Solid-state oscillator simplifies stocking

A new silicon oscillator is billed as the industry's fastest, providing a simple, compact and robust timing solution for FPGAs, CPLDs, microprocessors and DSPs.

A new silicon oscillator from Linear Technology is billed as the industry's fastest, providing a simple, compact and robust timing solution for FPGAs, CPLDs, microprocessors and DSPs.

The LTC6905 resistor-set oscillator can generate clock signals from 17MHz to 170MHz using only this SOT-23 device and one resistor.

The output frequency is determined by the resistor, allowing generation of any frequency value over the entire range.

The LTC6905 offers important advantages in high reliability applications.

As a solid state CMOS device, it contains no internal mechanical resonating element.

Standard silicon fabrication and assembly means that the LTC6905 is inherently immune to shock and vibration - a key advantage over crystals and ceramic resonators.

Versions of the LTC6905 are available with guaranteed specifications over the commercial (0 to 70C), industrial (-40 to +85C) and automotive (-40 to +125C) temperature ranges.

"Purchasing is also simplified", according to Erik Soule, General Manger for the Signal Conditioning Business Unit.

"With the LTC6905, you can stock a standard device and multiple resistor values".

"Crystal oscillators, especially those with less common frequency values, can be expensive and have long lead times".

The low jitter LTC6905 provides a stable frequency source over time and temperature.

Internally, a proprietary feedback loop linearises the relationship between the set resistor and frequency, meaning no PLL is required to generate signals over the entire 17 to 170MHz span.

As a result, clock jitter is only 50ps at 170MHz, with typical rise times of 500ps.

In addition, temperature stability is competitive with most crystals at only +/-20ppm/C.

The clock output starts up reliably and quickly (100us), yet the device draws only 6mA of supply current running at 100MHz.

All versions are in full production, with pricing starting at $1.65 each in 1000-piece quantities.

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