Integrated Circuits: January 18, 1996

Chip provides triple access to ISDN. The T7903 ISA Multiport wide-area-connection chip simultaneously offers three access ports to digital wide-area networks. Each of the ports can be configured as ISDN terminal endpoints, network terminations, or synchronous serial 56-, 64-, or 128-kbit/sec interfaces. The T7903 supports Microsoft’s version 1.0 ISA plug-and-play host interface for jumperless software allocation of I/O space and interrupt resources. The device comes in a 132-pin JEDEC bumpered QFP and costs $47 (10,000). AT&T Microelectronics, Allentown, PA. (800) 372-2447.

RS-232C ICs need 0.1-µF external capacitor. A series of eight RS-232C interface chips requires smaller capacitance and a lower cost external capacitor than previous versions: 0.1 µF vs 1.0 µF. The HIN200, 202, 204, 206, 207, 208, and 211 operate from single 5V supplies; the HIN201 operates from dual 5V and 7.5 to 13.2V supplies. The HIN202 has two RS-232C drivers and two receivers. Other family members offer different driver/receiver combinations. Packaging options include 16-, 20-, 24-, and 28-pin DIP, SOIC, and SSOP configurations. Prices range from $1.50 to $2.45 (100). Harris Semiconductor, Melbourne, FL. (800) 442-7747, ext 7142.

Controller boards support multifunction peripherals. The XipPower family of multifunction peripheral controllers integrates print, scan, copy, and fax capabilities into a broad range of computer peripherals. Concurrent functions include 600-dpi printing at up to 35 pages/min and 600-dpi copying at up to 90 copies/min. Each of the single-board controllers is based on the XipChip image-processing CPU, combined with an IBM PowerPC 401 series 32-bit embedded RISC core processor, and the XipPower operating kernel. Xionics Document Technologies Inc, Burlington, MA. (617) 229-7000.

I/O processor handles Fast-20 SCSI transfers. The SYM53C770 I/O processor provides a smooth migration path from Fast SCSI to Fast-20, also known as Ultra SCSI, for systems using the SYM53C720. The device performs Fast-20 SCSI data transfers at 40 Mbytes/ sec in wide (16-bit) mode and 20 Mbytes/sec in narrow (8-bit) mode. Housed in a 208-pin QFP, the SYM5-3C770 handles both single-ended and differential transfers and includes a 96-byte DMA FIFO and 4-kbyte Scripts RAM. Prices start at $52.80 (5000). Symbios Logic Inc, Colorado Springs, CO. (800) 334-5454.

1.2V reference comes in SOT-23 package. The AD1580 shunt-voltage reference offers a stable 1.225V typical output for input currents operating from 50 µA to 10 µA. Housed in a SOT-23 surface-mount package, the AD1580’s power dissipation goes as low as 135 µW. The part has an initial-maximum-error of ±0.1 or ±1.0% and a maximum-temperature coefficient of 50 or 100 ppm/°C over a range of -40 to +85°C. Prices start at $0.75 (1000). Analog Devices Inc, Wilmington, MA. (617) 937-1428.

Coaxial Ethernet transceiver works at extended distances. The CY7B8392 transceiver for coaxial-cable Ethernet networks draws an ICC of 20 mA and covers transmission distances as long as 300m. In network-interface cards, external media-attachment units, PC Cards, and repeaters, the IC provides hybrid collision detection to allow transmissions without the use of a repeater. It also offers automatic attachment-unit-interface selection. It comes in 28-pin PLCCs and 16-pin DIPs and costs $3.25 (1000). Cypress Semiconductor, San Jose, CA. (408) 943-2600.

SRAM module has dual ports. The 7MP1015 SRAM memory module provides two independent ports with separate control, address, and I/O pins and occupies 1 in.² of pc-board space. The 32k×32 device has access times as short as 25 nsec. With a full 128-kbyte buffer, the 7MP1015 offers a 32-bit data path that operates at 40 MHz on both ports and allows data to be accessed at up to 1.28 Gbps. The CMOS device combines four dual-port SRAMs in TQFPs on a single 128-lead DIMM. Prices start at $178 (1000). Integrated Device Technology Inc, Santa Clara, CA. (800) 345-7015.

Low-power op amp has a slew rate of 1280V/µsec. The LM7121 voltage-feedback amplifier has a bandwidth of 235 MHz and a slew rate of 1280V/µsec for high-speed amplification in video and imaging designs. The device drives unlimited capacitive loads; is characterized for 5, ±5, and ±15V supplies; and draws 5.3 mA. The LM7121 is available in plastic DIP and surface-mount packages and is contained in a TinyPak SOT-23 5-pin package. All versions operate over industrial temperature ranges and cost $0.99 each. National Semiconductor Corp, Santa Clara, CA. (800) 272-9959.

Open-drain comparators boast low-quiescent current. A series of single, dual, and quad comparators, MAX971 through MAX974, comes with an on-chip 1.2V reference accurate to within ±1%. Suitable for battery-powered 3 or 5V single-supply applications, the devices operate from a 2.5 to 11V supply or from ±1.25 to ±5.5V dual supplies, and draw <4-µA current. Open-drain outputs enable wire-ORed configurations. The comparators come in eight-pin DIP, SO, and ultra-small packages. Prices start at $1.50 (1000). Maxim Integrated Products, Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 737-7600 ext 6087.

