Gennum Announces Five New Video Optical Modules

Third Generation Products Extend Gennum's Leadership in Optical SDI

BURLINGTON, ON, April 12 /CNW/ - Gennum Corporation (TSX: GND) a leading provider of signal integrity solutions, today announced a new generation of video optical module products optimized to provide maximum value and performance in intra-studio and networking applications.

Gennum's third generation offering builds upon its performance-leading portfolio of video optical module products that enable broadcast and network equipment manufacturers to easily add optical SDI interfaces to their equipment. The third generation offering includes; the GO2927 a dual channel optical receiver, the GO2928 a dual channel optical transmitter, the GO2929 an optical transceiver, the GO2917 a single channel optical receiver and the GO2918 a single channel optical transmitter.

These new video optical modules are pin compatible with Gennum's existing video optical module products. In addition, three of the new devices; the GO2929, GO2917 and GO2918, are compatible with the SFP pin-out traditionally used in the data communications market. This will allow network equipment manufacturers to add optical SDI interfaces to any existing systems that were designed according to the SFP MSA specification.

Gennum's newest generation of video optical modules feature a user writable EEPROM, allowing equipment manufacturers to program their own information within the SFP, enabling their equipment to identify qualified modules. Additionally, all of the new modules incorporate an optimized mechanical design.

"Broadcasters are increasingly looking to optical fiber interfaces for the distribution of 3G SDI signaling within the plant. At these higher data rates, fiber optic systems provide a number of advantages, especially over long links," said Gary Beauchamp, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Optical Products, Gennum Corporation. "Gennum is committed to supplying broadcast equipment manufacturers with optical solutions that provide the robustness and reliability required for mission critical broadcast applications."

Gennum will showcase the advantages of its robust video optical module products in a live demonstration at its booth No.N5337, at the National Association of Broadcasters Show, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, April 12-15 in Las Vegas.

About Gennum Corporation

Gennum Corporation (TSX: GND) designs innovative semiconductor solutions and intellectual property (IP) cores for the world's most advanced consumer connectivity, enterprise, video broadcast and data communications products. Leveraging the company's proven optical, analog and mixed-signal products and IP, Gennum enables multimedia and data communications products to send and receive information without compromising the signal integrity. Recognized as an award winner for advances in high definition (HD) broadcasting, Gennum is headquartered in Burlington, Canada, and has global design, research and development and sales offices in Canada, Mexico, Japan, Germany, United States, Taiwan, India and the United Kingdom. www.gennum.com.

For further information: Keri Fraser, Director of Corporate Communications, Gennum Corporation, Tel: [phone], Email: [email protected]