Cypress Clock Generator Supports Emerging Cell Processor Applications.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Meets Specification for Both XDR(TM) Memory Systems and FlexIO(TM) Processor Bus for Use in Consumer Electronics, Game Consoles, Networking, and Advanced Computing Systems

Cypress Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE:CY), a world leader in timing-technology solutions, has introduced a clock generator specifically developed to provide the high performance clock signals required for both the Rambus Inc. XDR(TM) (Extreme Data Rate) memory systems and the FlexIO(TM) processor bus interface supporting applications that employ the new "Cell processor" architecture.

The Cell processor, developed jointly by IBM, Sony and Toshiba, is optimized for the kind of real-time calculations needed in today's broadband, media-rich environment such as game consoles, consumer electronics, and advanced computing systems. It employs nine processors on a single chip, with a specially designed 300-gigabit-per-second bus knitting the processors into a single machine. The Rambus XDR memory and FlexIO processor bus interfaces account for 90% of the Cell processor signal pins, providing an unprecedented aggregate processor I/O bandwidth of approximately 100 gigabytes-per-second.

The Cypress XDR clock generator (XCG) provides four programmable differential outputs using a reference input clock of either 100 MHz or 133 MHz to enable the 6.4 GB/sec XDR memory system and the up to 8.0 GHz FlexIO processor bus. The XCG also supports spread spectrum modulation, reducing the EMI generated from the clock distribution network.

"The Cypress XCG adds a new capability to our consumer clock portfolio, providing a very high-performance clock generator to meet the needs of next generation digital entertainment systems," said Mehdi Behnami, product marketing manager of Cypress's General Purpose Clocks Business Unit. "It gives us inroads into high-performance, high-volume applications with major customers worldwide."

"Working with industry leaders such as Cypress to bring advanced clock generators to the market helps to build out the high-volume production infrastructure for our XDR memory solution," said David Nguyen, vice president of engineering at Rambus Inc. "The XDR clock generator is a critical component in XDR and FlexIO implementations, providing the high performance clock signals required for advanced high-speed applications."

The new Cypress XCG (CY24271ZXC) offers an array of features and functions, including:

--25-picosecond typical cycle-to-cycle jitter 

---135 dBc/Hz typical phase noise at 20 MHz offset

--100 or 133 MHz differential clock input

--300 to 800 MHz high-speed clock support

--Quad (open drain) differential output drivers

--Supports frequency multipliers: 3,4,5,6,8,9/2,15/2 and 15/4

--2.5V operation

Price and Availability

The CY24271ZXC XCG is available today in a 28-pin TSSOP package. Pricing for the device is under $2.50 in 1000-unit quantities. A high-resolution photo is available at www.cypress.com/XCG-photo.

About Cypress

Cypress solutions perform: consumer, computation, data communications, automotive, industrial, and solar. Leveraging proprietary silicon processes, Cypress's product portfolio includes a broad selection of wired and wireless USB devices, CMOS image sensors, timing solutions, specialty memories, high-bandwidth synchronous and micropower memory products, optical solutions and reconfigurable mixed-signal arrays. Cypress trades on the NYSE under the ticker symbol CY. Visit us at www.cypress.com.

Cypress and the Cypress logo are registered trademarks of Cypress Semiconductor Corporation. XDR and FlexIO are trademarks of Rambus Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.