Generator produces leading-edge clock signals

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Aug 16, 2006

Clock generator provides high performance required for both Rambus XDR memory systems and the FlexIO processor bus interface supporting the new "Cell processor" architecture.

Cypress Semiconductor has introduced a clock generator specifically developed to provide the high performance clock signals required for both Rambus XDR (extreme datarate) memory systems and the FlexIO processor bus interface supporting applications that employ the new "Cell processor" architecture.

The Cell processor, developed jointly by IBM, Sony and Toshiba, is optimised for the kind of real-time calculations needed in today's broadband, media-rich environment such as game consoles, consumer electronics, and advanced computing systems.

It employs nine processors on a single chip, with a specially designed 300Gbit/s bus knitting the processors into a single machine.

The Rambus XDR memory and FlexIO processor bus interfaces account for 90% of the Cell processor signal pins, providing an unprecedented aggregate processor I/O bandwidth of approximately 100Gbyte/s.

The Cypress XDR clock generator (XCG) provides four programmable differential outputs using a reference input clock of either 100 or 133MHz to enable the 6.4Gbyte/s XDR memory system and the up to 8.0GHz FlexIO processor bus.

The XCG also supports spread spectrum modulation, reducing the EMI generated from the clock distribution network.

"The Cypress XCG adds a new capability to our consumer clock portfolio, providing a very high-performance clock generator to meet the needs of next generation digital entertainment systems", said Mehdi Behnami, Product-Marketing Manager of Cypress's General Purpose Clocks Business Unit.

"It gives us inroads into high-performance, high-volume applications with major customers worldwide".

"Working with industry leaders such as Cypress to bring advanced clock generators to the market helps to build out the high-volume production infrastructure for our XDR memory solution", said David Nguyen, Vice President of Engineering at Rambus.

"The XDR clock generator is a critical component in XDR and FlexIO implementations, providing the high performance clock signals required for advanced high-speed applications".

The CY24271ZXC XCG is available today in a 28-pin TSSOP package.

Pricing for the device is under $2.50 in 1000-unit quantities.