Out in Front: August 1, 1996
National Semiconductor designed its new dual, high-speed, bidirectional DS36C200 transceiver for digital-satellite-receiver-to-digital-VHS interfaces. The transceiver consumes 20 mA at 100 Mbps and offers low EMI characteristics and low-voltage differential-signal levels, making it useful in applications such as camcorders, CD players and telecomm buses. The signal-voltage levels make the device compatible with the 100-Mbps IEEE 1394 physical layer, letting you create a stripped-down 1394 node that provides only the functions for specific consumer products.
The current-mode device operates as high as and higher than 100 Mbps by generating a 210-mV differential signal into a transmission line terminated by 110(ohm) at each end. The receiver incorporates ±100-mV sensitivity and fail-safe operation. Maximum static ICC is 17 mA when the transceiver is driving a 55V load. The dynamic power at 100 Mbps is approximately 20 mA and stays flat at higher frequencies.
The DS36C200 is available in a 14-pin SOIC package and costs $3.25 (100).
—by Stephen Kempainen
National Semiconductor Interface Group, Santa Clara, CA. (408) 721-4673.