Microchip introduces the industry's smallest multi-output MEMS clock generator

     As consumer demand for compact Internet of Things (IoT) and portable electronic devices accelerates, product designers need to find solutions that reduce application size while extending battery life. Timing devices are critical to the operation of such products, but clock sources typically require multiple components to meet the frequency requirements of consumer electronics devices, resulting in high board space footprint and power consumption.

     To address these design issues, Microchip Technology introduced the industry's smallest MEMS clock generator, a new device that can replace up to three crystals and oscillators on a circuit board, reducing board space for timing components by up to 80%. The DSC613 clock family eliminates the need for external crystal oscillators by integrating low-power and high-stability micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) resonators.

     To meet the frequency range requirements of today's smart devices, system designers need to place multiple crystals/oscillators next to the controller on the board, or use a clock generator that provides a reference input via an external crystal oscillator. The DSC613 series is a true single-chip solution that integrates a MEMS resonator and two low-power phase-locked loops (PLLS) into a 6-pin DFN with package sizes as low as 1.6 mm x 1.2 mm. The compact package size and broad frequency flexibility make the DSC613 series ideal for small devices that require low-power operation, such as digital cameras, smart speakers, virtual reality (VR) headsets, streaming sticks, and set-top boxes.

     The DSC613 series supports up to three clock outputs in the frequency range from 2 kilohertz (kHz) to 100 megahertz (MHz), making it ideal for microprocessor-based embedded systems. For example, in iot applications, a clock generator can be used to provide a MHz master reference clock and a 32.768 kHz real-time clock (RTC) for a single chip microcomputer (MCU), while providing other MHz clocks for functional components such as connectivity and sensors.

     The DSC163 series includes two low-power fractional PLLS with an AnyRate® clock synthesizer, which enables it to generate arbitrary frequencies from 2 kHz to 100 MHz. The series offers three-way outputs that consume only about 5 milliamps (mA), which can save up to 45 percent compared to solutions that use three low-power quartz oscillators. To further reduce energy consumption, the clock output can be turned off via the output enable pin.

     Rami Kanama, vice president of Microchip's timing and Communications Business unit, said: "Microchip is the only one-stop timing service provider, providing network synchronization, clock generation and buffering, as well as MEMS, crystal and SAW-based oscillators in the frequency range from kHz to GHz. "The DSC613 clock generation family is the latest addition to our already extensive MEMS timing offering and provides a true single-chip timing solution for McU-based systems, making it an excellent clock partner for Microchip's MCU and MPU devices."