Clock generators offer frequency flexibility

Based on Multisynth technology, the Si5338 is capable of synthesising any frequency from 0.16 to 350MHz and select frequencies to 700MHz on each of the device's four differential outputs.

This simplifies timing architectures by replacing four discrete phase-locked loop (PLL) devices with a single IC.

The Si5338 shortens design cycles for applications such as next generation communications equipment, wireless base stations, broadcast video, test and measurement and data acquisition.

The Si5338 is able to simultaneously generate low jitter clocks for a variety of ICs, including processors, FPGAs, ASICs, memory and physical layer transceivers.

The device generates four differential or eight single-ended outputs per device, eliminating the need for external clock distribution buffers.

In addition to frequency, each output clock is independently configurable in terms of supply voltage (1.5V, 1.8V, 2.5V, 3.3V) and signal format (LVPECL, LVDS, CMOS, HCSL, SSTL, HSTL), eliminating the need for external level translators.

The any-rate, any-output capability provided by the Si5338 simplifies timing architectures by replacing fixed frequency clock generators, discrete level translators and crystal oscillators with a single device.

To simplify board-level test, the Si5338 includes a frequency margining feature that enables the frequency of each output clock to be varied dynamically over the 0.16 to 350MHz range.

For applications that do not require the programmability provided by the Si5338, Silicon Labs is also introducing a broad portfolio of Si5334 pin-controlled clock generators.

More than 70 Si5334 devices are available for Ethernet, Fibre Channel, PCI Express, T1/E1, broadcast video (HDTV) and SONET/SDH OC-3/12/48 applications.

In addition, Silicon Labs is introducing the Si5330 range of low-jitter, low-skew clock buffers that support a range of output clock formats.

The Si5330 flexible clock buffer produces four or eight buffered copies of the input clock and is available in both differential and single-ended versions.