Integrated Circuits: August 1, 1996

SGRAM stores 8 Mbits.

Engineering samples of the 8-Mbit synchronous graphics DRAM (SGRAM) are organized as 256k×32 bits. Designated the MT41LC256- K32D4, the device offers standard JEDEC features, such as eight-column block, write, and write-per-bit modes; programmable burst lengths; and a dual-bank pipelined architecture. In addition, the part meets the high-bandwidth requirements and fast display refresh of 3-D graphics applications. The SGRAM cycles at 66 MHz. Versions with 83- and 100-MHz cycle times will debut in the third quarter. Samples cost $30. Micron Technology Inc, Boise, ID. (208) 368-4000.

QAM/FEC receiver chip targets DVB-C set tops, modems.

Compliant with the Digital Video Broadcasting-Cable (DVB-C) standard, the VES1514 receiver combines quadrature AM (QAM) demodulation, forward error correction, adaptive equalization, and descrambling functions on a single chip. The receiver, which operates in set-top boxes and cable modems based on DVB-C, connects directly to a 9-bit A/D converter. It operates as fast as 30 MHz and at modulation rates as high as 7 Mbps. The 3.3V device comes in a 68-lead PLCC and costs $30 (10,000). VLSI Technology Inc, San Jose, CA. (408) 434-3000.

IC supplies dual mixed-signal ATM PHY channels.

The PM7348 S/UNI-155-dual, a physical-layer (PHY) device for asynchronous-transfer-mode (ATM) switches, provides two independent ATM PHY channels operating at 155 or 51 Mbps. It comes in a 160-pin PQFP and combines on-chip clock recovery/synthesizers and differential PMD drivers with digital synchronous-optical-network/synchronous-digital-hierarchy framers, ATM cell processors with four-cell FIFO devices, and a 16- or dual 8-bit SCI-PHY/Utopia Level 2 interface. The part costs $64 (10,000). PMC-Sierra Inc, Burnaby, BC, Canada. (604) 668-7300.

Small-outline dual PLLs conserve power, space.

Three miniature dual PLLs for wireless communications consume about 10 mA and come in shrink SO packages (SSO 20). The U2782B's two PLLs have a maximum operating frequency of 1.1 GHz and integrated 64/65 prescalers. The U2783B has one PLL for frequencies as high as 1.25 GHz and another for as high as 400 MHz with integrated prescaler factors of 64/65 and 32/33, respectively. At the highest frequency range is the U2784B, with one 2.2-GHz PLL and one 200-MHz PLL and prescaler factors of 64/65 and 8/9, respectively. The U2782B, U2783B, and U2784B cost $2.80, $2.70, and $2.90, respectively (100,000). Temic, Santa Clara, CA. (408) 567-8220.

IBM second-sources 12- and 15-nsec EDRAMs.

IBM's enhanced-DRAM (EDRAM) devices increase the vendor's production of 12- and 15-nsec EDRAM components. The IBM-built 5 and 3.3V parts store 4 Mbits and come in a variety of packaging options, in-cluding a low-profile 300-mil TSOP. Other options include extended-data-out configurations and a multibank cache. Enhanced Memory Systems Inc, Colorado Springs, CO. (800) 545-3726.

IC provides Level 4 IEC 1000 ESD protection.

The SP723 is an ESD- and overvoltage-protection array consisting of 24 transistors in an SCR configuration. The SP723 replaces 12 discrete diodes to protect as many as six lines from 15-kV discharges. The device offers full suppression to Level 4 of the IEC 1000 standard. Switching in <6 nsec, the SP723 handles 7A of peak current and a single 100-msec peak transient pulse of ±4A. Packaging options include plastic DIPs and SOICs. The part costs $1.10 (1000). Harris Semiconductor, Melbourne, FL. (800) 442-7747, ext 7428.

16-Mbit flash memory takes 3V supply.

Organized as 2048k×8 or 1024k×16 bits, the LH28F016 NOR flash device performs both read and write operations using a single 2.7 to 3.3V supply. The 16-Mbit device incorporates two 256-kbyte page buffers to speed write operations, as well as 32 64-kbyte blocks that can be independently locked. Maximum access time is 120 nsec for a 3V read operation. Standby current is 100 µA. The LH28F016 comes in a 56-lead TSOP. Sample price is $55. Sharp Electronics Corp, Camas, WA. (800) 642-0261.

Transceiver IC handles DTR switching.

