Pericom Launches Family of 5 New Products for SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Applications

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - September 21, 2009) - 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 a family of 5 new products aimed at supporting the new USB 3.0 (5Gbps) standard. Pericom's new solutions for USB 3.0 and 2.0 will be shown in live demos enabling other USB 3.0 solutions from top-tier partner companies at IDF this week, booth #427 in the Moscone Center West, San Francisco, Calif.

New products for USB 3.0 include ReDriver™ signal conditioners, a USB signal switch, USB PowerNap™ sleep-and-charge switches, and a clock generation solution for USB SuperSpeed. The new USB 3.0 protocol has data transfer rates of 5Gbps, over 10 times faster than USB 2.0, and adopts a fully bi-directional, packetized technology. These faster rates pose significant signal integrity issues and clock jitter requirements that impact system stability and performance in next generation designs, where reliable, noise-free switching is also required. Pericom's new USB products address these issues.

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.

"USB 3.0 adoption rate will start in late 2009 and open up new Pericom design opportunities in next-generation digital video delivery and display, external media devices such as Blu-Ray drives, PC and server market applications, and external HDD storage, where longer cables will become an issue at USB 3.0 speeds," said Dr. Gerry Liu, Sr. V.P. of Marketing at Pericom. "As an early leader in providing USB 3.0 products, we are already engaged with Tier 1 customers in multiple market segments to enable USB 3.0 deployment."

Two new SuperSpeed ReDriver signal conditioners (PI3EQX7701 and PI3EQX7711) significantly extend distances and restore signal integrity across external cables and multiple connectors typically used in many USB peripheral products. The new signal conditioners offer adaptive equalization (7711), intelligent auto power-down mode, and many other advanced features, available in a space saving 4x4mm TQFN package.

The new Pericom clock generator (PI6C557-05) is specifically designed to exceed the stringent jitter requirements of PCIe 2.0 and USB 3.0 5.0Gbps data rates. The new clock IC provides exceptionally low 2.2 ps (pico seconds) rms phase jitter -- well under the 3.1 ps requirement. Other features include 4 copies of a 100MHz or 200MHz HCSL or LVDS output, programmable spread-spectrum operation, very low Pd, industrial temperature range, and a small footprint 4.4x6.5mm TSSOP package.

Pericom's new USB 3.0 Mux/DeMux Signal Switch (PI2USB3212) provides PC designers with a low power (200uA max), low latency (~200ps) routing solution for SuperSpeed signals. It enables adding an extra USB 3.0 port, or combining multiple signal standards on the same pins, such as PCIe 2.0. The new IC also offers advanced power management features, and a small footprint 3.5x5.5mm package.

Pericom announced today in a separate press release their new USB 2.0/3.0 sleep-and-charge controller (PI5USB56). It uses Pericom's patent-pending PowerNapTM technology to reliably charge even when the notebook is in sleep mode, providing notebook designers with an advanced, low-cost mobile device charging solution.

For more information about each of these Pericom advanced USB 3.0 solutions, please visit http://www.pericom.com/usb.

Pricing and Availability

USB 3.0 ReDriver PI3EQX7701 is priced at $2.91 10Ku OEM, and the PI3EQX7711 ReDriver with auto EQ is priced at $3.20. Both are sampling now with production in November 2009.

USB 3.0 Clock Generator PI6C557-05 is priced at $1.05 10Ku OEM and is sampling now with production in November 2009.

USB 3.0 Signal Switch PI2USB3212 is priced $1.15 10Ku OEM and is sampling now with production in November 2009

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.

All trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Contact Information: Marketing Contact: Patti Glenn MarCom Manager Pericom Semiconductor 408-435-0800 Press contact: Sacha Arts Bella Vista Communications 408-356-3099