Semtech Serves Up Two New SETS ICs for WAN Clock Synchronization.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CAMARILLO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 2003

New ACS8520 and ACS8522 Stratum 3-Compliant Chips Broaden

Semtech's Revolutionary Clock Synchronization Family

for SONET/SDH/PDH Networks

Semtech Corp. (Nasdaq:SMTC), a leading supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors for communications, portable devices, computers and industrial equipment, announces two new devices in its Synchronous Equipment Timing Source (SETS) line. Building on its family of ground-breaking clock synthesis and line card protection switching devices, the ACS8520 and ACS8522 are high-integration, single-chip circuits that provide an essential re-timing of Stratum clocks in SONET, SDH or PDH WAN environments.

The new devices are highly configurable, enabling designers to rapidly achieve synchronization requirements for designs that implement Stratum 3/4E/4 clocks, SONET minimum clocks (SMC), or SONET/SDH equipment clocks (SEC). The devices are suitable for a wide range of communications applications, including add-drop multiplexers, switches, cross-connects, routers, DSLAMs, retrofit upgrades and other network elements.

The devices meet key industry standards including Telcordia GR-1244 and GR-253 for Stratum 3 clocks and SONET minimum clocks. For SDH equipment clocks, the devices meet ITU-T G.813 Option 1 and 2, and ETSI ETS 300 462 series standards. Both devices exceed the Stratum 3 clock performance requirement when used with external 12.8 MHz temperature compensated or oven controlled crystal oscillators (TCXO or OCXO).

The two devices are based on a mixed analog and digital PLL (phase-locked loop) architecture that incorporates Semtech's patented phase detector to enable direct phase locking. This yields unprecedented synchronization performance and minimizes system bit-error rates. Like prior Semtech SETS devices, the ACS8520 and ACS8522 both incorporate two independent PLL domains to further enhance synchronization performance. This dual-PLL approach also helps support generation of multiple, simultaneous clocks, each programmable to output one of 55 different clock rates, including standard n x E1, n x DS1, E3, DS3, and OC-n rates up to 155.52 or 311.08 MHz. Both devices allow output phase adjustment of +/-200 nanoseconds in 6 picosecond steps.

The ACS8520 accepts 14 individual reference clock inputs at varying rates, while offering eleven programmable clock outputs. The ACS8522 includes four fully programmable TTL clock inputs and outputs. Both devices provide independent frequency and activity monitors for each input, programmable soft and hard alarm thresholds for input failure, and programmable output pulse width and polarity with reference to another output. Both devices also generate independent SEC and BITS clocks, and 8 kHz frame synchronization and 2 kHz multi-frame synchronization clocks.

The ACS8522, which is intended for lower-complexity system synchronization needs, offers a serial interface for configuration and monitoring. The ACS8520, in addition to providing more clock inputs and outputs, also incorporates a standard eight-bit microprocessor interface for programming. This provides designers with the flexibility to develop a single sync card to fit multiple applications.

"Our highly adaptable single-chip SETS devices exceed the requirements of any optical networking system being deployed today," says Stewart Kelly, director of Semtech's Advanced Communications Division. "They revolutionize the way designers meet their system synchronization needs. The potent combination of our pioneering products and knowledgeable applications engineers has helped Semtech gain a reputation as the synchronization experts."

Key Features of the ACS8520 and ACS8522

-- Suitable for Stratum 3/4E/4 clock, SONET minimum clock (SMC), and SONET/SDH equipment clock (SEC) applications

-- Multiple, programmable input reference ports, each with robust input clock source quality monitoring

-- Simultaneously generates n x E1, n x DS1, E3, DS3, or OC-n output clock rates to 155.52 or 311.08 MHz, plus two sync pulse outputs

-- Absolute Holdover accuracy better than 0.0003 ppm (manual), 0.000000075 ppm (instantaneous); stability dependent on choice of external crystal oscillator

-- Programmable wander and jitter tracking/attenuation 0.1 Hz to 70 Hz in 10 steps

-- Automatic hit-less source switching on loss of input (phase disturbance 2.5 ns typ)

-- Industry's best MTIE (maximum time interval error) and TDEV (time deviation) performance

-- JTAG boundary scan

-- ACS8520 pin compatible with Semtech ACS8510 and ACS8530 devices

-- Dedicated evaluation boards and Windows-based GUI tools

Pricing and Availability

Samples of the ACS8520 and ACS8522 are available from Semtech's authorized sales representatives and distributors. Requests for datasheets, evaluation boards, pricing, and samples may be directed to Semtech's Advanced Communications Products Division at [e-mail] or via Semtech's Website at www.semtech.com. Please reference the following part numbers when contacting Semtech:

Evaluation Board: ACS8520EVB, ACS8522EVB

Samples: ACS8520, ACS8522

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.