PCIe clock generators offer the smallest footprint and lowest power
Designed to meet the stringent specifications of the PCIe Generation 1/2/3 standards, the Si52111 and Si52112 clock generator ICs target high-volume consumer, embedded, communications and enterprise applications where board space, power consumption and system cost are critical concerns.
Silicon Labs’ Si5211x clock generators are well-suited for space-constrained, power-sensitive consumer electronics products such as digital still cameras that require industry-standard PCIe connectivity. Addressing the small form factor requirements of these consumer applications, the Si5211x clocks are available in a 3 mm x 3 mm 10-pin TDFN package – the smallest package available in the PCIe timing market.
The ultra-low-power clock generators offer up to eight times lower current consumption (less than 15 mA) than competing devices, making it easier for designers to meet green power regulations while enhancing system reliability. The devices also meet PCIe jitter requirements with up to 50 percent margin, enabling a lower bit error rate to further improve reliability.
In addition to offering power savings and improved jitter margin, the Si5211x clock generators use an innovative push-pull output buffer technology. Compared to existing solutions in the market today, the Si5211x PCIe clock generators integrate all termination and reference resistors on chip, eliminating the need for additional external components.
The highly integrated devices are designed to help system designers reduce the bill of materials, board space requirements and design complexity. Most competing solutions require up to four resistors per output clock, as well as a current source reference resistor. As an added benefit, on-chip integration of these resistors enables the designer to lay out a clean transmission line from the output of the Si5211x IC to the input of the receiver, simplifying board design and removing discontinuities in the clock transmission lines that can otherwise degrade signal integrity.
Availability and Pricing
Production quantities of Silicon Labs’ Si5211x PCIe clock generators are available now in a choice of 1 and 2 PCIe outputs. Pricing in 10,000-unit quantities ranges from $0.53 to $0.91. Silicon Labs offers easy-to-use evaluation platforms to accelerate PCIe application development. The Si52112-B4-EVB dual-output PCIe clock generator evaluation board is priced at $100.
For more information about Silicon Labs’ PCIe clock generator and buffer portfolio at www.silabs.com/pci-express-clocks
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
