MEMS clock generator saves up to 80 per cent board space
Claimed to be the industry’s smallest multi-output MEMS clock generator, the DSC613 offers up to 80 per cent board space savings on timing components, says Microchip.
Measuring just 1.6 x 1.2mm, the DSC613 can replace up to three crystals and oscillators on a board, reducing timing component board-space by up to 80 per cent. It eliminates the need for an external crystal by integrating a low-power and high-stability MEMS resonator.
Timing devices are central to the operation of compact IoT and portable electronics, but clock sources traditionally require multiple components to meet the frequency requirements of consumer devices, explains Microchip.
The DSC613 family is a single-chip MEMS clock generator that integrates a MEMS resonator and two low-power phase-locked loops (PLLs) into a six-pin DFN package. The compact package size and extensive frequency flexibility makes the DSC613 family suitable for compact devices that require low-power operation, such as digital cameras, smart speakers, virtual reality (VR) headsets, streaming sticks and set-top boxes.
The clock generator supports up to three clock outputs from 2kHz to 100MHz, suitable for microcontroller-based embedded systems. In an IoT application, for example, the clock generator can be used to provide a MHz main reference clock and 32.768kHz real-time clock (RTC) for the microcontroller, as well as another MHz clock for functions such as connectivity and sensors.
The DSC613 family includes two low-power fractional PLLs with AnyRate clock synthesisers. At approximately 5mA power consumption with three outputs running, the family provides up to 45 per cent power savings when compared to a solution that uses three low-power quartz oscillators, says Microchip. For additional power savings, the clock output can be turned off through the output enable pin.
MEMS products are built with standard semiconductor processes, providing the same reliability and stability as ICs, says Microchip, and the devices support a temperature range of up to -40 to +125 degrees C with a stability of ±20ppm.
All products are backed by Microchip’s customer-driven obsolescence practice that ensures that devices will be available for as long as customers need them.
The DSC613 is supported by Microchip’s ClockWorks online configurator tool. Clock configuration includes output frequency, control pin function, package size, PPM accuracy and temperature range. Up to three output drive strengths are available based on the custom board loading condition. Spread-spectrum clocks are also available for EMI reduction. Application support, including board layout guidelines and schematics review, is also available.
The DSC613 family is available now for sampling and in volume production.
