Clock/Timing - Clock Buffers, Drivers

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
CDCLVC1102PWR Texas Instruments	IC CLK BUFFER 1:2 250MHZ 8TSSOP	0
5PB1108CMGI Renesas Electronics America	IC CLOCK BUFFER 1:8 16QFN	0
CDC3S04YFFR Texas Instruments	IC CLK BUFFER 1:4 52MHZ 20DSBGA	2769
8SLVP2102ANLGI8 Renesas Electronics America	IC CLK BUFFER 1:2 2GHZ 40QFN	0
SY89112UMY-TR Roving Networks / Microchip Technology	IC CLK BUFFER 2:12 3GHZ 44MLF	121
8T39S08ANLGI Renesas Electronics America	NETWORK TIMING	0
CY29947AC	LOW SKEW CLOCK DRIVER	973
CY2SSTV857ZC-27	PLL BASED CLOCK DRIVER, SSTV SER	122
CDC2351DBR Texas Instruments	CDC2351 1-LINE TO 10-LINE CLOCK	63369
CDC303DR Texas Instruments	LOW SKEW CLOCK DRIVER	2500
853S012AKILFT Renesas Electronics America	VFQFPN 5.00X5.00X0.90 MM, 0.50MM	0
NB6N11SMNG Sanyo Semiconductor/ON Semiconductor	IC CLK BUFFER 1:2 2GHZ 16QFN	491
NB7L111MMNR2G	LOW SKEW CLOCK DRIVER	25
SI53305-B-GMR Silicon Labs	IC TRANSLATOR BUFF/LEVEL 44QFN	37
8SLVP2104ANLGI Renesas Electronics America	VFQFPN 6.00X6.00X0.85 MM, 0.65MM	0
NB7V33MMNTXG Sanyo Semiconductor/ON Semiconductor	IC CLK DIVIDER 1:1 10GHZ 16QFN	0
ZL40209LDG1 Roving Networks / Microchip Technology	IC CLK BUFF MUX 2:6 750MHZ 32QFN	0
PI6C4911506LIE Zetex Semiconductors (Diodes Inc.)	IC CLOCK BUFFER 1:6 20TSSOP	0
8SLVP1102ANLGI/W Renesas Electronics America	IC CLK BUFFER 1:2 2GHZ 16QFN	0
SY89846UMG-TR Roving Networks / Microchip Technology	IC CLK BUFFER 2:5 2GHZ 32MLF	734

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