Integrated Circuits: February 1, 1996

Transmitter/receiver chip set is GLM-compliant. A gigabit link module (GLM), the S2044 and S2045 transmitter and receiver chip set, transmits data at 1062.5 Mbps, 531.25 Mbps half-GLM (HGLM), and 266 Mbps quarter-GLM (QGLM) with associated 10- or 20-bit data words. The I/O section of the chip set operates from either a 3.3 or 5V supply. Each chip comes in a 10×10-mm 52-pin PQFP with a combined power dissipation of only 1W at 3.3V. The pair operates over fiber-optic or coaxial cable interfaces in accordance with ANSI X3T11 Fibre Channel specifications. The chip set costs $38 each (1000). Applied Micro Circuits Corp, San Diego, CA. (619) 450-9333.

Clock chip keeps time for Pentium and Pro. Operating from a 3.3V supply, the ICS9159-05 clock generator for Pentium- and Pentium Pro-based systems supplies as many as 14 clocks operating at 50, 60, and 66.6 MHz. The device requires only a 14.318-MHz crystal. Generated processor clocks have < ±200 psec of cycle-to-cycle jitter. In applications where multiple clocks require phase synchronization, the ICS9159-05 provides phase separation of < ±250 psec. Housed in a 28-pin SOIC, the CMOS device costs $2.75 (10,000). Integrated Circuit Systems Inc, San Jose, CA. (408) 297-1201.

Surface-mount VCO works up to 863 MHz. Supplied in a mini 0.50×0.50×0.20-in. surface-mount package, the D850ME01 generates frequencies between 837 and 863 MHz to within 0.75 to 4.25V of the control voltage. The VCO exhibits an average gain of 20 MHz/V over the 26-MHz bandwidth. It also delivers 2.5 to ±2.5 dBm into a 50 Ohm load with a 5V-dc nominal bias, and it draws <20 mA over an operating temperature range of 0 to 85°C. Phase noise is rated at -100 dBc/Hz typ at a 10-kHz offset from the carrier. The D850ME01 costs $15 (1000). Z-Communications Inc, San Diego, CA. (619) 621-2700.

LVDS ICs carry LCD interface. The DS90CR561/2 driver and DS90CR581/2 receiver are low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) devices that present an 18-bit or 24-bit color LCD interface compatible with XGA, VGA, and SVGA displays. The devices use LVDS and a clock-splitting technique to serialize data. The transmitter can reach bandwidths as high as 140 Mbytes/sec. Both the DS90CR561/2 and DS90CR581/2 target designs using rising-edge clocks. Housed in 48- and 56-lead TSSOPs, the 561/2 and 581/2 drivers and receivers cost $6 and $6.25 each, respectively (1000). National Semiconductor Corp, Santa Clara, CA. (800) 272-9959

Logic chip set works with 586 processors. Designed for 32-bit 586 processors such as the Cyrix 5x86, the 82C465MVB core-logic chip set lets you upgrade 486-based notebooks with 586-class performance. When used with EDO DRAM, the 82C465MVB eliminates the need for a level-2 cache. The device also has an integrated Type F DMA-interface to improve CPU and memory bandwidth for audio-transfer functions. The 82C465MVB is offered in three- or five-chip packages, including a PCMCIA controller, 602ARTC/buffer, SVGA controller, and audio controller. Housed in a 208-pin PQFP or TQFP, the 82C465MVB costs $57 in a five-chip configuration (10,000). Opti Inc, Milpitas, CA. (408) 486-8000.

RF-power-amplifier IC delivers 1W. Optimized for use as the front-end transmit amplifier in analog cellular telephones and cellular digital-packet-data modems, the TQ9142 operates over a frequency range of 824 to 849 MHz. The amplifier IC achieves a typical efficiency of over 60% for a power output of 30.5 dBm (decibel referred to 1W), while operating at 4.8V, typically provided by four NiCd or NiMH battery cells. The part comes in a SO-16 package and costs $4.25 (50,000 units/year). Triquint Semiconductor Inc, Beaverton, OR. (503) 644-3535.

Logic devices’ I/Os are 5V-tolerant. Although the core logic runs on 3V, the LVC XXXA’s I/O stages accept 5V, 3V, or mixed-voltage levels. The family of CMOS devices provides a smooth migration path from 5V systems, through a mixed-voltage transition period, to the rapidly approaching pure 3.3V environment. Features include optional bus-hold circuitry, damping resistors, a power-off leakage current of 10 µA, and a minimum data retention voltage of 1.2V. Prices range from $0.18 to $0.50 (10,000). Philips Semiconductors, Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 991-2000.

Analog multiplexers are serially controlled. Two CMOS analog multiplexers are equipped with a serial interface that is compatible with either SPI/QSPI or Microwire. The MAX349 is an eight-channel single-ended device, while the MAX350 is a dual four-channel unit. A low on-resistance of 100 Ohm maximum is matched between channels to 5 Ohm maximum and is flat (10 Ohm maximum) over the specified signal range. The device continuously operates from dual supplies of ±2.7 to ±8V or a single supply of 2.7 to 16V. Packaging options include 18-pin DIP and SO versions. Prices start at $2.98 (1000). Maxim Integrated Products, Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 737-7600, ext 6087.

