Analog Devices' Low Jitter Clock Generator Provides All Critical Timing Functions on Single Chip, Improving Reliability in Telecommunications and Instrumentation Equipment

14-Channel Clock Generator With 2.8-GHz VCO Features Low Jitter, High Integration to Improve System Reliability and Lower Cost.

NORWOOD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI), a global leader in high-performance semiconductors for signal processing applications, is introducing a family of clock generators designed to improve reliability of telecommunications and instrumentation equipment while reducing cost and size. A clock generator produces a timing signal (known as a clock signal) for use in synchronizing a circuit’s operation. For electronic applications, such as wireless communications and optical networks, where information travels literally at light-speed, clock generators must be extremely precise and reliable. ADI’s single-chip approach replaces several discrete components and, when compared with existing solutions, enables designers to reduce board space and bill-of-materials (BOM) costs for clocking by more than 50 percent. In addition, overall system reliability is improved, as risks associated with the failure of discrete oscillators are greatly diminished.

The AD9516 is the industry’s first clock IC to combine low phase noise clock generation with 14-channel clock distribution at jitter levels below 1 picosecond. The AD9516 series integrates an integer-N synthesizer, two reference inputs, a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), programmable dividers, adjustable delay lines and 14 clock drivers, including LVPECL, LVDS and CMOS. Applications include wireless and wired infrastructure, optical networks, WiMAX base stations, medical imaging, automated test equipment and other instrumentation that require low phase noise and low time jitter in the clock path.

“Global demand for communication services continues to rise, and manufacturers must constantly reduce the size and cost of equipment while maintaining high standards of service and quality,” said Kevin Kattmann, product line director, High-Speed Signal Processing, Analog Devices. “For designers working on wireless base stations, optical networks, and telecom applications, the on-chip VCO eliminates a large discrete oscillator, while the 14 output channels will often provide all of the clocks needed on the transceiver or line card, simplifying space considerations and lowering system costs.”

The AD9516 has five versions, each supporting a specific frequency range. On the high end, the AD9516-0 includes a VCO that tunes from 2.60 GHz to 2.95 GHz. The other parts cover lower frequencies, down to the AD9516-4’s VCO range of 1.50 GHz to 1.90 GHz. Any of the AD9516 family may also be used with an external VCO up to 2.4 GHz. Each device features six LVPECL outputs, which operate up to the maximum VCO rate, as well as four/eight outputs which may be programmed to either LVDS (four outputs max) or CMOS (eight outputs max) levels. In LVDS mode the outputs operate to 1 GHz, and in CMOS mode the outputs operate to 250 MHz.

Packaging, Pricing and Availability

The AD9516-0/1/2/3/4 devices are packaged in 9 mm × 9 mm, 64-lead LFCSP (lead-frame chip-scale packages) and priced at $10.75 per unit in 10,000-piece quantities. They are sampling now and will be available in full production quantities in December 2006. The AD9516 is well-suited for clocking ADI’s high-speed ADCs and DACs, as well as the company’s DDS (direct digital synthesis) products and embedded processors. For more information, visit www.analog.com/pr/AD9516.

About Analog Devices

Innovation, performance, and excellence are the cultural pillars on which Analog Devices has built one of the most long-standing, high-growth companies within the technology sector. Acknowledged industry-wide as the world leader in data conversion and signal conditioning technology, Analog Devices serves over 60,000 customers around the world, representing virtually all types of electronics equipment. Celebrating more than 40 years as a leading global manufacturer of high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications, Analog Devices, Inc. is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, and employs approximately 8,900 people worldwide. It has manufacturing facilities in Massachusetts, California, North Carolina, Ireland, and the Philippines. Analog Devices’ common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and ADI is included in the S&P 500 Index. http://www.analog.com