IC-Mart Your Trusted Source for Clock Drivers & Distribution Chips

(from leading manufacturers)

Global Manufacturers and Representative Models

1. Texas Instruments (TI)

TI offers the broadest product line, from basic buffers to high-performance jitter cleaners.

• LMK Series (Precision Clocking/Jitter Cleaners):
  • Models: LMK04828, LMK04832, LMK03806, LMK00301.
  • Features: High-performance jitter cleaning with multi-channel output. Standard in base stations and medical imaging.
• CDCL/CDCV Series (Clock Buffers):
  • Models: CDCLVP1208 (1:8 LVPECL), CDCLVC1102 (1:2 LVCMOS), CDCV304.
  • Features: Optimized for physical fanout and level translation.
• CDC Series (Dividers & Multipliers):
  • Models: CDCE913 (Programmable PLL), CDCU877 (ZDB for DDR memory).

2. Renesas (Including former IDT products)

Renesas is the “invisible champion” of clocking, especially in the PC and server markets.

• 8P / 8T / 8L Series (Fanout Buffers):
  • Models: 8P34S1204, 8T39S08, 8L30110.
  • Features: Known for ultra-low jitter and high output counts.
• 9DB / 9FG Series (PCIe-Specific):
  • Models: 9DBL0442, 9DBV0841, 9FGL0841.
  • Features: Designed for PCIe Gen1-Gen5 with zero-delay buffering.
• VersaClock Series:
  • Models: 5P49V5901, 5P49V6965.
  • Features: Highly configurable; one chip can replace multiple crystals and buffers.

3. Analog Devices (ADI / Including former Maxim)

ADI focuses on high-performance signal chains, such as sampling clocks for high-speed ADCs/DACs.

• AD95 Series (Distribution & Sync):
  • Models: AD9516-3, AD9528, AD9548.
  • Features: Integrated PLL and VCO with sub-picosecond jitter for communication backbones.
• MAX Series (Translation & Buffering):
  • Models: MAX9371, MAX9320, MAX9315.
  • Features: Expertise in differential logic translation (PECL/LVECL/LVDS).

4. onsemi

Onsemi leads in high-speed logic and traditional ECL series chips.

• NB6L / NB7L Series (Ultra-High Speed):
  • Models: NB6L11, NB7L14, NB7V32M.
  • Features: Supports Giga-Hz frequencies for high-speed backplanes.
• MC10 / MC100 Series (Industry Standard Logic):
  • Models: MC100EP11 (1:2 Buffer), MC100EP33 (Divider).
  • Features: Classic logic chips with extremely high liquidity in global distribution.

5. Skyworks (Including former Silicon Labs clock business)

Skyworks is the leader in jitter attenuation and arbitrary frequency synthesis.

• Si53 Series (Jitter Attenuators/Generators):
  • Models: Si5341, Si5345, Si5324, Si5391.
  • Features: Uses patented DSPLL technology for ultra-low jitter across wide frequency ranges.

Manufacturer Quick Reference Table

Manufacturer	Core Keyword	Model Prefix Reference
TI	Best Overall Capability	LMK, CDCL, CDCE
Renesas	PC/Server Market Dominance	9DB, 5P, 8P
ADI	Sampling & Precision Instruments	AD95, MAX
onsemi	High-Speed Logic & Industry Standards	NB, MC100
Skyworks	Top-Tier Jitter Cleaning (DSPLL)	Si53
Microchip	High-Speed Optical & General Clocking	SY89, PL

Leading Chinese Manufacturers and Models

1. Aura Semiconductor

The domestic leader in high-performance clocking. Their jitter performance competes with global giants.

• Models: Au9110 / Au9122 (Jitter Attenuators), Au9211 (Multi-frequency Gen/Dist), Au9401 (High-speed Buffer).
• Niche: One of the few domestic suppliers offering sub-picosecond jitter solutions for 5G and high-speed networking.

2. Dapu Technology

Dapu provides a complete signal chain, from crystals to clock ICs.

• Models: INS6310A (1:10 Fanout), ACS952x (IEEE 1588 PTP Sync), INS6104 (PCIe Optimized).
• Niche: High stability and significant market share in communication infrastructure.

