Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation introduced the VSC6464, a 64x64 crosspoint switch IC. At 500Mb/s, the VSC6464 is the fastest off-the-shelf crosspoint switch of its size and is ideal for ATE applications, video and optical networks.

The VSC6464 provides a large switch fabric, 64 x 64, with two modes of operation: synchronous and asynchronous. In the synchronous mode, inputs and outputs are clocked and data can be transferred at a rate of up to 250Mb/s. In the asynchronous mode, the input registers are bypassed and data can be transferred at a rate of up to 500Mb/s. In the asynchronous mode, skew is less than 1.5ns from any input to any output, and less than 750ps between outputs in the synchronous mode. In both modes of operation, the VSC6464 is fully non-blocking, allowing any output to be connected to any input, regardless of the configurations of other outputs.

The VSC6464 is designed for use in ATE and video applications. The VSC6464 provides a high capacity switch core for OC-3 optical cross-connects and for SMPTE-259 video switches and routers. In ATE equipment, the crosspoint switch may be used either as part of the algorithmic pattern generator (ALPG) or as part of the timing generator (TG). As part of the ALPG, crosspoint switches are frequently used for pattern switching or to scramble addresses for memory testing. In shared-resource testers, a crosspoint switch can be used to route timing signals inside the TG.

"Until now, a combination of several smaller switches, such as 8x8s or 32x32s, have been required for a 64x64 crosspoint function. Such a combination uses a large amount of board space and has high power dissipation," stated Allan Armstrong, product marketing manager of Vitesse's ATE Division. "With the VSC6464, the total system cost is reduced, since fewer ICs are used. And, the non-blocking architecture of the VSC6464 simplifies video, ATE and optical cross-connect designs," concluded Armstrong. vsc6464 Datasheet

When you think that a 64x64 video router in its finished form for digital TV (DTV) at the highest (HD) end of the spectrum will sell for upwards of $30,000 the price of this IC looks cheap. It is. And it will do fabulously well.

I love the non-blocking protocol set up, meaning that you can take a source to more than one destination; I love the single -2 V rail and power dissipation. Compared to the use of 16x16 or 32x32 crosspoints this part will save an incredible amount of board space and power and reduces the logistical problems of interconnects to nothing: just keep the same interconnect pattern going all the way around the single chip. This part will see major service in DV, OC-3 and the higher-end ATE applications.

The VSC6464 typically dissipates 5 Watts from a single -2 V supply and is in a 208-pin PQFP. The part is sampling now with production in the first quarter of 1999; it will be priced at $485 in 100-piece lots.