Integrated Circuits: September 12, 1996

Quad ICs perform physical data-transceiver functions.

Intended for 100BaseTX/FX single-speed multiport repeaters and switches, the LU3X14 provides four channels of full PHY implementation, including Media Independent Interface (MII) support. Each channel implements the Physical Coding Sublayer and Physical Media Attachment of IEEE 802.3u clause 24. A second chip, the LU3X04, affords benefits similar to the LU3X14 for applications that do not require MII. The LU3X14 comes in a 144-pin TQFP and costs $24 (20,000); the LU3X04 is housed in a 120-pin MQFP and costs $20 (20,000). Lucent Technologies, Allentown, PA. (800) 372-2447.

Current-limit IC protects hot-swappable cards.

The Si9750CY surface-mount IC protects central-office line cards, file-server cards, and base-station cards from current overload and short circuits. The device achieves this protection by limiting the source and load inrush currents during hot insertion. The device prevents current from passing into the card until the current has reached a preset level. Paired with a low-on-resistance power MOSFET, the Si9750CY limits overvoltages during load removal and limits power dissipation in case of overcurrent or short-circuit conditions. Supplied in a 16-pin SOIC configuration, the part costs $2.25 (100,000). Siliconix, Santa Clara, CA. (800) 554-5565, ext 82.

EEPROMs store up to 4 kbits.

Two 5V serial EEPROMs, both of which are offered in industrial and commercial temperature versions, target communications and consumer products, such as modems and remote controls. The 2-kbit IS24C02 and 4-kbit IS24C04 use a two-wire serial interface and offer hardware write-protection and page-write modes. The devices operate at a clock speed of 100 kHz and have an endur-ance rating of 100,000 cycles/byte. The devices are supplied in eight-pin plastic DIP and SOIC configurations. The IS24C02 costs $0.49 (1000), and the IS24C04 costs $0.58 (1000). Integrated Silicon Solution Inc, Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 733-4774.

12-bit DACs swing rail to rail.

The LTC1450 and LTC1450L 12-bit DACs are capable of swinging to within a few millivolts of either supply rail. Both devices incorporate an output buffer amplifier, a reference, and a double-buffered parallel digital interface in a 24-pin SSOP. The converters also boast low power consumption: The LTC1450 dissipates 2 mW from a single 5V supply, and the LTC1450L dissipates 750 µW from a single 3V supply. The SSOP versions of the LTC1450 and 1450L cost $5.65 (1000) and $6 (1000), respectively; DIP prices are $5.35 and $5.70, respectively (1000). Linear Technology Corp, Milpitas, CA. (408) 432-1900.

FPGAs cost less, run faster.

The vendor has lowered the prices of its XC5200 family of FPGAs, reducing the cost of a single device by as much as 53%. In addition, migration from a 0.6 to 0.5µ triple-layer-metal CMOS process has produced faster speed grades for all XC5200 devices. The vendor has also added low-voltage and -power versions to the XC5200 line. The high-volume price cuts are in effect until year's end and will be reduced for the Q2 of 1997, resulting in total reductions ranging from 47 to 53%. The XC5202 and XC5204 84-pin PLCC packages are $11 (100) and $20 (100), respectively. Xilinx Inc, San Jose, CA. (408) 559-7778.

Transceiver puts voice, data, fax on single wire.

The Bt8960 lets you combine as many as six voice, data, and fax channels on a single standard twisted-pair, copper telephone wire. It supports data rates as high as 416 kbps, faster than needed for Internet-access modems. The 100-pin PQFP device sells for $20 (50,000). Brooktree Corp, San Diego, CA. (800) 228-2777.

3V supply powers DTMF receiver.

A low-power version of the M-8870 DTMF receiver, the M-88L70-01 provides similar functionality but operates at 3V for minimum power consumption—<18 mW maximum in operation. The device also offers power down and inhibit modes to further decrease power consumption. The M-88L70-01 comes in 18-pin plastic DIPs and 16-pin SOIC packages. DIP versions cost $2.11 (10,000). Teltone Corp, Bothell, WA. (206) 487-1515.

