Discera ships industry’s first application programmable MEMS oscillators

SAN JOSE, USA: Discera Inc., a leading provider of silicon timing solutions announced the availability of its high performance DSC21XX I2C and DSC22XX SPI application programmable MEMS oscillators.

These oscillators are available in single and dual-output configurations with fully programmable output frequencies and drive strength. With 300 femtosecond RMS phase jitter and 10 ppm frequency stability, these are the highest performance programmable silicon-based oscillators to enter production.

“With this new line of ultra-flexible low-jitter oscillators, we make another leap forward in reducing development and lead times across the electronics industry,” said Discera CEO Bruce Diamond, “The DSC21XX and DSC22XX oscillators use MEMS technology to deliver better performance than fixed frequency oscillators with an unprecedented level of flexibility and reliability.”

The DSC21XX and DSC22XX oscillators support a variety of single and dual output CMOS, LVPECL, LVDS, and HCSL configurations. Full field programmability of these oscillators over industry standard interfaces allows a single part to serve as the timing reference for many different applications or product configurations. This programmability also enables real-time clock-rate and drive strength adjustment to test system limits or optimize performance for any application. The DSC21XX and DSC22XX are ideal companions to flexible FPGA and CPLD based designs.

Key features of the DSC21XX and DSC22XX oscillators include:

* Availability in any combination of single or dual CMOS, LVPECL, LVDS, and HCSL outputs.
* Programmable frequencies and drive levels using I2C for DSC21XX, and SPI for DSC22XX.
* Ultra-low phase jitter of 300 femtosecond RMS at 156.25 MHz (integrated 200 kHz to 20 MHz).
* Industry-leading frequency accuracy up to 10 ppm across temperature.
* Widest available temperature ranges up to -55 to 125 C.
* Very small 3.2x2.5mm 14-pin standard plastic package.
* Production lead time of two weeks.

At volume pricing of less than $2.25 in 10K quantities for the dual CMOS I2C-programmable DSC2111, these fully-integrated and application programmable MEMS oscillators offer semiconductor reliability and versatility, with better accuracy, leadtime and pricing than crystal oscillators or clock generators.