Intended for the dedicated-token-ring (DTR) market, the PI2C3020 physical-layer interface IC acts as a hub port or station and addresses the needs of active retiming-repeater hubs and network-interface cards. The transceiver in-cludes adaptive equalization, digital PLLs, and line-driver functions. It also controls the operating modes for DTR switching. The PI2C3020 comes in a 48-pin SSOP and costs $9.95 (5000). Pericom Semiconductor Corp, San Jose, CA. (800) 435-2336.

SAR device employs RISC controller.

The SARA-II is a segmentation-and-reassembly (SAR) IC for asynchronous-transfer-mode (ATM) switching hubs and routers. It also ties video distribution systems and public-network-access switches to an ATM network. Based on a programmable RISC controller, the SARA-II implements ATM adaptation layers ¾ and 5, including available-bit-rate control. The device operates at 155 Mbps in both directions, connecting with other components by a Utopia interface. An on-chip serial/parallel interface provides UNI 3.1 SONET/SDH framing. The device comes in a BGA package and costs $100 (10,000). TranSwitch Corp, Shelton, CT. (203) 929-8810.

Triple-video DAC guarantees monotonicity.

The monolithic SPT5230, a 10-bit, triple-D/A converter for high-resolution color graphics monitors, desktop video processing, and digital-TV applications, delivers a conversion rate of 50 million wps. The device also provides channel-to-channel crosstalk isolation of -49 dB and ±1 LSB differential linearity for guaranteed monotonicity. Power dissipation is 280 mW. The SPT5230 operates from a single 5V supply and comes in a 52-pin SQFP. It costs $23.80 (1000). Signal Processing Technologies Inc, Colorado Springs, CO. (719) 528-2300.

Two-chip set for PDAs comes with software fax/modem.

Two ICs, the PR31100 and UCB1100, perform virtually all of the functions needed for a personal digital assistant or personal intelligent communicator. The PR31100, which is based on a MIPS R3000 RISC core, executes the routines of the V.32bis software fax/modem (licensed by the vendor), voice recognition of approximately 100 words, echo cancellation, and handwriting recognition. Working with the 14-bit telecomm codec in the UCB1100, the software fax/modem eliminates the need for an external modem chip set. The two-chip set, including the software fax/modem, costs $3 (100,000). Philips Semiconductors, Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 991-2000.

IC handles ATM-layer functions at the switch.

An asynchronous-transfer-mode (ATM) layer device integrates traffic policing, fault management, and performance monitoring into a single IC for ATM-switch ingress applications. The PM7322 RCMP-800 drives a 50-MHz, 16-bit Utopia Level 2 interface to achieve a maximum throughput of 800 Mbps. The PM7323 RCMP-200, a reduced-cost component, drives a 25-MHz 8-bit Utopia interface at 200 Mbps. Each device provides a glueless interface to PMC-Sierra's S/UNI physical-layer devices, from T1/E1 to 622 Mbps. The RCMP-800 costs $199 (5000); the RCMP-200 sells for $99 (10,000). PMC-Sierra Inc, Burnaby, BC, Canada. (604) 668-7300.

Charge-pump IC serves as inverting voltage doubler.

Differing from older charge-pump topologies, the TC682 CMOS charge-pump converter both inverts and doubles its supply voltage. The converter delivers -10V from a 5V logic supply or -6V from a 3V battery supply. Supply current is typically <200 µA at a clock frequency of 10 kHz. Maximum output current is -10 mA. The device's voltage-conversion efficiency is typically >90%. Operation re-quires only three external capacitors. PDIP and SOIC prices start at $1.48 and $1.51, respectively (1000). Telcom Semiconductor Inc, Mountain View, CA. (415) 968-9241.

Cordless-phone IC cuts interference.

Designed for cordless telephones operating within a frequency band of 43 to 49 MHz, the KB8527A monolithic chip combines an RF amplifier/ receiver, compander, and universal PLL to prevent surrounding frequency interference. The IC covers the 25 channels allocated by the FCC for cordless-phone use and has an operating-voltage range of 2 to 5.5V. With a supply current of 13.2 mA at 3.6V, the KB8527A consumes little power and prolongs battery life. The part comes in a 48-pin PQFP and costs $1.80 (100,000). Samsung Semiconductor Inc, San Jose, CA. (408) 954-7000.

Vocoder chip executes 13-kbit CELP coding algorithm.

The Q4413 single-chip vocoder is based on PureVoice, the latest version of Qualcomm's Code Excited Linear Predictive (QCELP-13) speech-coding algorithm. In variable-rate mode, the part continuously chooses among four coding rates frame-by-frame to guarantee the best voice quality at the lowest data rate. Speech pauses are encoded at 1000 bps and voice is encoded at 13.3, 6.2, or 2.7 kbps. In fixed-rate mode, the vocoder operates at data rates of 13.3 or 6.2 kbps. The Q4413 costs $69 (100). Qualcomm Inc, San Diego, CA. (619) 587-1121.

