Cascade Semiconductor Solutions, Inc. Announces SerDes Dependent Module Partner Program

Beaverton, Oregon, May 7, 2003 – Cascade Semiconductor Solutions, Inc. (cascadeip.com), announced this week the launching of their SerDes Dependent Module (SDM) Partner Program to pre-qualify support modules which interface standard PCI-Express SerDes cores with the CascadeXpress™ CX-PL Port Logic core.

The CascadeXpress™ CX-PL Port Logic core provides developers with a complete PCI Express port logic implementation compliant to the PCI Express 1.0a base specification.  Cascade's team has developed an architecture to meet the demands of deep sub-micron ASIC and SOC design constraints.  Unique partitioning of the core architecture allows users to customize application specific requirements into the application logic, configuration space and SerDes dependent module implementations without impacting the compliance aspects of the core.

The SDM methodology was developed by Cascade to provide a path for customers to easily integrate their selected SerDes with the CX-PL for a complete PCI-Express port solution.  By providing a baseline set of PCS capabilities, Cascade enables their customers to integrate SerDes cores from the vendor of their choice without requiring modifications to the CX-PL to create a complete PCI-Express compliance port solution.

Cascade has engaged with several leading PCI-Express SerDes vendors to proactively development, and pre-verify SDM's for specific SerDes cores.   In the case that the end-user chooses a core not currently supported by Cascade, the SDM customization can be implemented as part of the licensing contract or the user may choose to undertake that effort based on the generic SDM provided.

By pro-actively developing and pre-qualifying the SDM modules, Cascade provides the end customer with a clean integration path for IP cores from different vendors; saving on critical development time.

Contact Cascade for more information on participation in the SDM Partner Program or the licensing of CascadeXpress™ IP solutions.

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