Si5338
Rev. 0.5
21
Figure 13. Si5338 as a Zero-Delay Buffer/Clock
Generator
3.8.4. Spread Spectrum
To help reduce Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI), the
Si5338 supports spread spectrum modulation. The
output clock frequencies can be modulated to spread
energy across a broader range of frequencies, lowering
system EMI. The Si5338 implements spread spectrum
using its patented MultiSynth technology to achieve
previously unattainable precision in both modulation
rate and spreading magnitude as shown in
Figure 14.Spread spectrum can be applied to any output clock,
any clock frequency, and any spread amount. The
device supports center spread (+/- 0.1% to +/- 5%) and
down spread (- 0.1% to - 5%). In addition, the device
has extensive on-chip voltage regulation such that
power supply variations do not influence the device’s
spread spectrum clock waveforms.
Figure 14. Configurable Spread Spectrum
4. Applications of the Si5338
Because of its flexible architecture, the Si5338 can be
configured to serve several functions in the timing path.
The
following
sections
describe
some
common
applications.
4.1. Free-Running Clock Generator
Using the internal oscillator (Osc) and an inexpensive
external crystal (XTAL), the Si5338 can be configured
as a free-running clock generator for replacing high-end
and long lead time crystal oscillators found on many
printed circuit boards (PCB). Replacing several crystal
oscillators with a single IC solution helps to consolidate
the Bill Of Materials (BOM), reduces the number of
suppliers, and reduces the number of long lead time
components on the PCB. In addition, since crystal
oscillators tend to be the least reliable aspect of many
systems, the overall FIT rate improves with the
elimination of each oscillator.
Up to four independent clock frequencies can be
generated at any rate within its supported frequency
range and with any of supported output types. Features
like frequency increment and decrement, and phase
adjustments
on
a
per
output
basis
provides
unprecedented flexibility for PCB designs.
Figure 15shows the Si5338 configured as a free-running clock
generator.
Figure 15. Si5338 as a Free-Running Clock
Generator
4.2. Synchronous Frequency Translation
In other cases it is useful to generate an output
frequency which is synchronous (or phase locked) to
another clock frequency. The Si5338 is the ideal choice
for
generating
up
to
four
clocks
with
different
frequencies with a fixed phase relationship to an input
reference. Because of its highly precise frequency
synthesis, the Si5338 can generate all four output
frequencies with 0 ppm error to the input reference. The
Si5338
is
an
ideal
choice
for
applications
that
traditionally required multiple stages of frequency
R0
F0
F1
F2
F3
R1
M0
M1
R2
R3
P2
Si5338
Osc
XTAL
PLL
ref
Fin
-80
-70
-60
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10
20
-10%
-8%
-6%
-4%
-2%
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
Relative Frequency
Po
w
e
rSp
e
c
tr
u
m
(d
Bm
)
+/- 0%
+/- 1%
+/- 2.5%
+/- 5%
M0
R0
Osc
Si5338
F0
F1
F2
F3
XTAL
M1
R1
M2
M3
R2
R3
PLL
ref