Simplified design for FemtoClock2 lowers power budget for data centres
With jitter as low as 64fs RMS, the FemtoClock2 family is available in a small 4.0 x 4.0mm2 24- and 28-pin QFN package options from Renesas Electronics. Power consumption is just 600mW.
The sub-100fs point-of-use clock is designed for data centre, server and network infrastructure markets. The FemtoClock2 family includes low jitter clock generators and jitter attenuators in a single package, enabling cost-effective and simple clock tree implementation for next-generation, high speed interconnect designs.
The best-in-class jitter enables customers to easily meet next-generation PAM4 requirements on new switch or router designs, says Renesas. The form factor makes it less than one third the size of similar products available today, says the company. Designers can place the clock source at the point of use – very close to the device receiving the clock signal – for streamlined PCB layout design, reduced cross talk, and cleaner signals. The FemtoClock2 can be configured as a DCO, clock generator, or jitter attenuator.
“PAM4 technology is enabling a major leap in data transmission rates in both communications and data centre segments resulting in stringent requirement on the clock in such systems,” said Bobby Matinpour, vice president of Renesas’ timing products, data centre business division. The small size of the FemtoClock allows it to be placed anywhere on the board at the point of use. “This greatly simplifies the design by eliminating the additive jitter associated with the extensive clock routing on the board,” said Matinpour.
Customers can combine the FemtoClock2 with Renesas’ small, single-output, high-performance oscillators, or the broader ClockMatrix portfolio of timing solutions to address challenging timing needs for their high-performance server and network infrastructure designs. FemtoClock2 also works seamlessly with systems using the recently introduced PTP Clock Manager software for IEEE 1588 support and can be combined with Renesas’ complementary power and microcontroller offerings to create comprehensive solutions for a variety of applications, such as the IEEE 1588 Winning Combination. FemtoClock2 also serves as the downstream clock capable of delivering 100fs at the pin without disrupting the synchronization.
The RC32504A and RC22504A FemtoClocks and an evaluation board are available now.
Renesas Electronics supplies microcontrollers, analogue, power, and SoC products for automotive, industrial, infrastructure and IoT applications.
