MEMS Clock-System-on-a-Chip to reshape market

05 August 2020

SiTime Corporation, a leader in MEMS timing, has announced the launch of the Cascade family of MEMS clock ICs for 5G, wireline telecom and datacentre infrastructure.

The SiT9514x clock-system-on-a-chip (ClkSoC) family, consists of clock generators, jitter cleaners, and network synchronizers that are able to deliver multiple clock signals in a system. This family uses SiTime’s recently launched third-generation MEMS resonators that deliver higher performance with lower power.

Communications and enterprise electronics have previously used clock ICs with external quartz references to integrate multiple timing functions and to distribute clock signals. SiTime’s all-silicon clock architecture provides more integration by integrating a MEMS resonator reference inside the package. More importantly, the Cascade clock-system-on-a-chip is able to deliver up to 10 times higher reliability and resilience, enabling the 5G vision of zero downtime.

Either standalone or together with SiTime’s MEMS TCXOs and OCXOs, the SiT9514x is described as a complete timing solution that’s suitable for applications such as 5G RRUs, small cells, edge computers, switches, and routers.

“Our MEMS technology is well suited to solve the difficult timing challenges of emerging 5G infrastructure. This market represents a large growth opportunity for SiTime,” said Rajesh Vashist, CEO of SiTime. “The Cascade family is a natural next step for our timing business, but it also brings us closer to our customers. SiTime’s Cascade devices offer a complete clock-system-on-a-chip, which allows customers to simplify their designs and reduce time to market. As the only provider of MEMS resonators, oscillators, and clock ICs, and delivering system-level benefits to customers, SiTime continues to transform the $8 billion timing market.”