The Cascade family of MEMS clock ICs have been introduced by SiTime for 5G, wireline telecomms and data centre infrastructure. The SiT9514x is a clock-system-on-a-chip (ClkSoC) family of clock generators, jitter cleaners, and network synchronisers that deliver multiple clock signals in a system. The devices use SiTime’s third-generation MEMS resonators for low power, high performance operation.
The Cascade ClkSoCs can replace clock ICs which have external quartz references, used by communications systems to integrate multiple timing functions and to distribute clock signals. The SiT9514x’s all-silicon clock architecture integrates a MEMS resonator reference inside the package.
The integrated MEMS resonator eliminates issues with quartz such as capacitive mismatch, activity dips, susceptibility to shock, vibration, and EMI, says SiTime.
Based on SiTime’s MEMS technology, the Cascade clock-SoC is claimed to deliver up to 10 times higher reliability and resilience, to enable zero downtime. This is particularly relevant for 5G networks.
5G is expected to deliver 10 times faster speeds and 10,000 times more data, with 50 times lower latency and zero downtime. To make this vision a reality, SiTime explains, 10 to 30 times more devices will be deployed, many of them in uncontrolled environments close to the consumer. Each of these connectivity gains is dependent on the accuracy, resilience and reliability of the timing heartbeat of the system. Silicon MEMS timing technology inherently provides better
Used as a standalone device or with SiTime’s MEMS TCXOs and OCXOs, the SiT9514x can be used for timing in a variety of applications such as 5G remote radio units (RRUs), small cells, edge computers, switches and routers.
The Cascade family joins SiTime’s Elite Platform Super-TCXOs and Emerald OCXOs. The Cascade devices offer a complete clock SoC which allows our customers to simplify their designs and reduce time to market. SiTime believes it is the only provider of MEMS resonators, oscillators, and clock ICs.
The SiT9514x clock SoCs feature four independent PLLs, with the flexibility to support time synchronisation applications where multiple independent clock domains are required. There are up to 11 outputs with an operating frequency range of 8kHz to 2.1GHz, as well as a one pulse per second (PPS) output, for maximum frequency agility.
The programmable PLL loop bandwidth is down to 1mHz for maximum filtering of wander or network noise in IEEE 1588 and synchronous Ethernet. Another feature is fail-safe operation in case of input clock failures through faster hitless switching between four independent inputs. In such a situation, the device automatically switches to different input clock sources with minimum phase transient at the output, allowing the downstream PLL to remain locked, and the system to continue to operate reliably
Rich programmable features and configuration options are blank in-system programmable (ISP) devices and pre-programmed versions which enable system boot up without software configuration for maximum simplicity
EVBs and TimeMaster software enable users to map clock configurations and generate the scripts for software integration, which speeds development
The SiT9514x clock-system-on-a-chip family is sampling now. High volume production quantities will be available in Q4 2020.
Sector News
Renesas introduces low quiescent current RF amplifier
The company says the F1490 RF amplifier has low quiescent current of just 75mA to save power in 4G/5G infrastructure systems. This is much lower than competitive amplifiers, says Renesas Electronics.
The F1490 is a second-generation high-gain, two-stage RF amplifier that covers the key sub-6GHz 5G frequency bands from 1.8 to 5.0GHz. It delivers high gain with selectable modes and low power consumption. It also maintains high OP1dB performance and 2.4dB noise figure, to meet the system-level requirements of a MIMO 5G pre-driver, said Naveen Yanduru, vice president of RF Communications, Industrial and Communications division at Renesas. “We are excited to continue driving LTE and 5G innovation with our RF amplifier solutions for active antenna systems (AAS), 4G/5G base stations, and other wireless communications equipment,” he added.
The amplifier is designed to operate within the 1.8 to 5.0GHz frequency range and has high gain, high linearity, and wide bandwidth. It is suitable for use with both frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD) sub-6GHz 5G applications. The F1490 is pin-to-pin compatible with current devices which contributes to lower design cost, says Renesas.
