EDN — 06.20.96 Integrated Circuits

Integrated Circuits: June 20, 1996

Logic device offers 10,000 gates.

Part of the FLEX 10K family, the EPF10K10 PLD provides 10,000 gates in an embedded-array architecture. You can use the embedded-array blocks in the EPF-10K10 to implement as many as 6144 bits of on-chip RAM or a myriad of complex-logic functions, including multipliers and state machines. Logic-array blocks are groups of eight enhanced-logic elements. The EPF-10K10 has 576 logic elements grouped into 72 logic-array blocks. Housed in a 208-pin PQFP, the device costs $65 (100). Altera Corp, San Jose, CA. (408) 894-7000.

Step-up regulator reaches as low as 3.0V.

Able to function without external switches, the UC2577 step-up voltage regulator needs only passive components and a diode for operation. The device operates to as low as 3.0V, an advantage for battery-powered or low-input-voltage applications, and extends to as high as 40V. Thermal-protection circuitry and current limiting safeguard an on-chip 3.0A npn output switch. The UC2577 comes in three output-voltage configurations: fixed 12 or 15V and adjustable. Packaging options include five-pin TO-220 T and TO-263 TD versions. Prices start at $3.40 (1000). Unitrode Corp, Merrimack, NH. (603) 424-2410.

Three-chip set simplifies set-top box design.

The Integra Set Top Development Platform (SDP) allows concurrent hardware and software development based on open standards, such as Digital Audio-Video Interactive Counsel (DAVIC), DVB (Pan-European standard for digital video broadcast), JSAT (Japanese standard for digital video broadcast), MPEG, and MIPS, and includes a set of three digital-logic chips that performs all the main functions required for a set-top box. Based on the vendor's MiniRISC processor, Integra's scalable architecture lets you program the same set-top box to meet different service providers' specifications. The Integra 1000 chip set costs $70 to $75 in high volume. The Integra SDP hardware costs $29,000. LSI Logic Corp, Milpitas, CA. (408) 433-8000.

ADCs offer choice of resolution, sampling speed.

The ADS800 family of monolithic ADCs offers 10- and 12-bit resolution and sampling rates between 10 and 40 MHz. Fabricated in 0.6-痠 CMOS, the converters include a quantizer, a wideband track-and-hold circuit, an internal reference, and three-state outputs. The devices operate from a single 5V supply and accept either differential or single-ended input signals. The converters are housed in 28-pin SOIC packages and range in price from $7.45 to $35 (1000). Burr-Brown Corp, Tucson, AZ. (520) 746-1111.

I/O chips are Fast IrDA-compliant.

Three ICs offer an IR interface that is fully compatible with the 4-Mbps IrDA 1.1 Fast IR extension standard for wireless communications. Intended for portable applications, the FDC37C957FR provides an 8051-compatible keyboard and system controller, four PS/2 ports, 42 I/O pins, two PWMs, and an ISA-bus interface in a 208-pin TQFP. The FDC37C93xFR supplies motherboard I/O functions, along with a real-time clock and keyboard controller. The last device, the FDC37C669FR, provides the same IR data-transfer capabilities as the 957FR and 93xFR, minus the clock and keyboard controller. Respective prices for the 957FR, 93xFR, and 669FR are <$19, <$14, and <$9 in volume. Standard Microsystems Corp , Hauppauge, NY. (516) 273-3100.

Disk controller works with NOR flash memory.

Using extensive on-chip hardware to automate data transfer, the 36C3951 controller IC for NOR flash memories minimizes microprocessor supervision and power consumption. The flash-disk controller accepts 8-, 16-, and 32-Mbit flash memories for a total unformatted drive capacity of up to 40 Mbytes. Optimized for Intel's FlashFile memory, the 36C3951 is compatible with PCMCIA ATA and standard bootable ATA/IDE host interfaces. The controller costs <$30 in low quantities. Silicon Systems, Tustin, CA. (714) 573-6200.

Quad ICs permit high-density T1/E1 designs.

The PM4314 QDSX quad T1/E1 line-interface unit and the PM6344 EQUAD quad E1 framer let you design high-density interface solutions for both public and private network equipment and reduce the size and cost per channel of multiple-channel circuit cards. The QDSX is a G.703 E1 and DSX-1 IC that integrates four E1/DSX-1 line-interface circuits. Packing four E1 framers on a single chip, the EQUAD frames to four G.704 2048-kbps signals and performs HDB3 or AMI line coding. Both of the devices are housed in 128-pin PQFPs. The PM4314 QDSX and PM6344 EQUAD cost $32 and $59, respectively, in volume. PMC-Sierra Inc, Burnaby, BC, Canada. (604) 668-7300.