SOURCE: Cavium Networks, Inc.

 

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA and HSINCHU, TAIWAN--(Marketwire - January 6, 2009) - Leading semiconductor companies Cavium Networks (NASDAQ: CAVM) and Ralink Technology Corporation (TSE: 3534), a leading developer of 802.11x chips, today announced a joint reference design for seamless wireless High Definition video distribution in the home using industry standard IEEE 802.11n and MPEG H.264 technology.

The reference design uses the Cavium PureVu™ Video Processor CNW3602 recently acquired from W&W Communications and the Ralink 802.11n MIMO Wireless RT2880 chipset. The PureVu™ Video Processor compresses 1080p quality video to sub 50Mbps which can now be sent with high reliability over a standard WiFi network. This is achieved with perceptual lossless quality and sub-frame latency using the patented Super Low Latency (SLL Technology™) technology. The Ralink 802.11n chipset uses MIMObility™ Technology to support up to 300Mbps with robust connections at extended range.

The reference design provides electronic manufacturers with low, consumer friendly price-point BOM cost while supporting up to full 1080p60 high-definition video streaming with the sub-frame latency required for high-definition wireless gaming applications. The reference design supports up to 7.1 surround sound digital audio, HDMI version 1.3a compliant, with support for Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) functionality and legacy IR blaster control. In addition, High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection Interface Independent Adaptation (HDCP IIA) is supported to meet the requirements of a "Hollywood Approved" wireless transmission technology. Sophisticated rate adaption and packet loss mitigation technology is used to always provide the highest quality video no matter how much wireless interference.

"WiFi has become ubiquitous in the home, the ability to use standard 802.11n as a whole home wireless HD solution is very compelling for TV manufacturers which are already embedding WiFi for internet TV widget applications," said Lars Herlitz General Manager Multi-media Business group Cavium.

"The PureVu™ Video Processor enables ultra low latency and perceptual lossless quality by compressing bit rates to a level which are robustly supported over Ralink's high performance 802.11n WiFi system," said Fred Jann, Vice President of IC Design at Ralink. "Cavium and Ralink have come together to provide a truly viable standards-based wireless HD delivery solution that can be easily embedded into flat panel displays and set top boxes."

WiFi and H.264 Wireless Networking provides a better alternative to proprietary solutions because it is standards based and provides headroom for higher data rates which are required as color depths and frame rates increase. It also allows mitigation technologies to deal with interference and packet loss, as well as co-existing with current 5 GHz networks.

The joint reference design will on display at CES in Ralink's Hilton Las Vegas suite#2169 and Cavium's Hilton Las Vegas suite#2866.

About Cavium Networks

Cavium Networks is a leading provider of highly integrated semiconductor products that enable intelligent processing in networking, communications, storage and security applications. Cavium Networks offers a broad portfolio of integrated, software compatible processors ranging in performance from 10 Mbps to 20 Gbps that enable secure, intelligent functionality in enterprise, data-center, broadband/consumer and access & service provider equipment. Cavium Networks processors are supported by ecosystem partners that provide operating systems, tool support, reference designs and other services. Cavium Networks principal offices are in Mountain View, CA with design team locations in California, Massachusetts and India. For more information, please visit: http://www.caviumnetworks.com.

About Ralink

Ralink Technology Corporation is a leading innovator and developer of wireless LAN chipset solutions. Ralink 802.11x chipsets are recognized for superior throughput, extended range and the consistent reliability demanded by Wi-Fi, mobile and embedded applications. These feature-rich chipsets have a high level of chip integration for client and AP solutions for CB, miniPCI, PCIe and USB interfaces, enabling customers to build smaller and more sophisticated mobile wireless products cost-effectively. Ralink's patented MIMObility™ technology extends Wi-Fi applications from traditional PC networking to a range of digital multimedia and handheld devices including cell phones, PDAs, cameras, HDTV and video game consoles. Ralink Technology Corporation's headquarters are in Hsinchu, Taiwan, with an R&D center in Cupertino, California. For more information, visit Ralink at http://www.ralinktech.com or send email to info@ralinktech.com.