Reduces cost and footprint of upstream communication implementation for security applications
Kiwi Semiconductor Ltd., an emerging leader in analog semiconductors for advanced CCTV systems and Gennum Corporation a global leader in advanced high-definition (HD) broadcast video signal integrity solutions, today jointly announce their agreement to work in association with the HDcctv Alliance® to develop an upstream communication solution for HDcctv.
HDcctv is the only global interface standard for the security industry in which broadcast quality, uncompressed; all-digital HD video is transmitted over coaxial cable. In an HDcctv-based system, HDTV signals are transmitted digitally over conventional or existing CCTV media without packetization and without any perceivable compression latency, resulting in a plug-and-play HD upgrade for the installed base.
Conventionally, analog standard definition (SD) CCTV cameras, which represent over 95% of the installed base, use a “one cable” mode of operation. To fully address the analog retrofit market, HDcctv products must offer the same features and functions as familiar analog equipment. The V1.0 HDcctv specification and all future specifications require that the operator/installer experience must mirror an analog CCTV installation, usage, and maintenance experience with the best aspects of analog CCTV retained, including simple installation, a secure closed loop for information transmission, and negligible video transmission latency. By meeting these requirements, HDcctv promises to provide the experienced CCTV operator and installer a “plug-and-play” experience along with the benefits of full-bandwidth HD video, while deriving new value from existing CCTV cabling infrastructure.
The upstream communications channel (UCC) in a one-cable mode CCTV system allows the control and configuration of cameras, using the same physical cable that carries the downstream HD video data without any extra control-signal cabling, such as RS485 over twisted pair. In its simplest application, UCC allows the remote manipulation of camera parameters, such as exposure modes or privacy masks. The UCC also provides for remote control of pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) settings. The elimination of separate control-signal cabling simplifies installation and reduces total cabling costs. Furthermore, the UCC can also be used to send general-purpose input/output (GPIO) signals, for simple “on/off” control of motors, heaters, de-misters and wipers.
“Kiwi Semi has proven to be a strong and agile analog IC company and we are looking forward to joining our expertise with theirs to help our customers take advantage of all that HDcctv has to offer,” said Gary Beauchamp, Senior Vice President, Mixed Signal and Optical Products at Gennum. “Our joint development with Kiwi will further the HDcctv Alliance’s work at the component level, ensuring an upstream signal integrity solution for manufacturers of HDcctv-compliant products.”
“Our strategy of focusing on companion chips development is a perfect match with Gennum,” said Luc Lussier, CEO of Kiwi Semiconductor. “By working hand-in-hand with Gennum’s engineering team, we are able to integrate the analog functionality for upstream communication into a single chip, to ensure the best in functionality and performance for an upstream communication HDcctv solution that will meet the evolving HDcctv standard.”
“We are delighted by this strategic collaboration between Alliance Members developing component solutions for HDcctv-compliant products. This kind of business agility and technical innovation translates to economic opportunities for the HDcctv industry, and it strengthens the Alliance at the same time,” commented Todd E. Rockoff, Ph.D., HDcctv Alliance executive director “As a trade association, the Alliance aims to facilitate the creation of solutions, and we rely on technology leaders such as Kiwi Semiconductor and Gennum to lend their expertise and demonstrate their commitment in this way to create solutions that advance the HDcctv standard and enable cost-effective compliant products.”
About Kiwi Semiconductor
Kiwi Semiconductor has pioneered the concept of the companion IC’s and is focused on security cameras and networked CCTV systems. Our Companion IC’s help to reduce time-to market, bill-of-material costs and the size of camera boards while improving product quality and performance. Designed on a robust and cost-effective Analog CMOS process.
Kiwi Semiconductor Ltd. is a privately held company based in Auckland, New Zealand. For more information, visit www.kiwisemi.com.
About Gennum
Gennum Corporation (TSX: GND) designs innovative semiconductor solutions and intellectual property (IP) cores to serve the rising global demand for high-speed data transmission products in the broadcast, networking, storage and telecommunications markets. Gennum offers proven optical, analog and mixed-signal solutions with uncompromising signal integrity to support standards such as high-definition (HD) video, Fibre Channel, InfiniBand®, Ethernet, SONET and PCI Express®. The company 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
About HDcctv Alliance
The HDcctv Alliance® is the non-profit industry association that develops and promulgates the technical interface specification for high-definition closed-circuit television (HDcctv). The V1.0 HDcctv Standard is derived from the standards adopted by the broadcast industry for digital serial transmission of uncompressed HDTV signals over coaxial cable. Beyond this starting point, planned versions of the HDcctv Standard provide for transmitting HDTV signals over various media, including optical fiber and Cat5. The HDcctv Standard is tuned to meet the needs of surveillance. The Alliance promotes adoption of HDcctv-compliant products, and it provides education both within the surveillance equipment industry and to equipment buyers. HDcctv-compliant products bear the distinctive HDcctv logo which guarantees transmission distance and interoperability with other HDcctv-compliant products. The Alliance also offers an HDcctv Certificate that may be earned by video surveillance system designers, installers, and dealers through an education program. HDcctv Alliance Limited is an Australian Public Company based in Holgate, New South Wales. See the Alliance website at www.highdefcctv.org
