Pericom Semiconductor Corporation announced a trio of new high-performance crystal oscillator clock chips that provide 3.3V cost-effective solutions to replace more expensive VCXO modules. The new clock devices span frequency ranges from 10MHz to 40MHz, thus providing increased flexibility and functionality for electronic systems designers.

Pericom's three new VCXO (Voltage Controlled Crystal Oscillator) circuits, including part numbers, are: 1) A 27MHz frequency device (PI6CX100-27) that is aimed primarily at set-top boxes, professional video and DVD; (2) A 35MHz circuit (PI6CX100-35) that is well suited for high-speed DSL and xDSL modems; and (3) A generic device (PI6CX-101) that spans applications ranging from 10MHz to 40MHz. Of these end-use markets, Pericom believes the most prominent uses for these clock circuits will be in set-top boxes (STB) and telecommunications systems.

"Designers like options, and that's exactly what these new clock chips deliver," explained Ken Buntaran, Pericom's SiliconClock product marketing director. "Previously, customers who wanted to implement a crystal oscillator function had to rely on very expensive VCXO modules. But now there's a much more cost-effective solution. By combining our clock devices with an inexpensive external crystal, designers can forgo the much more costly module."

"We expect explosive growth in VCXOs in such communications applications as wireless base stations and external telecom installations," Buntaran continued. "Over the next five years, billions of dollars will be spent on deployment of fixed and mobile wireless broadband technologies, including third-generation cellular (3G phones), local multi-point distribution service (LMDS), multi-point, multi-point distribution service (MMDS), and satellite platforms."

All three of Pericom's new CMOS clock circuits are low-cost, high performance VCXOs designed to replace expensive VCXO modules. The on-chip VCXO accepts a 0 to 3.3V input voltage to cause clocks to vary by +/-120ppm. Using an inexpensive external pullable crystal at frequencies from 10MHz to 40MHz produces the same desired output frequency.

Key Features of PI6CX Family

• 3.3V operating range; and VCXO tuning voltage from 0 to 3.3V
  
• Maximum operation frequency from10MHz to 40MHz; including two specialized devices, one with a frequency of 27MHz and another rated at 35MHz.
  
• Uses inexpensive external crystal.
  
• On-chip VCXO with pull range of 240ppm.
  
• 10mA output drive at CMOS levels.

Pericom Semiconductor Corporation, 2380 Bering Drive, San Jose, California 95131. Tel: 1-800-435-2336, Fax: 408-321-0933. http://www.pericom.com

This year, the estimated U.S. market size for these VXCO clock chips is $108 million, and predicted to rise to $115 million in 2002, according to a compilation of several electronics industry market research sources. Pericom, betting on this upswing, has examined where the most need will be - mainly the set-top box and DVD markets.

The three crystal oscillator clock chips from Pericom Semiconductor offer low-cost 3.3-V replacements for VCXO (Voltage Controlled Crystal Oscillator) modules. They made the selection process easy enough by offering clocks at the appropriate frequencies for the very popular set-top boxes and DVD applications (27MHz), the xDSL modems (35MHz) and a generic device that is appropriate for devices ranging from 10 to 40 MHz. These clock chips are really useful because you can combine them with an inexpensive external crystal, saving money in the process.

The on-chip VCXO accepts a 0 to 3.3V input voltage, which causes the clocks to vary by +/-120ppm. An inexpensive external pullable crystal at frequencies from 10 MHz to 40 MHz is also employed to produce the desired output frequency.

Sampling right now in SOIC packages, Pericom's P16CX clock circuits are priced at $2.65 each in 1K quantities or $2.15 each in 10K quantities. The devices are scheduled to reach volume production in 1Q02. All three clock chips are available in SOIC packages.

Datasheets:
PI6CX100-27 (click link above)
PI6CX100-35