-- New MEMS-based Si50122 clock generator using CMEMS® technology,
Realizing reduction in PCIe system design size, cost, and complexity --

October 14, 2014 – Silicon Labs, a global leader in high-performance analog-intensive mixed-signal ICs, announced the development of the industry's smallest PCI Express (PCIe) compatible clock generator (product name: Si50122), targeting consumer and embedded applications where reliability, board space, component count, and power consumption are critical design factors. Designed to meet the demanding specifications of PCIe Gen 1, 2, and 3 standards, the new Si50122 clock utilizes Silicon Labs' low-power PCIe and CMEMS® technologies to provide energy-efficient, crystal-less timing solutions for applications such as digital video/general cameras, IP set-top boxes, HD streaming video players, HD digital TVs, home entertainment/audio systems, multifunction printers, consumer/small business storage, home gateways, and wireless access equipment.

The Si50122 is the first clock generator to incorporate Silicon Labs' patented CMEMS technology. It is characterized by the fact that it eliminates the need for bulky individual quartz crystals, as its internal CMEMS resonator provides a stable frequency reference to the device's CMOS clock circuit. Utilizing CMEMS technology, the Si50122 PCIe clock is resistant to shock and vibration, and guarantees performance and excellent reliability even under harsh conditions such as extreme temperature fluctuations. Since portable consumer electronics are vulnerable to impacts or drops, using a CMEMS PCIe clock generator—which is more robust than crystal-based solutions—eliminates the risk of system failure caused by a broken quartz resonator.

Available in an ultra-small 2mm x 2.5mm 10-pin TDFN package, the Si50122 is the industry's smallest PCIe clock generator and the industry's lowest-power crystalless PCIe clocking solution. Combining industry-leading features such as small size and ultra-low power, the Si50122 provides the best-in-class solution for space-constrained, portable, and battery-powered consumer electronics and embedded applications utilizing PCIe interconnect standards.

To reduce system cost, power consumption, and component count while simplifying board design, the Si50122 PCIe clock generator utilizes a low-power “push-pull” HCSL output buffer, eliminating the need for any external termination resistors at the HCSL output stage. Since third-party devices require up to four termination resistors and current source resistors per output, designers must manage up to nine external resistors for devices with two outputs. By using push-pull technology to reduce the number of these external components, designers can create a seamless transmission line from the output pin to the receiver, achieving cleaner signal integrity. In the output buffer, push-pull technology can reduce power consumption by more than 60% compared to the conventional constant current technology used by almost all PCIe clock providers.

The Si50122 PCIe clock provides two low-power 100MHz differential HCSL outputs and one 25MHz LVCMOS clock output. Since this product is a crystalless solution, an external 25MHz frequency source is not required. Like all of Silicon Labs' PCIe timing IC families, the Si50122 device provides performance that exceeds jitter requirements for PCIe Gen 1/2/3 standards and also supports spread spectrum modulation options to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI).

James Wilson, Marketing Director for Silicon Labs’ Timing product family, explained the background of the development, stating, “Recently, there has been a trend of consumer electronics and embedded products, which are highly constrained by power and space, continuously adopting the PCIe standard. As a result, developers require next-generation PCIe clocking solutions that can reduce power consumption, BOM count, and board size.” He added, “To keep pace with the rapidly expanding PCIe market, Silicon Labs has introduced the new CMEMS-based Crystalless Si50122 PCIe clock, which represents the pinnacle of integration, energy efficiency, reliability, and simple design.”

Product Price and Purchase Information
The Si50122 PCIe clock generator is currently available for both samples and production. Pricing starts at $0.77 per unit for orders of 10,000. Additionally, to accelerate PCIe application development, Silicon Labs offers the Si50122-Ax-EVB evaluation board for $125 (Suggested Retail Price). For detailed information on the Si50122 PCIe clock generator and to order samples and evaluation boards, please visit the Silicon Labs website at www.silabs.com/pci-express-clocks .