Semtech Offers Family of Single-Chip, Stratum 3 Compliant Line Card Clock Switches for PDH/SONET/SDH Network Synchronization.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CAMARILLO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 20, 2003

New ACS8525, ACS8526 and ACS8527 are latest offerings

in a product line that continues to revolutionize

clock synchronization for SONET/SDH applications

Semtech Corp. (Nasdaq: SMTC), a leading supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors for communications, portable devices, computers, and industrial equipment, today announced three product additions to its Synchronous Equipment Timing Source (SETS) family. The new ACS8525, ACS8526 and ACS8527 single-chip devices provide the line card protection switching and clock synthesis function in PDH, SONET or SDH networks. Each of the three line card devices is Stratum 3 compliant and complements the company's master synchronization products to provide users with a wide selection of cost/performance features in their synchronization architectures.

Semtech's new family of line card protection switches can be employed in a wide range of applications such as ADMs, switches, cross-connects, core routers, and DSLAMS. The cards are well suited for retrofitting existing systems where it is necessary to add or increase synchronization capability. These feature-rich devices also provide an economical solution for designers looking to minimize their current system footprint.

The ACS8525, ACS8526 and ACS8527 devices employ a patented, phase detector technique and a mixed analog and digital PLL (phase-locked loop) architecture. This design results in unparalleled levels of performance for the line card application, including the best MTIE and TDEV figures in the industry. The ACS8525 uniquely incorporates protection switching for both the synchronization reference clock and the associated Frame Sync to provide a benefit called "group switching" which enables simultaneous switching of multiple line cards.

The ACS8525 also allows an input source switch to be initiated automatically upon fast detection of a failure with the input reference; the switchover typically results in an output phase disturbance of less than 2.5ns. The ACS8525 can achieve a virtually hitless protection switch of less than 100ps with enhanced software control. Selection and switching of the input source can also be controlled externally, in combination with the reference failure LOS_ALARM output from the device.

Employing a low-cost 12.8MHz external oscillator, the ACS8525, ACS8526 and ACS8527 offer protection switching upon input reference failure. They also provide frequency translation and highly accurate digital holdover to maintain output clocks when all input references fail.

The ACS8525 and ACS8526 line card protection devices simultaneously generate multiple output clocks with a choice of up to 55 different frequencies. Frequencies include n x E1, n x DS1, E3, DS3 rates, and standard OC-n rates up to 155.52 or 311.08MHz with 2kHz and 8kHz frame synchronization clocks. The ACS8527 device generates 11 standard rates. The exact input and output configuration for all three devices can be programmed for application flexibility via a serial microprocessor interface and/or hardware pins.

Semtech's family of line card protection switches is highly flexible and meets a wide range of synchronization requirements, including Telcordia's GR-1244 and GR-253 for SONET Stratum 3 clocks and SONET minimum clocks. For SDH equipment clocks, the device meets the ITU-T's G.813 and G.812 for Option 1 and Option 2 clocks and ETSI ETS 300 462.

Key Features of the ACS8525, ACS8526 and ACS8527 devices

-- Suitable for line cards in Stratum 3E, 3, 4E and 4 SONET/SDH Equipment Clock (SEC) systems

-- Robust input clock source quality monitoring

-- Simultaneous generation of OC-n, n x E1/DS1, E3/DS3, plus two sync pulse outputs

-- Highly accurate direct digital synthesis, plus four low jitter APLLs providing up to 55 different output frequency rates

-- Holdover accuracy of 0.0000012 ppm

-- Hitless source switching, typ. less than 2.5ns phase disturbance on a reference source switch

-- Best in industry MTIE and TDEV figures

-- JTAG on all variants

-- All pin compatible with a LQFP64 package

-- Dedicated EVB and Windows-based GUI tools

Pricing and Availability

Sample quantities of the ACS8525, AS8526 and ACS8527 are available now from Semtech's authorized network of sales representatives and distributors. Datasheets, evaluation boards, samples, and pricing may be requested from Semtech's Advanced Communications Products Division at [e-mail] or via the Company's website at www.semtech.com. Please reference the following part numbers when contacting us:

Evaluation Board: ACS8525EVB, ACS8526EVB, and ACS8527EVB

Samples: ACS8525, ACS8626, and ACS8527

About Advanced Communications

Semtech's Advanced Communications Products Division continues to revolutionize SONET/SDH network synchronization by providing next generation solutions for higher levels of system synchronization management and overall system performance. The company's timing synchronization products, power controllers, power regulators, transient voltage suppressors, high speed line drivers, and ECL clock/logic devices are employed worldwide throughout the most advanced optical telecom networks.

About Semtech

Semtech Corporation is a leading supplier of high-quality analog and mixed-signal semiconductor products. The company is dedicated to providing customers with proprietary solutions and breakthrough technology in power management, protection, advanced communications, human interface, test and measurement, and high-speed clock/logic products. Publicly traded since 1967, Semtech is listed on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol SMTC. For more information, contact Semtech Corp. at 200 Flynn Road, Camarillo, CA 93012-8790; phone [phone]; email to [e-mail]; or visit its Web site at www.semtech.com.