The Si5348 clock enables hardware designers to implement a "clock-tree-on-a-chip" solution for Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE), IEEE 1588v2 and general-purpose frequency translation for wireless and telecom infrastructure, broadband networks (e.g., G.fast DSL and PON) and data centre applications.
SyncE and IEEE 1588 have become increasingly popular methods to deliver synchronisation over packet networks and as these technologies have become more widespread, networking equipment designers require more flexible timing solutions that can be integrated into existing hardware architectures. Conventional network synchroniser clocks rely on rigid synchronisation clock chip architectures that borrow heavily from legacy Stratum 3 clock ICs, which are not optimised for size, power or performance.
The Si5348 clock is 50 percent smaller, uses 35 percent less power and provides 80 percent lower jitter than conventional synchronisers, according to Silicon Labss, and helps hardware designers to simplify the adoption of packet network synchronisation without having to compromise system-level performance.
The Si5348 is fully compliant with IEEE 1588, SyncE and Stratum 3 clocking requirements, which means that the device can be used in a wide variety of timing card and line card clock architectures.
"Networks are transitioning from circuit-switched to packet-switched systems to increase efficiency, flexibility and cost effectiveness, and as SyncE and IEEE 1588 become more widely adopted, equipment makers are looking for solutions that minimize the cost and complexity of adding packet network synchronisation to a design," said James Wilson, marketing director for Silicon Labs' timing products.
In packet timing applications, high-stability oscillators play a critical role in defining the network's overall performance and network topologies will often dictate the type of temperature-controlled crystal oscillator (TCXO) or oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) required at each node in the network. The Si5348 clock supports a universal reference input port, enabling the device to be paired with any frequency TCXO/OCXO.
As part of the Si5348 product development, Silicon Labs has partnered with Rakon to deliver a combined solution that can be used across a broad variety of SyncE and IEEE 1588 applications.