EEPROM peripherals present seamless µC interface.

Two microcontroller peripherals with 32k×8 bits of on-chip EEPROM interface directly with either Motorola 68HC11 or Intel 8051 microcontrollers and their derivatives without glue logic. Both devices let you expand application firmware outside the microcontroller itself. The X68257 for the Motorola architecture and the X88257 for the Intel configuration incorporate all the circuitry to decode the control signals and demultiplex the ad-dress/data bus. Packaging options include SOIC, PL-CC, and PDIP. The price for either device in PDIP and SOIC versions is $9.25 (10,000). Xicor Inc, Milpitas, CA. (408) 432-8888.

Controller handles 200-Mbps read-channel devices.

The 32C9210, a headerless interface controller, works with ATA-3 disk drives having read channels operating as fast as 200 Mbps. In addition to hardware-based headerless formatting, the 32C9210 provides five-burst Reed-Solomon ECC, both of which maximize drive capacity. You can program the ECC function to correct as many as 120-bit bursts in real time and for three-burst, 144-bit error correction. The controller comes in QFP and TQFP versions and costs $17 (1000). Silicon Systems, Tustin, CA. (714) 573-6200.

CPLD invites in-system programming.

The first device in the MAX 7000S family of complex PLDs (CPLDs), the EPM7128S features in-system programmability (ISP) using an industry-standard four-pin JTAG interface and the serial vector format (SVF). The part keeps propagation delays as low as 7.5 nsec and offers open-collector output op-tions. With the addition of the EPM7128S, the MAX series with ISP ranges from 128 to 560 macrocells or 2500 to 12,000 usable gates. The EPM7128S comes in a 100-pin PQFP and in 7.5-, 10-, and 15-nsec versions. Respective prices are $72.95, $49.95, and $32.95 (100). Altera Corp, San Jose, CA. (408) 894-7000.

Voltage-feedback op amp takes single supply.

The CLC427 dual-voltage-feedback op amp produces a 4.3V output swing on a single 5V rail and has a common-mode input range that includes the negative rail. For single-supply applications, such as video distribution and desktop multimedia, the CLC427 keeps differential gain and phase errors to 0.35% and 0.55°, respectively. The op amp has a 48-MHz gain-of-two bandwidth, 7.5-nsec rise and fall times, and 150V/msec slew rate. The CLC427 comes in an eight-pin DIP or SOIC and costs $2.24 (1000). Comlinear Corp, Fort Collins, CO. (800) 272-9959.

IC offers PCI 2.1 compliance for master adapters.

The PCI9060ES implements a single-chip interface that complies with PCI bus specification V2.1 for building master and slave adapters that can handle high-performance I/O operations. The chip sustains data transfers of as many as 132 Mbytes/sec. Two bidirectional FIFOs are included, as are four 32-bit mailboxes and two 8-bit doorbell registers for multiprocessing and multitasking. The processor-independent PCI9060ES uses byte-lane logic to match the big- or little-endian style of the host processor or DSP. Design-ins are offered for PowerPC, i960, and SHARC processors. Prices start at $25 (20,000). PLX Technology Inc, Mountain View, CA. (415) 960-0448.

Peripheral ICs join 68HC05 microcontroller line.

A crystal oscillator and a serial-peripheral-interface-equipped counter offer low power consumption and power-down features that make them attractive for battery-powered applications based on the 8-bit 68HC05 microcontroller. You can program the CDP68HC68T3 counter in 1-sec increments to a 72-hour max. To save energy, the counter powers down upon reaching zero. In active mode, the counter draws only 50 µA max. The CDP6872 oscillator operates from 10 kHz to 10 MHz and provides a disable mode that switches the output to a high-impedance state to cut supply current to a minimum. The CDP68H-C68T3 costs $1.60; the CDP6872 sells for $1.70 (1000). Harris Semiconductor, Melbourne, FL. (800) 442-7747, ext 7428.

IC controls bias of Class-AB power amplifiers.

The LT1166, a bias-generating system on a chip, gives direct control over the quiescent current of Class-AB power amplifiers and MOSFETs. Instead of depending on tracking temperature, matching components, and adjusting potentiometers, the device uses current- and voltage-control loops to establish bias points. The LT1166 removes excess crossover distortion caused by improperly set quiescent current and reduces the distortion caused by nonlinear transconductance in the output transistors. Housed in an eight-pin DIP or SO-8, the LT1166 costs $2.35 (1000). Linear Technology Corp, Milpitas, CA. (408) 432-1900.

