Fledgling Chip-to-Chip Interface Technologies Finding Their Niche in Different Markets Reports In-Stat/MDR

Business Wire, August 24, 2004

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Chip-to-chip interface technologies HyperTransport, PCI Express and RapidIO are gaining ground in a variety of different markets as the PCI bus runs out of steam, reports In-Stat/MDR (http://www.instat.com). The high-tech market research firm finds that chip speed increases and the growing complexity of system architectures and associated data streams is opening promising new doors for these next-generation technologies, and as a result all three combined will experience an average Compound Annual Growth Rate of 173% from 2003 to 2008.

PCI Express is just hitting the streets. According to Mark Kirstein, In-Stat/MDR's general manager and a leading semiconductor industry expert, "Despite a few early missteps, few would doubt that its proliferation will be rapid and complete -- at least in the PC arena. Its ability to reach beyond desktops, notebooks and servers remains to be seen."

HyperTransport, on the other hand, already has a track record -- not only in the PC market, but in game consoles and network switches and routers, as well. "Even with its head start, though, we do not expect HyperTransport to be able to keep up with the sheer numbers that PCI Express will be able to amass," said Kirstein. The market for RapidIO has taken more time to germinate -- but In-Stat/MDR sees some embedded markets in which RapidIO will find a warm welcome, most notably in 3G digital cellular base stations. More broadly, RapidIO will appear anywhere there are embedded systems with host controllers surrounded by a stable of DSPs.

In-Stat/MDR has also found that:

--The big loser in the imminent proliferation of PCI Express is not HyperTransport or RapidIO, but PCI-X, a server-centric extension of the PCI bus to bring more raw bandwidth to the I/O peripherals that needed it in the server market. PCI-X is expected to disappear, altogether, by the end of 2008.

--While PCI and PCI Express will coexist for a transition period, there is no way to support both PCIe and AGP graphics. Thus, graphics will do a hard shift from AGP to PCIe in a given system, and the transition from AGP to PCI Express should be quite rapid.

--HyperTransport and PCI Express will not compete directly for space inside PCs. HyperTransport is focusing on the north bridge to the processor, as well as a connection between processors in multi-processing systems. PCI Express, on the other hand, is focusing on the link between the north bridge and the graphics accelerator, and between the south bridge and PCI peripherals.

--The potential market for the three chip-to-chip interfaces in the consumer electronics segment is in home entertainment, but only one of the interfaces has seen any traction -- that is HyperTransport in the video game console market.

The In-Stat/MDR report, "Emerging Chip-to-Chip Interfaces: Making Connections in Next-Generation Systems" (#IN0401549SI), identifies the key influential standard chip-to-chip interfaces, and forecasts the uptake of each. Specifically, the report looks at the penetration of HyperTransport, PCI Express and RapidIO, and also provides insight into the market/application segments where they are more likely to succeed. To purchase this report, or for more information, please visit: http://www.instat.com/catalog/Scatalogue.asp?id=68 or contact Courtney McEuen at 480-483-4454; cmceuen@reedbusiness.com. The report price is $2,495.

About In-Stat/MDR

In-Stat/MDR (http://www.instat.com) offers a broad range of information resources and analytical assets to technology vendors, service providers, technology professionals, and market specialists worldwide. The company stands alone in its ability to integrate both supply-side and demand-side research methodologies into a single comprehensive view of technology markets and products. This capability relies on a unique ability to cover the entire value chain from engineering-level technology, through equipment, infrastructure, services and end users.

In-Stat/MDR is part of the Reed Electronics Group, a division of Reed Elsevier (www.reedelsevier.com), a world-leading publisher and information provider. With over 38,000 employees worldwide, Reed Elsevier operates in the science & medical, legal, education and business-to-business industry sectors, providing high value and flexible information solutions to professional end users, with increasing emphasis on the Internet.