Elantec Semiconductor Inc., a leader in high-performance analog ICs, introduced an innovative, highly-integrated monolithic 450MHz oscillator chip that will simplify the design of optical disk drives such as DVD-players for the Consumer Entertainment Market, and DVD-ROM, DVD-Recordable drives for the PC Data Storage Market.

The EL6200C maximum oscillator frequency value is 450MHz and the maximum amplitude value is 100mA peak-to-peak signal level. Both the oscillator frequency range and the oscillator amplitude range have independent adjustment by using two external chip resistors. The EL6200C is available in SOT23 and SO8 packages. The EL6200C in the SO8 package offers additional features such as high-speed output disable function and a powerdown chip enable.

Steve Sacarisen, Elantec's Line Manager, Optical Products Group, said the Company continues to focus it's expertise in high-performance analog design to develop optical products requiring performance-critical interfaces for the optical storage market. ýThe EL6200C offers simple, easy to use operation and is designed for maximum flexibility of the oscillator frequency and amplitude to achieve optimum performance in our customers' applications.ý The EL6200C is the latest addition to our family of optical analog products for the CD-R, CD-R/W, MO and DVD Optical Storage Markets.

Elantec seems to be moving away from its earlier steady fare of video, drivers and PSU products into the optical arena with this innovative oscillator following high-speed amplifiers and laser drivers for the same markets. But I hope they realise that there are a number of other markets they could now get into having solved what must have been some fundamental problems in getting this 450-MHz part to market. This is a space and cost-saving product for the optical disk market and Elantec will do really well from this part.

As noted, the EL6200C is available in either a SOT-23 or SO8 with additional features available on the 8-pin part. It is priced at $1.30 in 1000-piece lots. Samples are available now with production scheduled for October 1998, and evaluation boards and applications notes are available.