Video codec handles wavelet compression.

The ADV601 video codec IC implements wavelet-based compression, performing from visually lossless to 350-to-1 real-time compression and decompression of broadcast-resolution digital video (CCIR-601). Compressed images are stored on hard-disk drives using capture hardware. The ADV601 stores 25 minutes of VHS-quality video in only 1 Gbyte of hard-disk space. Housed in a 160-pin PQFP, the ADV601 costs $35.95 (10,000). Analog Devices Inc, Norwood, MA. (617) 937-1428.

IC implements data acquisition subsystem.

Two single-chip serial data-acquisition subsystems use dual-slope integration conversion to deliver 17-bit accuracy with >60 dB of 50/60-Hz noise rejection. Powered by a single 5V supply, the TC530 and TC534 accept both differential and bipolar input signals up to ±4.5V. The TC534 has an on-chip four-channel analog multiplexer, and the TC530 is a single-channel version. Each device uses a charge-pump converter with a ­5V, 10-mA output. Packaging options include DIP, SOIC, and QFP configurations. Prices start at $4.60 (1000) and $6.20 (1000) for the TC530 and TC534, respectively. Telcom Semiconductor Inc, Mountain View, CA. (415) 968-9241.

64-kbit serial EEPROM fits set-top boxes.

For applications requiring a compact yet dense nonvolatile memory, such as set-top boxes and satellite receivers, the ST24E64 serial EEPROM stores 64 kbits in an eight-pin DIP or a small outline package. The device uses the extended I²C serial protocol that overcomes the 16k size limit of the I²C bus by extending the address range with a second address byte. The ST24E64 handles write operations at 2.5V and read operations at 2.0V. The part costs $2.50 (10,000). SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, Lincoln, MA. (617) 259-0300.

4-Mbit flash memory devices take one supply.

Several single-supply 4-Mbit flash memory devices are pin-compatible with equivalent devices from AMD and Fujitsu, but are built with a 0.6µ double-metal CMOS flash process. The M29F040 is a 5V-only flash device, and the M29V040 is a 3V version. The M27C405 and M27V405 are OTP EPROMs that provide a lower cost alternative to flash in applications where code is stable. The M29V040 is offered as an open order entry at $11.50 (>10,000); the M27C405 is also an open order entry and costs $6.90 in like quantities. SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, Lincoln, MA. (617) 259-0300.

Content-addressable memory cuts LAN search delays.

Housed in a 44-lead PLCC, the MU9C2480A CAM provides efficient data searching in both LAN and WAN environments. The 2k×64-bit-wide LANCAM allows a network station list of any length to be searched in a single transaction. Memory-array width is configured as a mixture of CAM and RAM segments on 16-bit boundaries. The MU9C2480A comes in speed grades of 70, 90, and 120 nsec. A 120-nsec version costs $38 (1000). Music Semiconductors, Colorado Springs, CO. (719) 570-1550.

Programmable IC monitors analog signals.

An electrically programmable IC, the IMP50E30, integrates the functions of >18 discrete analog and digital components to provide user-configurable monitoring of analog signals, detection of system faults, support of preventative maintenance, or advice on system perishables and consumables. The IC includes level and window comparison circuits, a serial ADC, 16-channel single-ended or eight-channel differential input multiplexer, channel scanner, programmable-gain instrumentation amplifier, and input filter. The 5V device comes in a 44-lead PLCC and costs $9.36 (1000). IMP Inc, San Jose, CA. (408) 432-9100.

Transimpedance IC boosts low-level sensor currents.

The IVC102, a FET-input integrating amplifier with on-chip integration capacitors and analog switches, provides a low-noise alternative to op-amp/resistor transimpedance amplifiers. The device integrates positive or negative input current to accommodate a variety of sensor types and biasing techniques. You can connect separate 10-, 30-, and 60-pF integration capacitors in combinations as high as 100 pF. Input bias current is typically 100 fA (750 fA maximum); nonlinearity is 0.005% typ. Packaging options include 14-pin DIP and SO configurations. Prices start at $4.25 (1000). Burr-Brown Corp, Tucson, AZ. (520) 746-1111.

