Clock/Timing - Clock Buffers, Drivers

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
83115BRLF Flip Electronics	LOW SKEW CLOCK DRIVER, 83115 SER	0
85211AMI-01LF Renesas Electronics America	IC CLK BUFFER 1:2 700MHZ 8SOIC	2
NB7L585MNR4G	LOW SKEW CLOCK DRIVER, 7L SERIES	3648
MC100LVE222FA	LOW SKEW CLOCK DRIVER	249
AD9515BCPZ Analog Devices, Inc.	IC CLK BUFFER 1:2 1.6GHZ 32LFCSP	868
SY58033UMG-TR Roving Networks / Microchip Technology	IC CLK BUFFER 1:8 5.5GHZ 32MLF	0
ADCLK950BCPZ Analog Devices, Inc.	LOW SKEW CLOCK DRIVER, 950 SERIE	1494
PL135-27GI-R Roving Networks / Microchip Technology	IC CLK BUFFER 1:2 40MHZ 6DFN	0
SI53304-B-GMR Silicon Labs	IC TRANSLATOR BUFF/LEVEL 32QFN	0
CDCLVP2108RGZT Texas Instruments	CDCLVP2108 LOW JITTER, DUAL 1:8	7000
SY89853UMG Roving Networks / Microchip Technology	IC CLK MULTIPLX 2:1 2.5GHZ 32MLF	199
NB3N853501EDTG	LOW SKEW CLOCK DRIVER, 3N SERIES	42431
PI49FCT3807BQE+AMX Zetex Semiconductors (Diodes Inc.)	CLOCK BUFFER QSOP-20	0
NB3N200SDR2G Sanyo Semiconductor/ON Semiconductor	IC CLK BUFFER 1:1 200MHZ 8SOIC	2500
CDCV304PW Texas Instruments	IC CLK BUFFER 1:4 200MHZ 8TSSOP	29539900
49FCT3805ASOGI8 Renesas Electronics America	IC CLOCK BUFFER 1:5 20SOIC	0
ZL40215LDF1 Roving Networks / Microchip Technology	IC CLK BUFFER 1:4 750MHZ 16QFN	0
CDCLVC1106PWR Texas Instruments	IC CLK BUFFER 1:6 250MHZ 14TSSOP	0
CDC340DW Texas Instruments	CDC340 1-TO-8 CLOCK DRIVER WITH	16512
CDC1104RVKR Texas Instruments	IC CLK BUFFER 1:4 120HZ 12WQFN	0

Clock/Timing - Clock Buffers, Drivers

1. Overview

Clock buffers and drivers are integrated circuits (ICs) designed to distribute clock signals in electronic systems. They amplify, condition, and route timing signals to multiple destinations while minimizing skew, jitter, and signal degradation. These components are critical in synchronizing operations across processors, memory modules, communication interfaces, and other timing-sensitive circuits. Their importance spans industries such as telecommunications, automotive, and high-performance computing.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Characteristics	Application Examples
Clock Buffers	Single-input, multiple-output devices with low phase noise and skew	CPU clock distribution, FPGA systems
Clock Drivers	High-drive capability for fan-out applications	Networking switches, server motherboards
Differential Clock Buffers	Supports LVDS, HCSL, and CML signal types	High-speed ADC/DAC systems, RF transceivers
Programmable Clock Buffers	Configurable output frequency/division ratios	Industrial automation, test equipment

3. Structure and Composition

Clock buffers/drivers typically consist of:

Input receivers (single-ended or differential)
Internal amplification stages
Output drivers with controlled impedance
Power supply decoupling structures
Thermal management pads (in QFN/SSOP packages)

They are fabricated using CMOS, Bipolar, or SiGe processes to optimize speed and noise performance.

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Description	Importance
Max Operating Frequency	Up to 1.2 GHz (CMOS), 3.2 GHz (SiGe)	Determines application suitability for high-speed systems
Additive Phase Jitter	0.05 ps RMS to 1 ps RMS	Impacts timing precision in data converters
Propagation Delay	50 ps to 5 ns	Critical in synchronized multi-channel systems
Output Voltage Levels	LVCMOS, LVDS, HSTL, etc.	Ensures compatibility with downstream circuits
Supply Voltage	1.8V to 5V	Affects power consumption and integration

5. Application Areas

Telecommunications: 5G base stations, optical transceivers
Computing: Servers, workstations, high-end PCs
Industrial: PLCs, motor controllers, test instruments
Automotive: ADAS clock synchronization, infotainment systems

Case Study: In 5G massive MIMO systems, low-jitter clock drivers ensure phase coherence across 64+ antenna elements.

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product	Key Specifications
TI (Texas Instruments)	CDCE62005	3.2 GHz LVDS driver, 0.1 ps RMS jitter
Analog Devices	ADCLK846	16-output clock buffer, 1.6 GHz bandwidth
STMicroelectronics	DF1610S	1.8V/3.3V dual supply buffer, 8 outputs
ON Semiconductor	MC100EP195	Differential ECL buffer, 2.5 GHz operation

7. Selection Recommendations

Key considerations:

Match output type to receiver requirements (LVDS/CML/LVCMOS)
Calculate required fan-out capacity with voltage margin
Specify jitter budget (e.g., <0.3 ps RMS for 10 Gbps SerDes)
Consider temperature stability (-40 C to +125 C automotive grade)
Optimize package size vs. thermal dissipation needs

8. Industry Trends

Future developments include:

Sub-100 fs jitter performance using advanced CMOS processes
Integration with PLL/VCO for clock generation
Multi-die packaging for hybrid signal conditioning
Energy-efficient designs for battery-powered IoT devices
Automotive-grade ICs with AEC-Q100 qualification