231 has an input 1dB compression point of +32 dBm with an insertion loss of 0.5 to 0.8 dB over the operating frequency range. It exhibits excellent return loss on the order of 20 dB, and video feed-through of less than 15mVp-p. An important figure of merit, the input IP2 inter-modulation, provides greater than 80 dBm.

Pricing for the PE4231 starts at 77 cents per unit in volumes of ten thousand. Production volume of this switch is now available through Peregrine and its worldwide distribution partner, Richardson Electronics.

About Peregrine Semiconductor:

Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets high-speed communications integrated circuits for the wireless, satellite, and broadband cable communications markets. Using its patented Ultra-Thin-Silicon (UTSi) CMOS process, Peregrine Semiconductor has launched a series of radio frequency IC products for high-growth wireless applications (including CDMA and GSM digital cellular), space and defense radiation hard IC’s, and switching functions for video applications. Headquartered in San Diego, California, the company has established design centers and satellite operations in Chicago, Ill., Aix-En-Provence, France, and Sydney, Australia. Additional information on Peregrine Semiconductor is available on its web site: www.peregrine-semi.com. Contact Peregrine’s worldwide distribution partner, Richardson Electronics (NASDAQ: RELL), for sales information at 1-800-737-6937.

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UTSi is a registered trademark of Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation.