Clock/Timing - Clock Buffers, Drivers

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
5V2305NRGI Renesas Electronics America	IC CLK BUF 1:5 200MHZ 16VFQFPN	0
CY29942AXCT IR (Infineon Technologies)	LOW SKEW CLOCK DRIVER	4250
NB3F8L3005CMNTXG	LOW SKEW CLOCK DRIVER, PQCC24	2702
NB6L11MMNG Sanyo Semiconductor/ON Semiconductor	IC CLK BUFFER 1:2 4GHZ 16QFN	0
SY89833ALMG Roving Networks / Microchip Technology	IC CLK BUFFER 1:4 2GHZ 16MLF	147
PI49FCT3807BQE-1507 Zetex Semiconductors (Diodes Inc.)	CLOCK BUFFER QSOP-20	0
CY29774AI	PLL BASED CLOCK DRIVER	0
PI6C49X0210ZHIEX Zetex Semiconductors (Diodes Inc.)	IC CLOCK BUFF 3:10 200MHZ 32TQFN	0
853S011BGILF Renesas Electronics America	IC CLK BUFFER 1:2 2.5GHZ 8TSSOP	4458
LMH2180TMX/NOPB Texas Instruments	LMH2180 75 MHZ DUAL CLOCK BUFFER	25879
854105AGLF Flip Electronics	LOW SKEW CLOCK DRIVER, 854104 SE	3076
QS52806ATQ	LOW SKEW CLOCK DRIVER/BUFFER	1946
83940DYI-01LF Renesas Electronics America	IC CLK BUFFER 2:18 250MHZ 32TQFP	45
SI5330M-B00232-GM Silicon Labs	IC CLK BUFFER 1:4 HCSL 24QFN	0
8SLVD2104NBGI Renesas Electronics America	NETWORK TIMING	0
ZL40225LDF1 Roving Networks / Microchip Technology	IC CLK BUFF MUX 2:8 750MHZ 32QFN	0
MC100EL13DW	LOW SKEW CLOCK DRIVER	7723
SI5330L-B00229-GM Silicon Labs	IC CLK BUFFER 1:4 LVDS 24QFN	0
854S204BGILF Flip Electronics	LOW SKEW CLOCK DRIVER, 854 SERIE	0
ZL40210LDF1 Roving Networks / Microchip Technology	IC CLK BUFF MUX 2:8 750MHZ 32QFN	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