Integrated Circuits: January 4, 1996

Flat-panel accelerator IC supports MPEG-1, UMA. A multimedia flat-panel controller, the Cyber9385, serves as a graphical user interface and video accelerator for notebook computers. The 64-bit DRAM-based controller chip provides accelerated MPEG-1 playback and supports the Unified Memory Architecture (UMA), a system architecture that reallocates existing system memory to accommodate the graphic frame buffer. An on-chip processor performs horizontal and vertical interpolation to eliminate jagged edges, blocking, and blurred images. The Cyber9385 simultaneously displays images on a TV and the notebook’s LCD panel. It costs $40 (10,000). Trident Microsystems Inc, Mountain View, CA. (415) 691-9211.

IC charges lithium-ion batteries. The 16-pin bq2054 Fast Charge IC charge controller for lithium-ion batteries includes an on-chip pulse-width modulator, a reference, a charge timer, and status indicators. The device’s internal reference provides >1% voltage regulation. The bq2054 inhibits charging when the battery voltage and temperature are outside user-configurable limits. Maximum charging time is also user-selectable. An external resistor-capacitor network sets PWM frequency. The bq2054 comes in a 16-pin SOIC package and works in in-system charging, as a stand-alone charger, or in a battery pack. It costs $3.82 (25,000). Benchmarq Microelectronics Inc, Dallas, TX. (214) 437-9195.

Graphics chip performs Windows 95 acceleration. Based on Unified Memory Architecture, a 64-bit graphical user interface and video accelerator for Windows 95 uses existing PC system memory, rather than dedicated graphics memory, to process video images. The TGUI9682 offers MPEG-1 display using a proprietary edge-recovery technique to deliver images at resolutions of up to 1024×768 pixels and refresh rates of 75 Hz. The video port of the chip interfaces directly with hardware MPEG/video decoders. The TGUI9682 costs $30 (10,000).Trident Microsystems Inc, Mountain View, CA. (415) 691-9211.

SIMMs fill PC’s need for second-level cache and more. A line of SRAM modules for second-level cache in PCs comes packaged as single in-line memory modules (SIMMs). The SIMM package allows either asynchronous or synchronous cache to work in the same socket without design changes. Modules are available for Intel 82430NX (Neptune) and 82430FX (Triton) as well as VLSI 82C590 and Opti Viper chip sets. In addition, a family of JEDEC-standard modules fills 32-bit memory requirements in networking, DSP-board, and memory-test applications. Here too, the modules allow multiple configurations to fit the same socket, easing upgrades. Present modules range from 64k×32 to 1M×32 bits and fit 64- and 72-position SIMM/ZIP sockets. Paradigm Technology Inc, San Jose, CA. (408) 954-0500.

RF power module suits GSM mobile telephones. The STM915-14 is a quasi-linear RF power amplifier module for use in Global System for Mobile (GSM) transmitters. It operates at 12.5V and delivers a minimum output power of 14W over a 890- to 915-MHz frequency range. Minimum gain is 41.5 dB, and maximum harmonic distortion is -45 dBc at full output power. With all spurious outputs >60 dB below the carrier, the STM915-14 withstands a 10-to-1 VSWR load mismatch without degrading output power. The device costs $19 (50,000). SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, Lincoln, MA. (617) 259-0300.

PLD holds 50,000 gates. A member of the Flex 10K family, the EPF10K50 PLD packs 50,000 gates into a 403-pin-grid array. An embedded architecture combines logic-array blocks (LABs) and embedded-array blocks (EABs) for implementing logic, memory, and specialized functions in a single device. In addition to 360 LABs, the EPF10K50 has 10 EABs, yielding up to 20 kbits of RAM or ROM. The device costs $850 (100). Altera Corp, San Jose, CA. (408) 894-7000.