Logic device furnishes 100,000 usable gates.

Based on the FLEX 10K embedded-array architecture, the EPF10K100 PLD reaches a density of 100,000 usable gates and operates at system clock speeds as high as 70 MHz. Each embedded-array block (EAB) can form as much as 2 kbits of RAM or ROM configured in different widths and depths. In all, the 12 EABs in the EPF-10K100 yield as much as 24,576 bits of on-chip memory. The device comes in a 503-pin pin-grid array and costs $995 (100). Altera Corp, San Jose, CA. (408) 894-7000.

Quad relay driver shuns secondary regulation.

Driving as many as four relays from a common bus, the UC3702's PWM-control circuitry does not require the use of secondary regulation for the relay-bus voltage. The device safely drives 9, 12, and 24V relays from a higher bus voltage. Global reset allows for fast resolution of fault conditions, and a supply range of as much as 42.5V increases the driver's flexibility. Packaging options include 16-pin DIPs and SOICs. The UC3702 costs $1.55 (1000). Unitrode Corp, Merrimack, NH. (603) 424-2410.

Voltage regulators minimize dropout.

With current capabilities from 3 to 6A, the 14-member CS-520X family of linear voltage regulators offers tightly regulated 1% outputs, low dropout voltages, and either fixed- or adjustable-output voltages. The series gives you a choice of 1.5, 3.3, and 5V fixed outputs. Devices with an ad-justable output let you set the voltage between 1.25 and 18V, depending on the input voltage. Typical dropout voltages include 1.05V at 3A, 1.10V at 4A, 1.20V at 5A, and 1.30V at 6A. In TO-220 packages, the regulators range in price from $3.50 to $5.70 (1000). Cherry Semiconductor Corp, East Greenwich, RI. (401) 885-3600.

Fast cache SRAMs are Pentium-compatible.

Four pipelined SRAM modules serve as L2 cache in desktop systems using Pentium microprocessors in conjunction with Intel's Triton II chip set. The 256-kbyte MCM64PC32 and MCM64PD32 consist of two 3.3V 32k×32-bit burst RAMs and one 3.3V tag RAM. The 512-kbyte MCM64PC64 and MCM64PD64 use four 32k×32-bit SRAMs and one tag RAM each. The MCM64PC32 and MCM64PC64 come with an 8-bit tag RAM, and the MCM64PD32 and MCM64PD64 have an 11-bit tag RAM. Access times are 8 nsec for data RAM and 15 nsec for tag RAM. All four devices come in versions for 66- or 75-MHz clock rates. Prices start at $19.95 (10,000). Motorola Microprocessor and Memory Technologies Group, Austin, TX. (512) 993-7726.

Speedy 12-bit ADC comes in SO-8 package.

With a sampling rate of 400k samples/sec, the LTC1400 is one of the fastest 12-bit A/D converters in an SO-8 package. The device also consumes little power, dissipating just 75 mW from a 5V source or from ±5V supplies. Two power-saving modes further reduce power consumption. In its nap mode, the converter consumes 6 mW and instantly starts converting on power-up. In sleep mode, the device typically consumes 30 µW. The LTC1400 converts 0 to 4.096V unipolar inputs from a single 5V supply and ±2.048V bipolar inputs from ±5V supplies. The part costs $10 (1000). Linear Technology Corp, Milpitas, CA. (408) 432-1900.

Reference IC keeps 0.5% tolerance.

A direct replacement for the industry-standard TL431, the CL431 temperature-compensated shunt reference offers improved characteristics, including a near-zero TC and trimmed 0.5% tolerance. The device operates over an extended temperature range of 0 to 105°C and is temperature-compensated to 30 ppm/°C. Maximum off-state leakage is guaranteed to be <250 nA. Packaging options for the CL431 include TO-92, SOT-89, and eight-pin SOIC configurations. Prices range from $0.27 to $0.50 (10,000). Calogic Corp, Fremont, CA. (510) 656-2900.

Down-converter in SSOP fits digital satellite receivers.

The NEC UPC2782GR silicon monolithic microwave IC down-converter works in direct-broadcast-satellite-receiver applications. It combines a Gilbert-cell mixer, two stages of LO buffering,a local oscillator, an external filter port, a high-output variable-gain IF amplifier, and a temperature-compensation circuit in a 20-pin SSOP. Specifications include a frequency range of 900 to 2500 MHz, a 3-dBm input third-order intercept point, and a 25-dB AGC range. The UPC2782GR costs $1.50 (OEM). California Eastern Laboratories, Santa Clara, CA. (408) 988-3500.