EDN -- 03.28.96 Integrated Circuits

Integrated Circuits: March 28, 1996

10W notch filters are digitally tuned. With an RF power-handling capability of 10W, digitally tuned notch filters operate from 1.5 to 700 MHz in seven standard operating bands. The Notch series devices contain all the digital interface and PIN-diode circuitry needed for tuning an 8-bit parallel CMOS/TTL digital control input at rates from 100 to 2000 discrete frequencies/sec. Filters come with notch depths of 10, 15, and 20 dB with the 3-dB bandwidth minimized for the specified notch depth. Packaging options include board-mount and SMA connectorized versions. Prices range from $700 to $1800. Pole/Zero Corp, West Chester, OH. (513) 870-9060.

Limiting amp moves 622 Mbps. Intended for optical receiver chains, the ALA6200SC wideband limiting amplifier converts a data input voltage ranging in amplitude from 30 to 1000 mV into a constant output voltage of 500 mV. The GaAs device, which you can use to replace a three-stage discrete amplifier, operates at 50 to 622 Mbps and is compatible with synchronous-optical-network OC-12 and European synchronous-digital-hierarchy STM-4 standards. The amplifier requires a 5V supply and has a 25-dB small-signal gain. It costs $20 (1000). Anadigics, Warren, NJ. (908) 668-5000.

RS-232C transceiver cuts supply-current requirements. Consisting of one driver and one receiver, the MAX3221 RS-232C transceiver reduces supply current to 1 µA using its automatic-shutdown feature. When the device does not sense a valid signal level on its receiver inputs, the power supply and driver shut down; the device turns on when a valid level is applied to any RS-232C receiver input. In addition, a proprietary dual charge-pump power supply and a patented low-dropout transmitter combine to deliver RS-232C performance from 3 to 5.5V supplies. Housed in a 16-pin SSOP, the MAX 3221 costs $1.25 in commercial versions (1000). Maxim Integrated Products, Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 737-7600, ext 6087.

Sensor-actuator IC allows distributed control from PC. The DS2407 addressable switch is a sensor-actuator chip that enables closed-loop monitoring and control from a central PC. From the serial port of the PC, a twisted-pair wire can be routed up to 300m to multiple DS2407s. One signal plus ground provide the digital communications link, as well as the power for the sensor actuators. The two voltage sensors and two output transistors in the DS2407 can be dynamically configured for operation as one sensor and one switch, two switches, or two sensors. The dual-channel DS2407 comes in a six-pin TSOC surface-mount package and costs $1.96 (5000). Dallas Semiconductor, Dallas, TX. (214) 450-0448.

µP supervisor sits in tiny eight-pin package. Requiring 75% less board space than comparable 16-pin devices, the MAX818L and MAX818M squeeze standard µP-supervisory functions into an eight-pin µMAX surface-mount package. These functions include active-low reset, backup-battery power switching, watchdog timer with 1.6-sec time-out, and chip-enable gating. In addition to the µMAX package, the 5V ICs come in eight-pin DIP and SO configurations. Prices start at $2.74 (1000). Maxim Integrated Products, Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 737-7600, ext 6087.

FPGA modules form PCI bus interface. LogiCore fully verified drop-in modules for Xilinx FPGAs are PCI-compliant and operate at 33 MHz. The modules, which include burst synchronous FIFOs, accommodate additional logic for implementing customized back-end functions. Initial PCI target interface modules are offered in Viewlogic schematics for an introductory price of $1995 until April 30. List price is $4995. Xilinx Inc, San Jose, CA. (408) 559-7778.

Flash memories pass MIL screen. Housed in ceramic JEDEC packages for either surface or through-hole mounting, two flash-memory devices are manufactured according to MIL-PRF-38534 guidelines, are qualified to ISO 9000 specifications, and are pending SMD qualification. The 1-Mbit WMF128-K8-XCX5 comes in versions with access times of 60 to 150 nsec; the 4-Mbit WMF-512K8-XCX5 offers 70- to 150-nsec access times. The 5V devices withstand severe environments and operate over a temperature range of -55 to +125°C. Prices start at $175 (100) for the 1-Mbit and at $270 (100) for the 4-Mbit parts. White Microelectronics, Phoenix, AZ. (602) 437-1520.

64-Mbit DRAMs upgrade older systems. Two 64-Mbit, 5V DRAMs, the KM48C8000A (8M×8-bit) and KM44C16100A (16M×4-bit), increase the memory capacity of installed base workstations and servers that cannot use the latest 3V memory devices. The memories provide 50-, 60-, and 70-nsec access times and operate in fast page mode. Packaging options include plastic SOJ and TSOP II configurations, both with standard JEDEC pinouts. Devices cost $449 (1000). Samsung Semiconductor Inc, San Jose, CA. (408) 954-7000.

SRAM and flash modules in 68-pin PLCCs. Organized as 128k×32 bits, the 4-Mbit EDI8F32128C-BAC fits four 128k×8-bit static TSOP SRAMs into a 68-pin PLCC. The memory device comes in versions with 55-, 70-, and 85-nsec access times and offers a low-power option that provides battery-backup capability for retaining data at 2 and 3V. Flash modules, the 4-Mbit EDI7F32-128C-BAC and 8-Mbit EDI7F32256C-BAC, also come in 68-pin PLCCs and are based on flash TSOPs. The 5V flash modules are available with access times of 70, 90, 120, and 150 nsec. The 85-nsec EDI8F32128C costs $87 (100), the 150-nsec EDI7F32128C costs $79 (100), and the 150-nsec EDI-7F32256C costs $131 (100). Electronic Designs Inc, Westborough, MA. (508) 366-5151.