Cell-based ASICs slash power consumption. A family of 0.35-µm ASICs offers devices in 25 sizes, ranging from 80,000 to 3.5 million raw gates. The CB-C9 devices have a power dissipation of only 0.7 µW/MHz/ gate at 3.3V. Performance is rated at 113 psec for a two-NAND gate loaded with two fan-outs and 0.4 mm of wire, enabling the CB-C9 to support target system speeds as high as 150 MHz. Additional features include a 200-MHz PLL for accurate on-chip clock generation and synchronization, along with compiled high-speed RAM and ROM. A device with a 16-bit CPU, 150,000 gates of user logic, and 32 kbytes of RAM in a 208-pin QFP typically costs $220 (10,000). NEC Electronics Inc, Mountain View, CA. (800) 366-9782.

High-speed ASICs supply up to 379,000 raw gates. A line of 3.3V ASICs, fabricated in a 0.35-µm drawn BiCMOS, comprises 11 base arrays ranging from 32,000 to 379,000 raw gates (19,000 to 223,000 usable gates). The QB-8 family offers 139-psec performance and power dissipation of 0.26 µW/MHz/ gate. The first library release supports most I/O interface standards, including high-speed (100-MHz), 5V and 3.3V low-voltage TTL, 250-MHz pseudo-ECL, and 5V protected. One family member, the QB-8E, operates at 622 MHz and targets high-speed embedded applications. Typical unit price is $60 (30,000) plus NRE costs. NEC Electronics Inc, Mountain View, CA. (800) 366-9782.

Deep, asynchronous FIFO memories pave easy upgrade path for buffer-hungry equipment. Two industry-standard, asynchronous FIFO memory chips help designers extend the life of existing equipment designs and reduce the cost per bit by up to 50%. The 32k×9-bit IDT7207 and 64k×9-bit IDT7208 are pin-compatible with all IDT720x asynchronous memories. In addition, each includes retransmit capability; simultaneous read and write access; and flags that indicate when the buffer is empty, half full, and full. You can expand both memories in depth or width. The shortest available access times are 15 nsec for the IDT7207 and 20 nsec for the IDT7208. Prices start at $37.34 and $56.10, respectively (5000). Integrated Device Technology Inc, Santa Clara, CA. (800) 345-7015.

Four-chip flash module gets DESC nod. The 32-Mbyte WF1024K32-XG4TQ flash-memory module, organized as 1024k×32 and available with access times of 100 and 150 nsec, has earned Defense Electronics Supply Center (DESC) qualification. The module’s sector architecture comprises 16 equal-sized sectors of 64 kbytes for each of the four 1024k×8-bit chips. The CMOS device operates from a 5V supply, with a typical standby current of 3 mA. Programming requires 12V. Versions of the WF1024K32-XG4TQ operate over the commercial, industrial, and military temperature ranges. Packaging options include ceramic PGA and QFP configurations. The 100-nsec version sells for $918 (100). White Microelectronics, Phoenix, AZ. (602) 437-1520.

8- and 4-Mbyte flash-memory chips take 2.7V power for portability. A pair of high-performance flash-memory devices available in ×8 and ×16 bus architectures operate at 2.7V to meet the nonvolatile memory requirements of wireless, handheld equipment. The 8-Mbit 28F800CE and 4-Mbit 28F400CE both have a 120-nsec access time at 3.3 and 2.7V. Both memories also embody a boot-block architecture that allows variable block sizes and features a hardware-lockable boot block for fail-safe updates. The chips come in 40- and 48-lead TSOPs costing $27.50 and $31.50, respectively, for the 8-Mbit parts and $15 and $16.10 (10,000), respectively, for the 4-Mbit parts. Samples are available now, and production quantities are scheduled for the second quarter. Intel Corp, Santa Clara, CA. (800) 879-4683.

Servo amp ensures rapid motor acceleration. A brushless servo amplifier delivers ±30A peak current (2400W) for rapid servomotor acceleration and braking. The Model 5131 amplifier module operates from a single-polarity dc supply of 24 to 90V and develops ±30A pk at ±80V and ±15A continuously. The amplifier also provides a 5V output at 200 mA to power-commutating encoders. A switching frequency of 25 kHz enables the Model 5131 to accommodate motors with an inductance range 0.2 to 40 mH. Module dimensions are 5.09×3.28×1.43 in. The servoamplifier costs $439. Copley Controls Corp, Westwood, MA. (617) 329-8200.

