National Semiconductor Corp on Monday introduced its Powerwise LMX2541 chip, equipped with integrated VCO, the industry’s fully integrated lowest –noise frequency synthesizer.

The new chip features ultra-low-noise delta-sigma fractional-N PLL, voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), divider and output drive and offers advanced features such as programmable output power, digital frequency-shift-keying (FSK) modulation, a FastLock mode with cycle-slip reduction and a low-noise, integrated-input crystal oscillator circuit.

The chip provides less than 2 milli-radians (mrad) root-mean-square (rms) noise at 2.1 GHz and 3.5 mrad rms noise at 3.5 GHz, and well-suited for local oscillator (LO) applications in next-generation base station radio transceivers such as Long-Term Evolution (LTE), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), and multi-standard radios.

It also integrates low-dropout (LDO) regulators and output-driver matching network to provide higher supply noise immunity and more consistent performance, and it has a supply voltage range of 3.15V to 3.45V and device programming is facilitated using a three-wire MICROWIRE(R) bus interface that can operate down to 1.8V.

The LMX2541 is now available on in a 6 mm by 6 mm, 36-pin LLP package at $9.50 each in 1,000-unit quantities. For more information please visit http://www.national.com/pf/LM/LMX2541.html

Electronics Chip