Video signal decoder targets multimedia PCs. The SAA7111 video-input processor digitizes and decodes PAL or NTSC composite video (CVBS) or S-video (YC) signals into 16-bit 4:2:2 formatted YUV data at pixel rates and signal levels that conform to CCIR 601 recommendations. Although intended for use in multimedia PCs, the SAA7111 can also produce 12-bit 4:1:1, 8-bit 4:2:2 (CCIR 656), and 16-bit 5:6:5 RGB output data for applications in video conferencing, video phones, and video-editing equipment. The device, which comes in a 68-lead PLCC, costs $14.26 (10,000). Philips Semiconductors, Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 991-2000.

Ethernet controllers manage ISA and PCI buses. The VT86C916 Nile and VT86C926 Amazon Ethernet controllers provide plug and play 10BaseT interfaces for the ISA and PCI bus, respectively. Both chips offer 32-bit I/O and a parallel processing architecture for improved network adapters throughput. Optional full-duplex operation reaches speeds of up to 20 Mbps. Supplied in 100-pin PQFPs, the VT86C916 costs $6 and the VT86C926 costs $10 (10,000). Via Technologies Inc, Fremont, CA. (510) 683-3300.

Chips handle switching in serial backplane designs. Serializer/deserializer chip sets and differential crosspoint switches are intended for high-speed serial backplane applications, such as ATM and Fibre Channel. The S2048 provides clock-synthesis and serializer functions, and the S2049 provides clock-recovery and deserializer functions. With differential 10K PECL input/output connections, the S2016 (16×16) and S2025 (32×32) crosspoint switches handle NRZ data rates of up to 1.5 Gbps. The chip set is housed in a pair of 52-pin PQFPs and sells for $34 (1000). The S2016 comes in a 120-pin thermally enhanced-plastic package and costs $85; the S2025 comes in a 196-pin leaded-chip carrier and costs $349 (1000). Applied Micro Circuits Corp, San Diego, CA. (619) 450-9333.

Multistandard encoder ICs serve digital video systems. Two digital video encoders, the SAA7182 and SAA7183, offer a single-chip solution for encoding digital video into PAL, SECAM, or NTSC composite video; S-video (Y/C); and RGB analog signals. The SAA7183 also provides Macrovision Pay-Per-View copy protection. By incorporating two independent 27-MHz triple DACs, the ICs are able to generate CVBS, S-video, and RGB outputs simultaneously. Both encoders allow closed caption, extended data service, and Teletext insertion. The 5V CMOS devices are packaged in 84-lead PLCCs. Philips Semiconductors, Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 991-2000.

Audio subsystem sits on a single chip. The ES1868 AudioDrive integrates an FM synthesis, full-duplex operation, 16-bit 44.1-kHz stereo sound, and Windows 95 Plug-and-Play support for multiple devices. Direct interfaces are provided for an external modem DSP, IDE CD-ROM, MPU-401 MIDI serial port, a serial port for a wavetable synthesizer, dual joystick ports, and hardware volume control. Driver software supports PC stereo audio under Windows, Windows 95, Windows NT, and Windows Sound System 2.0, as well as IBM OS/2 Warp. Housed in a 100-pin PQFP, the ES1868 costs $25 (10,000). ESS Technology Inc, Fremont, CA. (510) 226-1088.

ICs implement hysteretic current-mode control. Although the CS-322 and CS-324 use current-mode control like other switching regulators, these hysteretic devices contain no internal oscillator and do not operate in a constant frequency mode. The CS-322 and CS-324 employ a current-sense amplifier that monitors inductor current through a sense resistor and sends a signal to two comparators, one of which senses peak current and the other valley current. Each of the controllers delivers an output voltage of 18V at 200 mA and up to 1A of peak current. The CS-322 has typical start-and-stop threshold values of 14.5 and 10.5V, respectively. The CS-324’s values are 9.0 and 7.8V, respectively. Prices start at $1.97 (1000). Cherry Semiconductor Corp, East Greenwich, RI. (401) 885-3600.

Highly integrated CD-ROM chip boasts 8× speed capability. The SAA7385 CD-ROM interface device combines block decoding, SCSI-2 and 33-MHz 80C32 controllers, buffer manager, audio functions, and up to 8× speed capability on one chip. CD-ROM interface functions include third-layer error correction and subcode handling. The SAA7385 costs $18 (10,000). Philips Semiconductors, Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 991-2000.

DSP-based chip set controls synchronous motors. A family of motion-control chip sets mates an ADMC20x motion-control coprocessor with an ADSP21xx DSP for digital control of ac induction and permanent-magnet synchronous motors. The 16-bit fixed-point DSP executes control algorithms, while the coprocessor, with an 11-bit sampling ADC, performs signal interfacing, conditioning, and conversion. Devices in the ADMC21xx-series chip sets operate from a 5V supply over a temperature range of -40 to 85°C. Prices start at $25.93 (10,000). Analog Devices Inc, Wilmington, MA. (617) 937-1428.