Digitizer IC simplifies bar-code reading. By pulsing the LED light source, the HBCC-0500 bar-code digitizer IC reduces both power consumption and sensitivity to ambient light. The device achieves, >100-klm ambient-light rejection by detecting and filtering the 30-kHz carrier frequency produced by the pulsing of the light source. The HBCC-0500 comes in a 24-pin SOIC plastic package and costs $6 (100). Hewlett-Packard Co, Santa Clara, CA. (800) 452-4844, ext 1091.

SONET/SDH/ATM transceiver IC is highly integrated. A transceiver IC for 622- or 155-Mbps synchronous-optical-network (SONET), synchronous-digital-hierarchy (SDH), and asynchronous-transfer-mode (ATM) applications provides multiplexing, demultiplexing, framing, PLL clock synthesis, and line and clock diagnostics. The TQ8105, which exceeds stringent Bellcore and International Telecommunication Union jitter specifications, operates from a 5V supply. It comes in a 100-pin electrically and thermally enhanced JEDEC-standard, 14-mm plastic package. The part operates over a temperature range of -40 to +125°C and costs $53 (1000). Triquint Semiconductor Inc, Beaverton, OR. (503) 644-3535.

Transceiver IC handles RS-232C, RS-485 communications. You can configure each of the LTC1334’s two interface ports as one RS-485 driver/receiver pair or two RS-232C driver-receiver pairs. The transceiver has an on-chip charge pump that requires four external 0.1-µF capacitors to generate the positive and negative power-supply levels that drive the RS-232C output voltage levels. The device handles data rates of 10 Mbps and 120 kbps for RS-485 and RS-232C transmissions, respectively. All interface lines are internally protected from repeated ±10-kV ESD transients. The LTC1334 comes in 28-pin SO and DIP versions, and prices start at $6.50 (1000). Linear Technology Corp, Milpitas, CA. (408) 432-1900.

Op amp requires single supply as low as 3V. The CLC423 voltage-feedback op amp provides near rail-to-rail operation from a single 3 to 10V supply, with the input-voltage range including the negative rail. Operating from 5V, the CLC423 delivers a 43-MHz small-signal bandwidth at a gain of 2 V/V, a 150-V/µsec slew rate, and 37-mW power consumption. From 5V, the op amp also delivers an output of 4.7V p-p. With a single 3V supply, the CLC423 maintains a 42-MHz bandwidth at a gain of 2V/V and a 115-V/msec slew rate. The op amp comes in eight-pin DIP and SOIC packages and operates over a temperature range of -40 to +85°C. Comlinear Corp, Fort Collins, CO. (800) 272-9959.

ATM multiplexer/demultiplexer provides buffered Utopia ports. An asynchronous-transfer-mode (ATM) multiplexer/demultiplexer provides five Utopia port interfaces that transfer data at rates of 200 to 800 Mbps. The device comes with an on-chip FIFO buffer and a µ port. The four multiplexed byte-wide ports conform to the ATM Forum’s Utopia Level 1, Version 2.01 specification; the fifth high-speed port is word- or byte-wide and supports Utopia Level 2. The QS6810 can be used as a concentrator or fan-out expander and as a switch element. The CMOS device comes in a 208-pin PQFP and costs $36.50 (1000). Quality Semiconductor Inc, Santa Clara, CA. (408) 450-8080.

1-Mbit CMOS SRAM operates at 12 nsec. Organized as 128k×8 or 256k×4 bits, a CMOS SRAM accesses data in 12 nsec. The vendor fabricates the PDM41024SA12SO and PDM410- 28SA12SO using a patented CMOS process, which includes self-aligning contact and interconnect structures. In either configuration, the device costs $31 (1000). Paradigm Technology Inc, San Jose, CA. (408) 954-0500.

