STMicroelectronics (News - Alert) supplying analog and mixed-signal ICs announced the introduction of the first six devices in a series of clock-distribution ICs. These ICs are capable of providing per-channel output-enable controls suitable for precision clock management in embedded and handheld applications.

 

The two-channel STCD1020, three-channel STCD1030 and four-channel STCD1040 enable savings in component count, board complexity and bill-of-materials costs in multi-mode devices such as cellular handsets and M2M (machine-to-machine) communications.

 

By the distribution of a single master clock to multiple clock domains, designers can avoid multiple individual crystal clock sources for chipsets. These chipsets support different applications like GSM, Bluetooth, WLAN, WiMAX (News - Alert) or other RF communications, besides set-top boxes. As crystal components reduce in number their applications will benefit from increased physical ruggedness.

 

The various individual output-enable controls offer a fast startup time and a 2.6mA typical quiescent current and 1 microamp standby current for the STDC 1040. This will reduce power consumption in battery-powered and embedded applications. When an Enable signal is given the selected channel’s output is stabilized within 50 microseconds from standby.

 

The power savings offer several advantages like longer battery life, better thermal management and smaller physical size. The STCD1040 consumes lesser current than a 4-channel solution which needs 5 individual emitter-follower circuits and occupies more space on the PCB. In the STCD1040, high channel isolation reduces crosstalk which is not possible with discrete components. The low phase noise further enhances signal quality.

 

These clock-distribution ICs are especially designed for transmission of a single-ended sine-wave or square-wave in the range of 10-52 MHz. These ICs also integrate an AC coupling capacitor for minimizing external components. The standard supply voltage is 2.5V to 3.6V besides it can be used with low-voltage peripherals also. The optimum operating temperature range is -40 degrees C to +85 degrees C hence is suitable for use in several commercial and industrial applications.

 

The devices’ small TDFN packages offer space savings with the STCD1020 coming in a small package of 2 x 2mm 8-lead and the STCD1030 in a 2 x 2.5mm 10-lead package, and the STCD1040 in a 2 x 3mm 12-lead package.

 

STMicroelectronics specializes in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. It has sufficient expertise in silicon and systems, manufacturing strength and Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio. The company also specializes in System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products are most suitable for convergence markets

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