Agere Systems Introduces Clock Driver Chips With Industry-Leading Jitter and Skew Performance, Made in Mainstream IC Technology

Business Wire, August 7, 2001

Business & High-Tech Editors

ALLENTOWN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 7, 2001

Agere Systems (NYSE: AGR.A) today announced two new clock driver chips - specialized integrated circuits (ICs) for distributing and synchronizing signals in electronic systems - that offer industry-leading jitter and skew performance.

The first chip, the LCK4950, offers output frequencies up to 180 megahertz (MHz). The second, the LCK4801, offers output frequencies of 336 MHz to one gigahertz (GHz). The new chips are the second and third in a family of high-performance clock drivers from Agere Systems, and are targeted for high-end computer workstations, servers and networking systems. Like the LCK4953 chip that Agere introduced last year, the new chips are made using mainstream complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) IC fabrication technology. They exceed the performance characteristics of other pin-compatible devices made using more specialized bipolar or BiCMOS fabrication technologies, especially with regard to improved jitter and skew and lower power dissipation.

"As system speeds increase, system designers are requiring improved skew and jitter performance to meet stringent clock synthesis and distribution requirements," said Ken Timko, performance products manager in the Analog Products organization of Agere Systems. "By exceeding the specifications of leading clock drivers on the market today, these products can enhance system performance by allowing for greater system predictability."

The LCK4950 can accommodate the most demanding clock tree designs by employing a fully differential phase-locked-loop (PLL) design. A 3.3-volt compatible chip, it offers output frequencies up to 180 MHz with peak-to-peak jitter performance of 35 picoseconds (ps) typical (50 ps maximum) and output-to-output skew performance of 150 ps typical (300 ps maximum).

The LCK4950 has nine low-skew configurable outputs to support the timing requirements of high-performance mainboard, I/O, or peripheral applications. The chip offers an internal oscillator (using an external crystal or ceramic resonator) and can also accept a TTL level reference clock input. The device is pin-compatible with the Motorola MPC950 clock driver, making it a second-source choice for manufacturing.

A feedback select (FBsel) pin allows for a wider range of input frequencies. When connected low, the lower input frequency range is selected providing output frequencies of up to eight times the input. The higher input range is allowed when FBsel is connected high.

There are four banks of outputs where each bank has a dedicated divide select (fsel). Depending on the divide selection, the outputs are one half, one quarter, or one eighth of the VCO speed.

The REF_SEL switch allows selection between a crystal input or a clock driven input. Connecting PLL_EN LOW and REF_SEL HIGH will disable the phase locked loop when the crystal oscillator is not used. In this mode, LCK4950 will be in clock buffer mode where any clock applied to TCLK will be divided down to the four output banks. This is ideal for system diagnostic test.

The LCK4950 is fabricated using Agere's COM1 modular CMOS process technology for high performance and low power dissipation. It is packaged in a seven-by-seven millimeter, 32-lead, thin quad flat pack (TQFP) package to provide optimum circuit board density. Production quantities are available now. Unit price is US$7.50 in quantities of 1,000.

The LCK4801 is a low-voltage, 3.3-volt HSTL differential clock synthesizer with output frequencies of 336 MHz to one GHz and full-period cycle-to-cycle jitter of five percent. It is designed to support single and multiple processor systems that require HSTL differential clock signals. The LCK4801 incorporates a fully integrated PLL and accepts two fully selectable clock inputs.

The LCK4801 is also fabricated using Agere's COM1 modular CMOS process technology and packaged in a seven-by-seven millimeter, 32-lead, thin quad flat pack (TQFP) package. Samples are available now, with production quantities slated for November. Production pricing is not yet available. Agere is also planning a version of this chip that supports PECL differential inputs, with sample availability projected for early next year.

For more product information, customers may visit Agere's Web site at www.agere.com or direct e-mail inquiries to docmaster@agere.com, attention department N98. Customers in the U.S. may contact the Agere Systems customer response center at 1-800-372-2447. Customers in Canada may call 1-800-553-2448; and customers outside of the U.S. or Canada may call 1 610 712 4323. Written inquiries may be faxed to 1 610 712 4106 or sent to Agere Systems, Room 30L-15PBA, 555 Union Boulevard, Allentown, Pa. 18109, USA.

Agere Systems is the world's No.1 provider of components for communications applications with leadership in optical components and integrated circuits. This dual capability uniquely positions Agere to deliver integrated solutions that form the building blocks for advanced wired, wireless, and optical communications networks. Agere also designs and manufactures a wide range of semiconductor solutions for communications-related devices used by consumers such as cellular phones, modems, and hard disk drives for personal computers and workstations. In addition, the company supplies complete wireless computer networking solutions through the ORiNOCO(tm) product line. More information about Agere Systems is available from its Web site at http://www.agere.com.