The F1490 has two selectable gain modes – 39.5dB high gain or 35.5dB low gain. It has high performance OIP3 of 38dBm and OP1dB of 24dBm and an operating temperature of +115 degrees C.
Today’s higher data rates drive the need for better radio signal-to-noise ratios, explains Renesas. The company’s patented RF product portfolio addresses the evolving needs of a range of applications, including cellular 4G/5G base stations, communications systems, microwave (RF/IF), CATV, and test and measurement equipment. Renesas’ AAS range includes interface amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, switches and pre-drivers to address the high performance transmit and receive requirements of massive MIMO with the highest efficiencies in the smallest form factors, according to Renesas.
Samples of the F1490 are available now in a 3.0 x 3.0mm, 16-pin QFN package. Mass production will be available in September 2020.
Binder unveils printing technique that gives sensors a new dimension
Functional electronic layers can be laid directly on a component, says binder. The binder Innovation & Technology Center has developed the direct printing technique.
As digitisation increases and smart systems proliferate, there is a need for a balance between more complex sensor networks with data processing and simpler, more user friendly operator support, says binder. The trend toward miniaturisation makes it difficult to equip parts due to a limited amount of space with conventional sensors. The binder method of direct printing is claimed to overcome all these challenges. Dr Stefan Ernst, one of the co-developers of the new printing technique, explains: “The printed electronics need less space. In addition, they are more flexible in application and more cost efficient,” he said.
Using a recently developed transfer printing technique, binder was able, for the first time, to apply planar functional electronic layers with a thickness of maximum precision to textured, three-dimensional surfaces in only one printing pass.
Circuit traces, sensors and displays, for example, can be printed without the need for foils or other substrate materials. A protective layer can be overprinted and specially developed nano pastes provide stable parameters for the printing process.
Intended uses in the industrial area range from flexible circuit traces and heating elements to sophisticated sensors. By printing capacitive sensor elements, for example, touch displays of almost any shape can be implemented on three-dimensional and/or textured surfaces. The same approach can also be used for an intuitive gesture control system. Temperature sensors or strain gauges can be implemented by measuring the change in the resistance values of the printed functional layers. The flexible printing technique allows the sensor to be quickly adapted to the application-specific task.
The newly created binder electronic solutions group provides custom-made solutions for connectors, contacts, circuit layout and automatic placement. Services range from design and prototype to series production.
Surveillance camera reference design has auto-focus for object detection
Renesas Electronics and Novatek Microelectronics have collaborated on a surveillance camera reference design offering phase-detection auto-focus. It delivers fast and superior object detection and recognition for 4K video security and surveillance applications.
The ultra-high-definition (UHD) surveillance camera reference design addresses the high accuracy object detection and recognition needs of video security and surveillance systems. The reference design includes a camera image sensor (CIS) board with phase-detection auto focus (PDAF), and a high performance image signal processing (ISP) board and auto focus zoom lens software.
The surveillance camera reference design enables 4K resolution, excellent coluor imaging and better recognition accuracy of objects, including small objects in low-light conditions, claims Renesas. Its high speed auto focus operation can also be realized with low-priced lenses for a high performance 4K video security camera reference design and software that helps shorten the development time required in building a camera system with fast auto focus and enhanced imaging performance.
The reference design is built around Renesas’ high performance RAA462113FYL CMOS image sensor and Novatek’s dual core SoC image signal processor. The CIS board includes the RAA462113FYL, DC/DC buck converters, LDOs, motor driver and lens. The ISP board features the SoC and associated signal chain components.
The CMOS image sensor has high sensitivity, low noise, low power with high resolution 8M pixels. The sensor features HDR, PDAF functions and MIPI-CSI2 output, which support 30 frames per second at12-bit digital output.
The signal processor board includes an 800MHz dual core SoC image signal processor with sensor interface and interfaces for display, PHY, Wi-Fi module, GPS, and RS-485. There is also support for RTC, I2C, SPI, GPIO, audio IF, Flash/SD card, HDMI, Ethernet, SDIO, SCI, UART and an SDRAM controller.
Renesas developed the reference design in collaboration with Novatek Microelectronics and it was designed by, and is available from, Systemtec.
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