Integrated Circuits: February 15, 1996
Switch-mode IC suits low-power universal supplies. The TOP210, a switch-mode power supply IC, covers output-power levels from 0 to 8W at 100, 110, and 230V-ac input, and 0 to 5W at a universal 85 to 265V-ac input. Intended for low-power, off-line applications, the TOP210 combines a PWM controller, a 700V power MOSFET, a high-voltage start-up bias circuit, and a number of circuit-protection features on a single chip. Housed in an eight-pin plastic DIP, the device costs $1.05 (10,000). Power Integrations Inc, Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 523-9200.
EDO DRAM modules run in hyper-page mode. Offered in 4-, 8-, and 16-Mbyte single in-line memory-module and 8-, 16-, and 32-Mbyte dual in-line memory-module configurations, Mitsubishi’s extended-data-out (EDO) DRAMs provide hyper-page-mode cycle times of 25 and 20 nsec at access speeds of 60 and 50 nsec, respectively. Power consumption is 540 mW with a maximum standby battery-backup current of 500 µA for the 16-Mbyte modules and 650 mW with a maximum standby current of 150 µA; for the 4-Mbyte modules. Mitsubishi Electronics America Inc, Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 730-5900.
DC/DC converter provides three outputs for notebooks. With a conversion efficiency of >90%, the ML4880 dc/dc converter simultaneously produces three output voltages, each accurate to within ±3%. The device converts battery voltages into the 3.3, 5, and 12V outputs needed to power ICs in portable notebooks. The 3.3 and 5V outputs supply up to 2A, and the 12V output drives 150 mA. The device works with battery packs ranging from 5.5 to 18V. It comes in a 24-pin SOIC and costs $3.07 (1000). Micro Linear Corp, San Jose, CA. (408) 433-5200.
SMPS start-up IC has high input-voltage range. The LR7, a device that powers a PWM switch-mode power supply (SMPS) IC during start-up only, operates from an input voltage of 25 to 450V dc. The LR7 provides a maximum output current of 4 mA to charge a storage capacitor used to power the PWM SMPS IC. Output voltage during start-up varies from 13.25 to 22V, depending on the start threshold of the PWM IC. Packaging options include TO-92 and SOT-89 versions, priced at $0.44 and $0.51 (1000), respectively. Supertex Inc, Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 744-0100.
PCI-bridge ICs handle video and audio transfers. The SAA7145 and SAA7146 let you build video- and audio-capture systems with interfaces for MPEG and videoconferencing hardware. The SAA7145 is aimed at low-cost video and audio capture, and the SAA7146 provides multiple asynchronous channels for capture and playback and for higher performance scaler functions. Both devices handle symmetrical, bidirectional transfers in burst mode and interface to any D1 style (CCIR-656) or YUV16 video source. The SAA7145 costs $21.39 (10,000). Philips Semiconductors, Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 991-2000.
1-kbit serial EEPROM eyes plug-and-play monitors. Organized as 128×8 bits, the ST24LC21 serial EEPROM is compatible with the VESA Data Display Channel (DDC) standard, communicating-monitor plug-and-play information, in DDC1 (transmit only) and DDC2B (I2C bidirectional) modes. The device enables a direct connection between the PC host and the monitor using the standard video cable and 15-pin VGA connector. It operates over a 2.5 to 5.5V supply-voltage range and comes in eight-pin plastic DIP and SO versions. The ST24LC21 costs $1.20 (10,000). SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, Lincoln, MA. (617) 259-0300.
Diode array suppresses voltage transients. The SM16LC unidirectional diode array, a series of low-capacitance silicon-transient suppressors, protects SCSI IC components with up to eight lines. Each array has a peak pulse-power rating of 300W for an 8/20-µsec pulse. Specific voltage types are available from 5 to 15V. SM16LC devices meet IEC 801-2 (1000-4-2) and 801-4 (1000-4-4) transient-immunity requirements. Housed in SO-16 packages, the parts cost $2.31 (5000). Protek Devices, Tempe, AZ. (602) 431-8108.
ICs combine cordless-telephone functions. The MC13109 and MC13110 integrate nearly all of the major functions required for a cordless telephone. Both devices contain a dual-conversion FM receiver, compander, dual-universal-programmable PLL, and supply-voltage monitor. The MC13110 also incorporates a frequency-inversion voice scrambler/descrambler that provides call privacy. The MC13109 has a 5.7-mA drain current running on a supply voltage of 2 to 5.5V; the MC13110 has an 8.3-mA drain current and operates from a supply of 2.7 to 5.5V. The MC13109 costs $2.70 (48-pin TQFP) and the MC13110 costs $4.80 (52-pin QFP) (10,000). Motorola Semiconductor Products Sector, Phoenix, AZ. (602) 244-4556.
Logic chip set supports 5X86 processors. A core-logic chip set for the 133-MHz AMD AM5X86 and the 100/120-MHz Cyrix 5x86 CPU lets you build multimedia home-PC systems with Pentium-class performance. The Finali 486 two-chip set supports the 586 processor’s linear-address mode and provides an IDE, a keyboard controller, a real-time clock, and a direct PCI link. Including the M1487 160-pin PQFP and the M1489 208-pin PQFP, the Finali set costs $13 in volume quantities. Acer Laboratories Inc, Pacific Technology Group, Santa Clara, CA. (408) 764-0644.
