TI has introduced a family of highly-programmable, one to four PLL clock generator devices

Texas InstrumentsInc. has introduced a family of highly-programmable, one to four PLL clock generator devices with the capability to generate up to nine output clock sources from a single input frequency. The CDCE9xx and CDCEL9xx families of clock generators deliver very low jitter at 60ps typical for consumer applications.

The CDCE9xx devices provide either 2.5V or 3.3V outputs, while the CDCEL9xx provides 1.8V outputs, enabling the low-power capability needed for portable devices. Each PLL supports spread-spectrum clocking(SSC) to reduce EMIfor compliance with EMC regulations.

Each output can be programmed in-system for any clock frequency up to 230MHz. These features provide a number of system benefits, such as reduced power consumption, shorter lead time and the flexibility to easily upgrade the clock without redesigning the system, said TI. Consumer applications include IP-STBs or phones, digital media systems such as DTVs, streaming media and printers, navigation systems, and portable devices.

In addition, the clock generator family provides a variety of programmability options, including the ability to program and customize the devices in-system through I²C and an EEPROM. By offering footprint compatibility across the family, designers can adapt the system design easily without changing hardware, which reduces cost and enables the designer to simply increase or decrease the number of clock outputs, said TI. The devices further simplify system design by replacing components in the system such as crystals, oscillators, buffers and PLLs.

The clock devices are optimized to work with TI's DaVinci-based processors by generating any audio, video, processor or interface clocks to drive the digital processor, audio DAC or codec, and Ethernet or USB controller. The on-chip voltage-controlled crystal oscillator allows frequency synchronization of different data streams.