Current-fed PWM controller operates at 500 kHz. Designed for current-fed power supply topologies, the MIC3832 and MIC3833 PWM regulators have one PWM stage operating at up to 500 kHz and two alternating output stages that operate at one-half the PWM frequency on a fixed 50% duty cycle. The three output stages are totem-pole drivers, capable of supplying 1A of peak current to external power MOSFETs, BJTs, or IGBTs. The MIC3832 operates from a 16 to 21V supply; the MIC3833 operates from an 8.3 to 21V supply. Packaging options include 16-pin SOICs and 16-pin plastic and ceramic DIPs. Plastic DIP versions cost $2.80 (100). Micrel Semiconductor Inc, San Jose, CA. (408) 944-0800.

ICs sport FireWire IEEE-1394 serial bus. Two ICs incorporate Apple’s FireWire implementation of the IEEE- 1394 high-speed serial bus for connecting computers to digital VCRs and other audio/visual equipment. The CXD1940R and CXD1944R support the IEEE1394 link and physical layers, respectively. Housed in a 100-pin LQFP, the CXD1940R offers a large capacity FIFO and AV protocol support. The CXD1944R comes in a 64-pin LQFP and allows bus transfers at 100 and 200 Mbits/sec. Sample pricing is $30 for the CXD1940R and $20 for the CXD1944R. Sony Electronics Inc, San Jose, CA. (408) 955-6572.

Chip provides discrete-to-digital interface. A monolithic IC, the DD-03201, can interface be-tween two-state electrical devices such as switches, relays, solenoids, or lamps, and 8- or 16-bit microprocessors. The pin-programmable DD-03201 provides 96 single- or 32 triple-redundant, fault-tolerant discrete inputs and comes in 164-pin plastic or ceramic QFPs. Outputs are 8- or 16-bit three-state TTL. Plastic QFP versions cost $99 (100). ILC Data Device Corp, Bohemia, NY. (516) 567-5600.

Audio chip set and board provide stereo sound for PCs. The Sound Festa chip set, a 16-bit stereo solution for PCs, consists of the vendor’s µPD77525 DSP, µPD63310 codec, and µPD7-7526 music controller. A board version of the Sound Festa, from Spectrum Signal Processing, works with Windows 3.1, 3.11, and 95, and provides 2 Mbytes of ROM for wave-table samples. The chip set costs $39.50 per unit (50,0000/month); the board sells for $85 in OEM quantities. NEC Electronics Inc, Mountain View, CA. (800) 366-9782.

Fixed-voltage regulators keep dropout low. The LF00A/C series of fixed-voltage regulators offers as much as 500 mA of output current, 0.45V typ dropout voltage, and 50-µA typical quiescent current. Fixed outputs include 1.25, 1.5, 2.5, 2.7, 3, 3.3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 4.7, 5, 5.2, and 5.5V. Also available are devices with fixed outputs of 1.25 and 1.5V and a dropout of 0.9V. Packaging options include Pentawatt, TO-220, Isowatt220, Dpak, and Ppak. Prices start at $0.60 (>10,000) for Dpak versions. SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, Lincoln, MA. (617) 259-0300.

Ceramic-substrate pressure sensors are drop-in alternatives. Housed in miniature ceramic DIPs, the NPC series of silicon piezoresistive-pressure sensors offers from 0- to 5-psi through 0- to 100-psi ranges in gauge and differential pressure and from 0- to 15-psi through 0- to 100-psi ranges in absolute pressure. The NPC-410, an uncompensated resistor; the NPC-1210, a compensated with gain-set resistor; and the NPC-1220, a compensated with current-set resistor operate over a temperature range of 0 to 60°C and can be used as drop-in replacements for consumer and industrial OEM applications. Prices start at $9 (500). Lucas Novasensor, Fremont, CA. (501) 661-6000.

Sound IC integrates wave-table components. Intended for all PC audio platforms, from add-in cards to motherboards, the OPL4-ML combines a Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) processor with a wave-table and an FM synthesizer on a single chip. The device’s 1-Mbyte on-chip ROM contains a wave-table-sample set that ensures system compatibility with all MIDI software. Supplied in a 100-pin SQFP, the OPL4-ML costs about $20 in volume quantities. Yamaha Systems Technology Inc, San Jose, CA. (408) 467-2300.

Quad switches have ultralow charge injection. With on-chip charge-balancing and charge-cancellation circuitry, a family of quad analog switches has a charge injection of 0.2 pC, which results in low signal distortion. The low charge injection also enables the device to work with 200-pF capacitors, rather than the 1000-pF capacitors typically required. The ALD4211, ALD4212, and ALD4213 spst switches operate from single- or split-power supplies, ranging from 3 to 10V or ±1.5 to ±5V. Packaging options include 16-pin ceramic and plastic DIPs and SOIC configurations. Prices start at $1.83 (100). Advanced Linear Devices, Sunnyvale, CA. (408)747-1155.

PCI chip sets work with Pentium Pro processor. The 82450 family of PCI chip sets, the 82450GX for servers and the 82450KX for workstations and desktops, harnesses the power of the Pentium Pro processor for a wide range of designs. The devices offer multiple PCI slots and glueless multiprocessing with single-bit error correction. Memory can be upgraded to up to 4 Gbytes. Both chip sets consist of four components: a PCI bridge, a data path, a data controller, and a memory-interface component. The QFP versions of the 82450GX and 82450KX sets cost $291.60 and $209 (1000), respectively . Intel Corp, Santa Clara, CA. (800) 548-4725.