EqcoLogic demonstrates low-cost, long-range COAX solution for high speed FireWire

BRUSSELS, Belgium, 30 January 2007 – EqcoLogic NV, an analogue circuit design company headquartered in Belgium, has demonstrated a new transceiver chip that allows IEEE 1394b signals to be transmitted simultaneously and bidirectionally, at 1 Gbit/s (S800 standard), over a single COAX cable. The new device, named “EQCO800SC,” incorporates EqcoLogic’s proprietary equalizer technology, allowing data transfer over extended lengths of any COAX cables. The company has transceivers for both 50 ohm and 75 ohm cable, matching the impedance of normal TV-type cable as well as the thin COAX typically used in automotive and instrumentation applications.

The new EQCO 800SC circuit will be sold alongside the company’s existing EQCO400T device, which is used to deliver long-haul IEEE 1394 connectivity over Cat5 or Cat6 UTP cable. EqcoLogic is sampling the EQCO 800SC now and expects to start production by the end of 2008.

Peter Helfet, EqcoLogic’s CEO said, “This product can radically improve the performance and economics of FireWire connections. Simple COAX cables and connectors are far cheaper than conventional FireWire cables and the transceiver is a lower cost solution than optical transceivers used with either plastic or glass fibres.” EqcoLogic is developing reference designs to make it straightforward for customers to integrate the chip into simple adaptor/extender devices and also into full-function hub solutions. “We are working with a number of key partners and customers and have already had the EQCO 800SC in industrial, camera, automotive and home networking applications,” he added.

James Snider, Executive Director of the 1394 Trade Association, observed “New connectivity solutions, like EqcoLogic’s equalizer and transceiver products, add low cost and flexibility to the speed and reliability of 1394 links, giving customers new options in industrial, consumer and automotive applications”.

Amongst other partners, EqcoLogic is working with Texas Instruments, the market leader in IEEE 1394 (FireWire) connectivity solutions. “TI is working with EqcoLogic to deliver both CAT5 (UTP) and Coaxial cable solutions. EqcoLogic’s robust and reliable solutions add value to our own range of PHY and Link Layer devices,” said Zephra Freeman, Business Development Manager at TI’s Digital Interface Business Unit. “Working together, TI and EqcoLogic provide customers with leading-edge solutions for growing 1394 adoption in consumer electronics, home networking, PC and industrial markets.”

About EqcoLogic

EqcoLogic is a privately funded Belgian company spun-out of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Formed in 2005, the company is commercializing the University's innovative high speed digital SERDES Equalizer technology made available through an exclusive world-wide license.

EqcoLogic is a fab-less semiconductor vendor, developing and supplying cable Equalizer devices; the company also sub-licenses the core technology and product designs in certain markets. Along with exceptional signal recovery, EqcoLogic chips offer excellent operational tolerances and low power consumption. Designed for standard CMOS processes, the circuits can also be integrated into other communications chips. EqcoLogic is targeting video, audio, automotive and server applications with a number of business partners.