The GS3481 is a high-speed BiCMOS integrated circuit designed to drive one to four 75ohms co-axial cables, and is Semtech’s most advanced cable driver, offering a comprehensive feature set for today’s most demanding applications.

The GS3481 can drive data rates up to 2.97Gb/s, and provides two selectable slew rates in order to achieve compliance for SMPTE ST424, ST292 and ST259.

The device provides four single-ended positive outputs, which are suitable for driving polarity-dependant signals such as DVB-ASI in addition to polarity-independent signals such as SMPTE ST259, ST292 and ST424 SDI signals.

The GS3481 is the industry’s only cable driver featuring Signal-Boost. With up to 9dB (adjustable in 1dB increments) of Signal-Boost, the GS3481 is ideal for use in applications that require compensating for losses associated with long PCB trace lengths and in long-reach applications where moving the SMPTE compliance point from the board connector to a point further downstream is required.

The GS3481 features the industry’s largest output swing. Utilizing an external bias resistor, the single-ended output swing is adjustable from 500mVpp to 2400mVpp. High output swing can be utilized to compensate for losses that occur after the cable driver output. A larger output swing also facilitates passive mux solutions for creating larger systems.

The GS3481 accepts industry-standard differential input levels including LVPECL and CML.

Input trace equalization compensates for up to 10 inches of FR4 trace loss. This feature can be enabled or disabled using the GSPI host interface.

Each output can also be powered-down, leaving the serial data outputs in a high-impedance state.

A GSPI serial interface is provided for configuration and control. Status information can also be read from the device using the serial interface.

A signal presence function (pin ISP) indicates whether an active signal is present at the output of the GS3481. This can be used to automatically power-down the device when not required. The device draws less than 4mW when powered-down.

Independent output enabling for each of the four output signals provides very flexible configuration and control of the device.

The GS3481 can be powered from either a 3.3V or a 2.5V supply.

Power consumption is typically 235mW with four outputs enabled (no pre-emphasis or termination loading), using a 2.5V power supply.

The GS3481 is Pb-free, and the encapsulation compound does not contain halogenated flame retardant. This component and all homogeneous subcomponents are RoHS compliant.