ICS Unveils Synchronous FemtoClock Family for High-Speed Communication

    Business Editors/Technology Editors

    TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 16, 2005--

    Industry's First Synchronous Subpicosecond Clock Generators Offer Integrated Low-Cost Alternative to Expensive Discrete Timing Solutions

    Integrated Circuit Systems, Inc. (ICS)(NASDAQ:ICST), the world leader in silicon timing solutions for the consumer, networking, and industrial electronics industries, today introduced the industry's first synchronous, ultra-low-phase-noise clock generators for data communications applications. Based on ICS' proprietary FemtoClocks(TM) technology, the new monolithic devices generate a high-speed, low-jitter output clock required for high-data-rate protocols and include a VCXO-based clock jitter attenuation circuit. Operating at 700 MHz with an output jitter of less than one picosecond (ps) rms, the synchronous FemtoClocks eliminate input clock jitter and offer a low-cost, integrated alternative to more expensive discretes and/or SAW-based clock devices.
    The first device in the family is the ICS843002-31 universal frequency translator. This device can accept an input frequency as low as 2 kHz and deliver an output clock of up to 700 MHz with less than 1 ps of rms jitter. Dual LVPECL outputs are provided, as well as a three-input clock multiplexer. The ICS843002-31 supports more than two billion frequency translation combinations.
    For example, the ICS843002-31 can be used in a SONET OC-48 (or SDH STM-16) linecard to deliver a GR-253-compliant 622.08-MHz SERDES reference clock using only the 8-kHz system frame clock as the reference. Using this monolithic device significantly reduces system complexity and cost. The ICS843002-31 FemtoClock is also ideal for digital video and media distribution applications.
    "FemtoClocks offer unmatched flexibility for customers who need leading-edge clock performance," noted Fred Zust, vice president of ICS' Networking Communications Timing division. "In some cases, a single FemtoClock can replace four expensive discrete devices. By adding the advanced synchronization feature set, we deliver a flexible, high-performance solution that is ideal for high-data-rate applications at considerably lower cost than previously possible."

    About FemtoClocks

    The synchronous FemtoClock products are designed for synchronous timing applications, such as digital video, media distribution, and broadband communications, including support for SONET/SDH and other serial data network protocols. These applications require jitter attenuation to prevent signal degradation, data loss, and content distortion. Synchronous FemtoClocks also provide clock frequency translation, which can be used in data-rate or protocol conversation. The VCXO-based jitter attenuation circuit uses an inexpensive, external pullable crystal.
    The FemtoClock family of ultra-low jitter clock generators provides sub-picosecond phase jitter performance that is unmatched for silicon-only clock generators. FemtoClock jitter is measured in femtoseconds, which are 1/1000 of a picosecond (or 1/1,000,000,000,000,000 of a second). FemtoClocks support the latest networking and telecommunications standards such as 1-, 2-, 4-, or 10-Gbps Fibre Channel; 1-, 10-, or 12-Gbps Ethernet; Serial ATA; SONET/SDH; xPON; and XAUI. Each FemtoClock accepts its input from either a standard low-cost fundamental crystal (less than 35 MHz) or external reference clock. The FemtoClock family is available in single and multiple outputs.

    Pricing and Availability

    The ICS843002-31 is available now in a 64-lead TQFP and priced at less than $20 in 1,000-unit quantities. For complete information on ICS' FemtoClock family, visit the company's web site at www.icst.com/femtoclocks.

    About ICS

    Integrated Circuit Systems, Inc. is a world leader in the design, development, and marketing of silicon timing devices for communications, networking, computing, and digital multimedia applications. The company is headquartered in Norristown, PA, with key facilities in San Jose, CA; Tempe, AZ; Worcester, MA; and Singapore. For more information, visit the company's web site at: http://www.icst.com.

    (C) Copyright 2005 Integrated Circuit Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FemtoClock is a trademark of Integrated Circuit Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners and may be registered in certain jurisdictions.

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CONTACT: Integrated Circuit Systems, Inc. Janet Berkman, 408-975-6838 berkmanj@icst.com

KEYWORD: ARIZONA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE ADVERTISING/MARKETING TELECOMMUNICATIONS MANUFACTURING PRODUCT SOURCE: Integrated Circuit Systems, Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2005