Maxim MAX31C80/MAX31D80 spread-spectrum generators

Maxim has introduced the MAX31C80/MAX31D80 spread-spectrum generators that provide EMI peak-noise reduction.

The devices also offer the designer flexibility to use any clock frequency or crystal to achieve the desired output frequency. The devices use a high-quality, programmable, fractional PLL with low jitter (<75 ns) to provide a 2 to 134 MHz output, regardless of crystal or clock input.

An active, spread-spectrum dither for the EMI noise spread achieves the flattest spread available without typical energy/noise spikes at the edges or centre of the spread range.

The integrated crystal oscillator, buffered oscillator output, programmable fractional PLL and spread-spectrum generator also reduce component count and size. The spread-spectrum output is suitable for driving microprocessors, memory and bus clocking, which generate large EMI peaks at specific frequencies.

They provide a buffered clock-reference output for driving communications where the spread-spectrum output is unacceptable. By combining the crystal oscillator and buffered clock output with the factory-programmable, spread-spectrum output, these clock generators are said to be the only clocking device that many systems need.