AUSTIN, Texas, October 05, 2009 -
Silicon
Laboratories Inc. (NASDAQ:SLAB), a leader in high-performance,
analog-intensive, mixed-signal ICs, today introduced the expansion of
its Any-Rate
Clock Generator family with the Si5355/56. The Si535x devices are
made to order, 8-output CMOS clock generators capable of synthesizing
four unique, non-integer related frequencies from 1–200 MHz. The Si535x
clock generators provide guaranteed 0 ppm frequency synthesis error for
any combination of frequencies, enabling the replacement of multiple
clock ICs and crystal oscillators with a single device. Through a
flexible web configuration utility called ClockBuilder™,
factory-customized pin-controlled Si5355 devices are available in less
than two weeks, enabling faster time to market while reducing the bill
of materials in cost-sensitive networking, data communication, telecom
access, computing and general purpose applications.
Modern hardware designs require a diverse combination of non-integer
related reference frequencies for processors, memory, and peripheral
interfaces (e.g., Ethernet, PCI Express, USB, wireless LAN, IEEE1394,
etc.). Traditionally, custom clocks have not been available for the
broad market due to the need to generate custom IC mask sets.
Alternative approaches like 3 PLL and 4 PLL I2C programmable
clock generators cannot guarantee 0 ppm frequency synthesis error for
all combinations of output frequencies. In addition, the jitter
performance of multi-PLL solutions varies significantly with device
frequency configuration, increasing the risk that designs violate
system-level jitter requirements. As a result, hardware designers often
rely on crystal oscillators (XO) for clock generation in many
applications to reduce risk.
The Si5355 leverages a single PLL architecture and Silicon Labs’ proven
MultiSynth fractional divider technology to provide greater frequency
flexibility and lower jitter than 3 PLL or 4 PLL clock generators. Since
the Si5355 can synthesize all frequencies with 0 ppm error, it can
replace multiple clock ICs and crystal oscillators with a single IC. The
Si5355 has consistently low jitter (50 ps pk-pk period jitter)
regardless of frequency configuration, providing significant margin to
system-level jitter requirements.
To further simplify design, the Si5355 can generate any combination of
output frequencies from a standard, low cost 25 or 27 MHz crystal. If
the device frequency plan changes, the same crystal can be reused,
eliminating the higher cost associated with custom frequency crystals
required by some traditional solutions. Alternatively, the Si5355
supports a 5–200 MHz reference clock input, enabling the device to be
used in synchronous applications. Given the Si5355’s frequency
flexibility and jitter performance, BOM cost and complexity can be
significantly reduced.
The Si5355 is the industry’s first clock generator that can be
completely customized and ordered directly online, simplifying product
selection, device configuration and procurement. Silicon Labs’ ClockBuilder™
web-based utility provides turnkey, application-specific clocks,
eliminating the need for field programming hardware and software.
Further, since the Si5355 does not require metal mask changes to
customize clock frequencies like traditional clocks ICs, Silicon Labs
can reduce the lead time associated with custom clocks from six weeks to
less than two weeks.
“Silicon Labs’ approach enables customers to use the simple ClockBuilder
web utility to create custom clocks, revolutionizing the timing IC
industry by enabling a broader range of customers to use clocks
custom-tailored for their applications,” said Dave Bresemann, vice
president of Silicon Laboratories. “Frequency flexibility,
programmability and mixed-signal innovation gives customers new options
for clock generation that will prevent their timing subsystem from
creating delays in their product development cycles.”
The Si535x family includes the Si5356, an I2C-programmable
Any-Rate 1–200 MHz spread spectrum clock generator. Spread spectrum is
available on any clock output with any frequency and any spread amount,
providing a level of design flexibility not available from traditional
solutions restricted to providing spread spectrum on only one or two
frequencies. If system-level electro-magnetic interference (EMI) testing
confirms that spread spectrum is required by an application, spread
spectrum can simply be enabled by pin selection without the need for
component or firmware changes, further simplifying qualification testing
and shortening the overall development cycle.
Pricing and Availability
The Si5355/56 products are available in a space-saving 4x4 mm 24-QFN
package with samples and production quantities available now. Pricing
for the Si5355 is $3.00 in 10k quantities. The Si5356 is priced at $3.60
in 10k quantities. The ClockBuilder utility is available at www.silabs.com/ClockBuilder.
The Si5355-EVB and Si5356-EVB are available now and are each priced at
$125 USD.
Silicon Laboratories Inc.
Silicon Laboratories is an industry leader in the innovation of
high-performance, analog-intensive, mixed-signal ICs. Developed by a
world-class engineering team with unsurpassed expertise in mixed-signal
design, Silicon Labs’ diverse portfolio of highly integrated,
easy-to-use products offers customers significant advantages in
performance, size and power consumption. These patented solutions serve
a broad set of markets and applications including consumer,
communications, computing, industrial and automotive.
Headquartered in Austin, TX, Silicon Labs is a global enterprise with
operations, sales and design activities worldwide. The company is
committed to contributing to our customers’ success by recruiting the
highest quality talent to create industry-changing innovations. For more
information about Silicon Labs, please visit www.silabs.com.
Cautionary Language
This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on
Silicon Laboratories’ current expectations. These forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties. A number of important
factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in
the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of factors that could
impact Silicon Laboratories' financial results and cause actual results
to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements,
please refer to Silicon Laboratories’ filings with the SEC. Silicon
Laboratories disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
Note to editors: Silicon Laboratories, Silicon Labs, the “S” symbol, the
Silicon Laboratories logo and the Silicon Labs logo are trademarks of
Silicon Laboratories Inc. All other product names noted herein may be
trademarks of their respective holders.
