June 27, 2013 – Silicon Labs (NASDAQ: SLAB, Country Manager In-gyu Kim), a global leader in high-performance analog-intensive mixed-signal ICs, announced the launch of a MEMS-based oscillator boasting the industry's highest level of integration, designed to replace existing general-purpose crystal oscillators (XOs). Oscillators are essential components for industrial, embedded, and consumer applications known for price-sensitive, low-power, high-volume products, such as digital cameras, storage, memory, ATMs, PoS terminals, and multi-purpose printers. The newly launched Si50x oscillator is based on Silicon Labs' patented CMEMS® technology. CMEMS® is the first technology to enable the direct integration of MEMS structures onto standard CMOS wafers in mass production fabs, providing a highly integrated, high-reliability monolithic “CMOS + MEMS” IC solution.

Silicon Labs' Si50x CMEMS oscillator achieves smaller size, higher reliability, improved aging performance, and superior integration density compared to existing frequency control solutions through a patented monolithic architecture. This patented monolithic architecture integrates CMOS oscillator circuitry with MEMS resonators on a single die. The integration of CMOS and MEMS, combined with Silicon Labs' proven mixed-signal technology, is expected to transform the frequency control industry.

• CMEMS oscillators are manufactured in high-volume CMOS fabs equipped with integrated foundry lines that support wafer verification of complete oscillator systems for state-of-the-art quality and process control.

• CMEMS technology guarantees the frequency stability listed in the datasheet for 10 years, including variations due to soldering, load pulling, VDD deviation, operating temperature range, vibration, and shock. The guaranteed operating life is 10 times longer than the lifespan performance typically provided by conventional crystal and MEMS oscillators.
CMEMS oscillators utilize CMOS temperature sensors and compensation circuits in conjunction with MEMS resonators to ensure highly stable frequency output even under conditions of rapid temperature changes and the entire industrial temperature range. This provides a predictable and reliable frequency reference for the long operating life of industrial and embedded applications.
• By using materials that counteract temperature response during design, CMEMS resonators are passively compensated. This enables Silicon Labs to apply innovative mixed-signal circuit design technology, ensuring superior frequency and temperature stability and aging performance while producing smaller, lower-power, and more cost-effective oscillators.

The Si50x CMEMS oscillator supports all frequencies in the 32 kHz and 100 MHz ranges. Frequency stability offers ±20, ±30, and ±50 ppm options for extended commercial (-20 to 70 °C) and industrial (-40 to 85 °C) operating temperature ranges. The CMEMS oscillator is designed for a wide range of field and factory programming, including low-power and low-cycle jitter modes, set rise/fall times, and polarity selectable output enable (OE).

The Si50x CMEMS oscillator family generally solves material supply problems that occur in existing crystal-based solutions. The Si50x oscillator is manufactured by SMIC (Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation), China's largest and most advanced foundry, recognized as a global semiconductor foundry. The strategic relationship with the foundry enhances manufacturing and supply forecasting capabilities through the benefits of mass production and quality control. Since the CMEMS oscillator is integrated into a monolithic IC, it is supplied in a widely produced molded compound 4-pin package, ensuring a predictable and highly reliable supply of materials.

Jeremy Bouchaud, Director and Principal Analyst for MEMS and Sensors at IHS, said, “The timing market has reached an inflection point where recent generations of MEMS-based oscillators can provide cost-effective replacements for conventional oscillators with superior reliability.” He added, “Silicon Labs’ CMEMS technology is optimized for mass electronic device design and integrates MEMS resonators and frequency control circuits into a single device, providing a solution to replace crystals with the highest level of integration at present.”

Like other Silicon Labs oscillator products, the Si50x oscillator is available with web-based customization for a short sample lead time of two weeks, or optionally with immediate field programming through Silicon Labs' sales network for a lead time of “zero days.” In addition, the Si50x oscillator is pin and footprint compatible with existing crystal or MEMS oscillators, enabling a fast and easy drop-in replacement solution.

The Si50x family includes four products that enable thousands of highly flexible timing configurations:
• Si501: Single-frequency oscillator with OE (output-enable)
• Si502: Dual frequency oscillator with OE and FS (frequency-select)
• Si503: Quad frequency oscillator providing FS technology
• Si504: A fully programmable oscillator via a 1-pin interface for fine frequency tuning measured in PPB (parts per billion) units.

Mike Petrowski, Vice President and General Manager of Timing Products at Silicon Labs, stated, “The Si50x CMEMS oscillator family represents a significant technological advancement leading the frequency control market by combining all the manufacturing advantages of single-die MEMS-based solutions while retaining the benefits of general-purpose crystal oscillators and improving both reliability and lead times.” He added, “By leveraging Silicon Labs’ expertise in MEMS design, device and process integration, and mixed-signal technology, the Si50x family provides industry-leading general-purpose oscillator solutions for cost- and power-constrained embedded, industrial, and consumer electronics applications.”

Price and supply
Silicon Labs' Si501/2/3/4 CMEMS oscillators are currently available in production quantities in three industry-standard 4-pin DFN package sizes. The three package sizes are 2 mm x 2.5 mm, 2.5 mm x 3.2 mm, and 3.2 mm x 5 mm. Pricing for the Si50x oscillators starts at $0.44 for 10,000-unit quantities. To facilitate the evaluation and application development of CMEMS oscillators, Silicon Labs offers the Si501-2-3-4-EVB Evaluation Kit for $99. This evaluation kit provides pre-programmed Si504 devices and open sockets in respective package sizes suitable for customer evaluation.

For detailed information regarding Silicon Labs' Si50x CMEMS oscillator family (white papers, characteristics, product quality reports, etc.), as well as to order samples and development tools, please refer to www.silabs.com/CMEMS .