Triple DAC handles color conversion. The CH8438A combines a 24-bit YUV-to-RGB converter, three 8-bit DACs, an analog multiplexer, an attenuator, and three video buffers in a single 44-pin PQFP. The device, which serves as a 24-bit digital pixel-bus interface, supports RGB, 4:4:4 YUV, and 4:2:2 YCrCb input formats. Operating from a 5V supply, the converter consumes 0.55W and has a supply current of about 110 mA. It costs $8 (10,000). Chrontel, Inc, San Jose, CA. (408) 383-9328.

Temperature-sensor chip protects CPUs. The TC623 solid-state temperature sensor connects to a microcontroller, an ASIC, or another logic device and warns of impending thermal-overload condition. The device offers two programmable setpoints and two independent temperature-limit outputs, accurate to within ±3°C. The chip operates from a supply voltage range of 2.7 to 4.5V and comes in eight-pin DIP or SOIC configurations. Operating temperature ranges include 0 to 70°C, -40 to +85°C, and -40 to +125°C. Prices start at $3.39 (1000). Telcom Semiconductor Inc, Mountain View, CA. (415) 968-9241.

9-bit-wide FIFO comes in 32-pin TQFP. Suitable for cellular base stations and other applications in which space is at a premium, memory devices in the 9-bit-wide SyncFIFO family are now available in 32-pin TQFPs. With dimensions of 9×9×1.6 mm and an area of 81 mm², the package is half the size of existing 32-pin PLCCs. Lead spacings are 0.8 mm. Devices in the TQFP include 64, 256, 512, 1k, 2k, and 4k×9-bit configurations with access times of 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, and 25 nsec. Base prices range from $5.15 to $14.90 (5000). Integrated Device Technology Inc, Santa Clara, CA. (800) 345-7015.

Photovoltaic relay switches high-current loads. The PVG612 photovoltaic relay comes in a six-pin plastic DIP and handles up to 60V ac or dc at up to 1A of load current. For dc-only operation, the relay’s load-current-handling capability extends to 2A. The PVG612 is a single-pole, normally open solid-state relay that incorporates a photovoltaic generator and HEXFET power MOSFET transistors as the output switch. It costs $2.30 (25,000). International Rectifier Corp, El Segundo, CA. (310) 322-3331.

18-line SCSI terminator aims for efficiency. An 18-line SCSI active terminator offers a 100-µA disconnect mode and a 6-pF channel capacitance for power efficiency and signal integrity. A 200-mA sink current and a -650-mA source current for termination support active negation drivers and SCSI standards. The UC5608, a member of the Bus Boss family, comes in low-thermal-resistance versions of the industry-standard 28-pin wide-body SOIC, 28-pin PLCC, and 24-pin DIP. The part costs $3.26 (1000). Unitrode Integrated Circuits Corp, Merrimack, NH. (603) 424-2410.

SAW IF filters suit digital wireless communications. The PX series of SAW IF filters has a maximum insertion loss of 4 dB, a minimum 3-dB bandwidth of 30 kHz, and 65 dB of image rejection at -910 kHz. The filters work in such applications as IS-54B digital cellular phones. The PX1002 has a center frequency of 86.85 MHz, and the PX1004 has a center frequency of 82.20 MHz. Both come in 13.3×6.5×2-mm, hermetically sealed, surface-mount packages and cost $12.50 (1000). RF Monolithics Inc, Dallas, TX. (214) 233-2903.

Wideband quad op amp settles in 20 nsec. With a unity-gain-stable bandwidth of 360 MHz, the OPA4650 quad voltage-feedback op amp settles to within 0.01% in 20 nsec. The device also has an input-bias current of 5 µA and a power dissipation of 50 mW/channel. The OPA4650 targets portable, multichannel, telecommunications, medical-imaging, and video applications. The OPA4650 comes in 14-pin DIP and SO-14 packages. Prices start at $5.12 (1000). Burr-Brown Corp, Tucson, AZ. (602) 746-1111.