IC mates 64-bit graphics engine and 24-bit RAMDAC. Based on unified memory architecture (UMA), the Trio64UV+ integrated graphics and video accelerator eliminates the need for a separate graphics frame buffer. The device, which is optimized for next-generation Pentium-based designs, incorporates an enhanced version of the 64-bit graphics engine and 24-bit 135-MHz true-color RAMDAC on the Trio64V+ chip. Drivers for the Trio64UV+ support Windows 3.1, NT, and 95; OS/2 and 3.0 (Warp); SCO Unix; and AutoDesk’s AutoCAD and Microstation. Housed in a 208-pin PQFP, the accelerator costs $25 (10,000). S3 Inc, Santa Clara, CA. (408) 980-5400.
Rail-to-rail op amps reach 75 MHz. A series of op amps with rail-to-rail input and output operates over a supply range of 2.7 to 24V. The dual LM6132 and quad LM6134 operate at 10 MHz and typically draw 360 µA/channel of supply current. For applications that demand greater bandwidth, the LM6152 and LM6154 run as high as 75 MHz. The dual amplifiers come in eight-pin DIP and SOIC configurations, and the quad parts come in 14-pin versions. Prices range from $1.26 to $3.26 (1000). National Semiconductor Corp, Santa Clara, CA. (800) 272-9959.
Asynchronous FIFO buffer comes in space-saving 300-mil DIP. A high-density 16k×9-bit asynchronous FIFO buffer in a 28-pin 300-mil plastic DIP reduces board-space requirements by 50% over 600-mil DIPs with no price premium. The IDT7206 offers access times of 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 nsec. Prices for the FIFO device start at $26.15 (5000). Integrated Device Technology Inc, Santa Clara, CA. (800) 345-7015.
Modulator/demodulator draws <7 mA. Operating from a single 3V supply, the MAX2450 quadrature modulator/demodulator and the MAX2451 quadrature demodulator typically draw 5.8 mA in receive mode (2451) or 6.7 mA in transmit/receive mode (2450). Both devices contain an oscillator and divide-by-8 prescaler and maintain carrier and sideband rejection >36 dB. To minimize spurious feedback, the local oscillator is set to twice the IF signal and is tunable up to 160 MHz with external components. The MAX2450 comes in a 20-pin SOIC, and the MAX2451 in a 16-pin narrow SOIC. Prices start at $3.99 and $3.23 (1000), respectively. Maxim Integrated Products, Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 737-7600, ext 6087.
Receiver IC suits wireless communications from 1 cm to 1m. The UCC5340 receiver incorporates a bandpass filter that improves S/N margins for 2.4- to 115-kbps operation over an IrDA range of 1 cm to 1m. A supply current of 90 µA and a low-profile surface-mount package make the UCC5340 suitable for handheld, portable equipment. The receiver’s output drives a 40-pF load at CMOS/TTL levels for direct interfacing with IrDA-compliant UARTs or Super I/O chips. Housed in an eight-pin SOIC, the UCC5340 costs $3.02 (1000). Unitrode Integrated Circuits Corp, Merrimack, NH. (603) 424-2410.
LocalTalk transceiver uses micropower supply. A differential driver and receiver contained in a 16-lead SOIC package, the LTC1324 LocalTalk transceiver requires just 1 mA of supply current, dropping to only 1 µA in shutdown mode. For data rates below 250 kbps, the LTC1324 operates in a low-slew-rate mode, reducing the rise time of the drivers to 400 nsec. The slower rise time reduces EMI and eliminates the need for external filters. Receiver inputs have a common-mode range of +7 to -7V. The LTC1324 costs $3.60 (1000). Linear Technology Corp, Milpitas, CA. (408) 432-1900.
PHY transceiver IC implements 25-Mbps ATM. Part of the SwitchStar family, the IDT77105 is a physical-interface (PHY) transceiver for 25-Mbps asynchronous-transfer-mode (ATM) networks. The device combines both PHY subfunctions--the transmission-convergence and physical media-dependent sublayers--into one 10×10-mm TQFP. The IDT77105 also implements the ATM Utopia local data interface, which makes a seamless connection to switch architectures. The device costs $11.50 (10,000). Integrated Device Technology Inc, Santa Clara, CA. (800) 345-7015.
Spread-spectrum ASICs establish wireless communications. A family of direct-sequence spread-spectrum ICs is intended for use in satellite communications and terrestrial networks. The series includes the programmable mobile communications modem (PMCM), a digital transceiver chip that combines baseband and IF functionality; the advanced spread-spectrum transceiver ASIC; and the direct-sequence integrated receiver with an on-chip 32-bit ARM µP core. A development kit based on the PMCM lets you explore programmable parameter ranges. Prices range from $110 to $270, depending on type and quantity. The development kit costs $4500. IMEC, B3001 Leuven, Belgium. +32 16-281-211.