FIFO devices offer bidirectional wordwide operation. Three ×36-bit FIFO memory devices perform two-way buffering of wide-word data, as well as funnel and defunnel data between buses of different widths running at different speeds. The LH543601, LH543611, and LH543621 have 256-, 512-, and 1024-word depths, respectively, and come in low-profile TQFPs that require 38% less board space than PQFPs. The LH543601 is also offered in a 132-pin PQFP to maintain compatibility with its predecessor, the LH5420. Each of the devices contains two ×36 FIFO buffers and runs at speeds to 50 MHz. Prices for the LH543601 range from $39 to $53, depending on package and speed (1000). Sharp Electronics Corp, Camas, WA. (800) 642-0261.

SDRAM forms two on-chip memory banks. Designed to increase PC performance, the TMS626162 16-Mbit synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) consists of two 512k×16-bit-wide memory banks. The device's pipeline architecture enables a new column address entry on every cycle of the system's clock. Unlike asynchronous DRAMs, the TMS626162 uses the timing of the system's clock to simplify design and enhance performance. The 3.3V SDRAM operates at a 66-MHz clock speed and provides a burst-mode access rate that is 4× faster than that of standard page-mode DRAMs. Packaging options include 50-pin TSSOP and 168-pin dual-in-line-memory-module versions. Suggested resale price is $65 (>100). Texas Instruments Inc, Denver, CO. (800) 477-8924, ext 4500.

Prices cut up to 45% for 16,000- and 12,000-gate arrays. Altera is reducing prices for its highest density Flex 8000 devices, the EPF81500A and the EPF81188A, with 16,000 and 12,000 gates, respectively. The reduced prices apply to a variety of packaging options and speed and are the result of process improvement and manufacturing efficiencies. The EPF81188AQC208-4 and RC240-4 cost $89 and $99 (100), respectively. The EPF81500ARC240-4 and RC304-4 cost $139 and $159 (100), respectively. Altera Corp, San Jose, CA. (408) 894-7000.

E₂PRML IC decodes data at 100 Mbps. The use of an on-chip analog look-ahead detector to decode a (1,7) data stream enables the 32P4802 E₂PRML read channel device to achieve a data rate of 100 Mbps. Suitable for thin-film and MIG recording heads, the 32-P4802 operates at a rated clock speed of 150 MHz and is fabricated with a mixed-signal 0.8-µm BiCMOS process. The device, housed in a 100-lead TQFP, costs $14 (1000). Silicon Systems, Tustin, CA. (714) 573-6200.

16-Mbit SRAM squeezes into tiny 68-lead package. A four-chip, 512k×32-bit SRAM module comes in a 68-lead gull-wing package that fits the JEDEC standard 0.990-in.² footprint. This measurement is a 30 to 40% improvement in density over four equivalent SOJ monolithics. The WPS512K-32-XP2X consists of four 512k×8-bit memory blocks that allow independent 512k×32-, 1M×16-, or 2M×8-bit addressing. Versions are available with access times of <20 nsec. The device operates from a 5V supply with a 640-mA max power requirement in ×32 mode and 120 mA in standby mode. Prices start at <$1000 (100). White Microelectronics, Phoenix, AZ. (602) 437-1520.

DC/DC converter powers Pentium Pro processor. The LXM1600 series of dc/dc converters meets Intel's voltage-regulator-module specification for the Pentium Pro family, including future generations with varied operational voltages. Using a 4-bit control word, you can program the output of these 12A modules from 2 to 3.5V. Output tolerance is maintained to within ±5%, including line and load regulation, temperature stability, initial accuracy, load transient, and ripple. The company offers versions for desktop PCs and servers, requiring 5 and 12V input, respectively. The 5V device costs $28. The 12V version costs $27 (1000). Linfinity Microelectronics Inc, Garden Grove, CA. (714) 898-8121.

16-Mbit mask ROM boasts 40-nsec burst access. The 16-Mbit HN-62W5016 burst-mode mask ROM offers a configurable ×32- or ×16-bit organization, allowing you to use the device in high-end 32-bit µP systems. In burst mode, the device accesses data in 40 nsec with either a four- (×32) or eight-word (×16) burst length. Standard access time is 120 nsec. Operating from a 3.3V supply, the HN62W5016 dissipates 360 mW when active and 720 µW on standby. Packaging options include 70-pin SSOP and 48-pin TSOP configurations. A 120-nsec SSOP version costs $9 (10,000). Hitachi America Ltd, Semiconductor and IC Division, Brisbane, CA. (800) 285-1601, ext 13.

SLICs keep power consumption low. Typically consuming 115 to 185 mW, depending on configuration, the ATTL75XX series of subscriber-line ICs (SLICs) provides distortion-free on-hook transmission covering a wide range of loops. The devices have independently adjustable dc and ac parameters, including overhead voltage for 2.2V metering injection, dc feed resistance, loop-current limiting, and termination impedance. The basic ATTL7551 SLIC costs $6.35 (10,000). Other versions of the device include battery reversal, an on-chip switching regulator, or both, with prices ranging from $6.90 to $8.70 (10,000). AT&T Microelectronics, Allentown, PA. (800) 372-2447