64-Mbit DRAMs serve as drop-in memory upgrades.

Fabricated in 0.35-µm CMOS, Hitachi's 64-Mbit DRAMS operate at 3.3V and have access times as fast as 60 nsec. The 16M×4-bit HM5165405A, 8M×8-bit HM5165-805A, and 4M×16-bit HM5165165A also come in versions that operate in fast page and EDO modes. The chips are used to produce high-density 128- and 64-Mbyte DIMMs to enable drop-in memory upgrades for servers and high-end workstations. Prices start at $250 (1000) for TSOP-II DRAMs and $2450 for an 8M×72-bit 168-pin DIMM (1000). Hitachi America Ltd, Semiconductor & IC Division, Brisbane, CA. (800) 285-1601, ext 11.

ADC suits video decoding and set-top boxes.

The SPT7852 integrates two 10-bit ADCs with sample rates as high as 20 Msamples/sec into a 44-lead TQFP. Channel-to-channel crosstalk is 70 dB and total power dissipation is 160 mW. You can use the SPT7852 for coherent in-phase/quadrature channel processing in QAM and QPSK demodulation and TV set-top converter boxes, as well as S-video digitizing and composite digitizing from multiple video sources. The converter operates from a single 3.3 or 5V supply and costs $14.95 (1000). Signal Processing Technologies Inc, Colorado Springs, CO. (719) 528-2300.

Filters suppress noise in 100VG-AnyLAN, 100BaseT4 networks.

Two filters for 100VG-AnyLAN and 100BaseT4 networks offer noise suppression in compact surface-mount packages. The NT803-011 100VG-AnyLAN four-channel filter, housed in a 0.980×0.610-in. package, offers a CMRR of 30-dB min from 1 to 30 MHz and 20 dB from 30 to 100 MHz. Crosstalk suppression ranges from 50-dB min at 1 MHz, 30 dB from 1 to 15 MHz, and 20 dB from 15 to 30 MHz. Supplied in a 1.010×0.890-in. housing, the NT806-011 100BaseT4 four-channel filter has the same CMRR as the NT803-11 and crosstalk suppression of 40-dB min from 2 to 12.5 MHz. Prices start at $3.65 for the NT803-01, and $4.15 for the NT806-011 (10,000). Datatronics Inc, Romoland, CA. (909) 928-7700.

Controller blanks TV violence.

As an add-on peripheral to the main TV controller, the Z86129 serves as a Line 21 decoder for extended data services (XDS), closed captions, and violence blocking. You can preprogram the controller for compliance with EIA-608 specifications for XDS, including automatic clock setting for TVs, VCRs, and set-top boxes. In addition to automatic data-extraction and on-screen display capabilities, the Z86129 can monitor either the main TV channel or the information displayed in the picture-on-picture window. Prices start at $1.50 (OEM). Zilog, Campbell, CA. (408) 370-8000.

Fast Ethernet controller has PCI bus and EEPROM interfaces.

The SC82C168 fast Ethernet MAC requires fewer external components than comparable devices. The IEEE 802.3-compliant device is based on a 10BaseT/100BaseT MAC ASIC and provides a PCI-bus interface and on-chip autonegotiation, eliminating the need for an external latch for external ROM. Unlike other fast Ethernet controllers, the SC82C168 includes a standard "microwire" EEPROM interface, eliminating the need for an external EEPROM interface and the logic to access it. The controller costs $23 (50,000). Philips Semiconductors, Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 991-2000.

Digital thermometer ICs include sensor, ADC, reference.

By combining a sensor, an ADC, voltage reference, and control logic in a three-pin TO-92 package, the TMP03 and TMP04 digital-output temperature sensors simplify complex thermal-monitoring systems. Accuracy over the ­40 to +100°C measurement range is < ±3° (±1.5° from ­25 to +100°C typ) when using a single 5V supply, which can vary from 4.5 to 7V. The TMP03 has an open-collector 5-mA output; the TMP04 provides a TTL-CMOS output. Prices start at $2.49 (1000). Analog Devices Inc, Canton, MA. (617) 937-1428.