3. Innotime (Nanjing Shixin)

Specializes in high-performance analog and mixed-signal ICs.

• Models: IN1002 / IN1004 (Low Jitter Fanout), IN15xx Series.
• Niche: Strong focus on “Pin-to-Pin” replacement, allowing upgrades without PCB redesign.

Domestic Model Cross-Reference Table

Function	Domestic Leader	Typical Domestic Model	Global Equivalent
Fanout Buffer	Dapu, Innotime	INS6310A, IN1008	TI CDCLVP1208, Renesas 8P34S
Jitter Attenuator	Aura Semi	Au9110	Skyworks Si5345, TI LMK04828
PCIe Clock Buffer	Dapu, Rytone	INS6104, RTxxxx	Renesas 9DBL / 9FG Series
Frequency Synthesis	Aura, Cyberon	Au9211, GT Series	ADI AD9528, TI CDCE62xx
High-Speed Logic	BMTI	BMTI100EP Series	onsemi MC100EP Series

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Clock Drivers & Distribution Core Tasks

If the original clock signal is a water source, these ICs act as the water management system. Their core tasks include:

• Signal Fanout: Expanding 1 input into 2, 8, or even 24 outputs for multiple chips.
• Signal Driving: Amplifying weak signals to ensure they can travel across the board and drive heavy loads.
• Level Translation: Acting as a translator between voltage standards (e.g., converting single-ended CMOS to differential LVDS).
• Timing/Skew Control: Ensuring all distributed signals arrive at their destinations at the exact same time, with errors managed at the picosecond (10^{-12}s) level.

Application Scenarios

1. 5G Infrastructure: Jitter attenuators filter noise in RRU/BBU data transfers to prevent bit errors at high frequencies.
2. Data Centers: Zero-delay buffers (ZDB) compensate for long trace delays in PCIe 5.0/6.0 and DDR5 memory systems.
3. Medical Imaging: Ensures hundreds of sensors in MRI or Ultrasound machines trigger in the same nanosecond for clear image synthesis.
4. Industrial Automation: Controls multiple motors in robotic arms to work in perfect synchronization via a shared clock frequency.
5. High-end Audio/Video: Provides pure signals to DACs to eliminate audible noise caused by clock jitter.

Why Use Specialized ICs Instead of Wires?

In high-speed B2B industrial designs, simple wire connections fail due to:

• Reflection & Distortion: Signals “bounce” back, deforming the waveform.
• Insufficient Drive: A single source cannot power multiple chips, causing voltage drops and system crashes.
• Skew: Signals arrive at different times, leading to synchronization failure.

Feature & Value Summary

Feature	Value Delivered
Low Jitter	Higher data rates, lower bit error rates
Multi-Output	Simplified PCB design, lower BOM cost (fewer crystals)
Universal Support	Better compatibility across different chip brands

Functional Classification Breakdown

1. Clock Buffers (Fanout Buffers)

Logic: Increase the number of outputs without changing the frequency.

• Models: CDCLVP1208, 8P34S1208, NB6L11.
• Vendors: TI, Renesas, onsemi, Microchip.

2. Clock Dividers & Multipliers

Logic: Use PLLs or logic to scale frequency up or down.

• Models: MC100EP32 (÷2), SY89202U, NB7L32M.
• Vendors: onsemi, Microchip, ADI.

3. Zero Delay Buffers (ZDB)

Logic: Use PLL feedback to eliminate internal propagation delay for “absolute sync”.

• Models: CY2305, 9DBL0442, LMK01000.
• Vendors: Infineon, Renesas, TI.

4. Level Translators

Logic: Resolve protocol mismatches (e.g., CMOS to LVDS) between chips.

• Models: DS90LV011, MAX9372, LMK00301.
• Vendors: ADI, TI, Diodes Inc.

5. Jitter Attenuators / Cleaners

Logic: Use high-performance PLLs to filter phase noise.

• Models: Si5345, LMK04828, 854S202I.
• Vendors: Skyworks, TI, Renesas.