Epson develops unique wide-amplitude LVDS output for crystal oscillators
Date: 06/02/2024
To meet high-frequency timing signal requirements of 5G and 6G communication equipments, frequency device expert Seiko Epson announced development of new differential output scheme for crystal oscillators called wide amplitude low-voltage differential signaling (WA-LVDS)offering flexible selection of output best suited to the amplitude level required by a semiconductor SoC or ASIC or any such LSI chip.
Epson Says though general-purpose differential outputs such as LVDS, LV-PECL, and HCSL support devices working at high data speeds such as 5G, however in recent years the higher performance required of communication equipment has meant that circuits are now being engineered to receive the optimal differential output for LSI chips used in communication equipment. As a result, general-purpose differential output cannot be used in a growing number of cases. Accordingly, the demand for differential outputs suitable for LSI chips is expected to grow even stronger in the future.
Existing LVDS with general-purpose differential output has lower current consumption than LV-PECL and HCSL. On the other hand, however, it also has lower amplitude and thus less noise immunity. To address this issue, Epson developed WA-LVDS, a differential output with selectable amplitude levels that can be used flexibly. WA-LVDS increases noise immunity by making it possible to easily obtain high amplitude. It also offers lower current consumption than LV-PECL and HCSL.
Epson further explains in its design note "WA-LVDS maintains the simplicity of the LVDS load connection, and provides flexibility to the offset voltage and signal amplitude. The offset voltage level and amplitude can be selected from four levels and ten levels, respectively (details will be described later). Therefore, in many cases, you can connect the clock directly to your LSI without the need for extra components. Of course, AC coupling with capacitors is also possible. If you choose large amplitude, current consumption increases but lower phase noise is expected. WA-LVDS is applicable for both systems which are oriented in low consumption and low noise. Another advantage of WA-LVDS is that it has higher PSNR (Power Supply Noise Rejection) performance than LVDS."
WA-LVDS technology based devices are commercially expected to be available by Epson in the year of 2025.
Picture and News Source: Epson
