Clock Generators and Buffers

News: Silicon Labs expands timing portfolio with the acquisition of SpectraLinear

Silicon Labs' clock generator and clock buffer integrated circuit (IC) devices provide low jitter, low power, frequency flexible clock generation and distribution. The portfolio includes high-performance clocks for high-speed, low-jitter applications, as well as clocks for cost-sensitive, high volume applications.

• Clock Generators
• Clock Buffers

Clock Generators 

Differential + LVCMOS Clock Generators

Silicon Labs' differential + LVCMOS clock generators provide any rate, any output frequency synthesis. Any combination of output frequencies can be generated exactly with 0 ppm error. Independent signal format and VDDO options provide integrated level translation, supporting LVPECL/LVDS/HCSL/LVCMOS clock generation up to 710 MHz with sub 1 ps rms phase jitter. Single device solutions are available for generation of PCI Express (PCIe) Gen 1/2/3 differential clocks combined with LVCMOS clock generation.

LVCMOS Clock Generators (1-4 Outputs)

Silicon Labs' highly flexible, factory and I²C programmable LVCMOS clock generators can be customized to generate multiple frequencies with equivalent frequency synthesis capability of 4 PLLs, with significantly lower jitter, lower power and smaller size than competing solutions. Factory customized options are available to minimize EMI, including programmable edge rates, programmable impedance, programmable skew and spread spectrum.

LVCMOS Clock Generators (5+ Outputs)

Silicon Labs' highly flexible, factory and I²C programmable LVCMOS clock generators can be customized to generate multiple independent non-integer-related frequencies with equivalent frequency synthesis capability of 8 PLLs, with exact frequency synthesis (0 ppm error), significantly lower jitter, lower power and smaller size than competing solutions. Factory customized options are available to minimize EMI, including programmable edge rates, programmable impedance, programmable skew and spread spectrum.

PCI Express Clocks

Silicon Labs has the lowest jitter clocks for PCI Express (PCIe) Gen 1/2/3. To optimize performance, the devices support programmable drive strength, rise/fall times and output impedance. HCSL and LVDS options are available. Support for down and center spread spectrum clock generation (SSCG) is also provided.

Integrated Clock + VCXO Solutions

These integrated clock + VCXO devices feature an integrated voltage controlled oscillator (VCXO), which eliminates the need for custom, pullable crystals. Free-running and VCXO clocks can be generated by one device, making them ideal for cost-sensitive consumer applications.

Embedded Intel x86 Clocks

Silicon Labs offers an extensive family of Intel-compliant x86 clocks for embedded computing, communications and industrial applications.

EMI Reduction Clocks

Silicon Labs' programmable spread spectrum clock generators feature a wide range of programming options allowing system designers to minimize EMI at the application level. Configurable parameters include spread spectrum percentage/modulation rate, programmable edge rates, programmable impedance and programmable skew.

Clock Buffers 

Fanout Buffers (non-PLL)

Silicon Labs' low jitter clock buffers produce multiple copies of an input clock at the same frequency with minimal additive jitter. LVDS, LVPECL, HCSL, LVCMOS, SSTL and HSTL buffers are available, including devices that support integrated level translation.

Zero Delay Buffers

Silicon Labs' zero delay clock buffers are used in applications that require zero propagation delay between the input and output clocks. Silicon Labs' zero delay buffers provide low power consumption and simplify the distribution of spread spectrum clocks.

Industry's Shortest Lead Times for Timing ICs

To help you get to market faster, Silicon Labs offers custom, factory-programmable clocks and oscillators. Samples generally ship in two weeks or less.

• Custom Clocks – Specify any combination of input/output frequencies, and build a custom, application-specific clock.
• Custom Oscillators – Specify a custom oscillator and build a part number in minutes.
• Clock Tree Design Services – Send your clock requirements, and Silicon Labs will return a custom clock tree proposal within 3 business days that maximizes system performance while minimizing BOM cost and complexity.

Download the Clock and Oscillator Selector Guide