New voltage translators from Pericom offer 160Mbps data rate

Pericom Semiconductor Corp. disclosed that it has expanded its translator portfolio with a patented, advanced Universal Level Shifter (ULS) technology that allows customers to use a bi-directional automatic direction sensor for supporting different voltage levels being designed into next-generation applications.

New products from Pericom include the PI4ULS3V16, a 16-bit ULS with an automatic direction sensor; the PI4ULS3V16M, a 16-bit ULS with an automatic direction sensor designed for mobile applications; the PI4ULS3V08, an 8-bit ULS with an automatic direction sensor; and the PI4ULS3V08M, an 8-bit ULS with an automatic direction sensor also designed for mobile applications.

Do you need 16-, 8-bit bus drivers?
The new voltage translators were designed to translate signals with a data rate of up to 160Mbps under industrial temperature conditions. These devices can also drive signals up to 20 inches on either side of the device, depending on the configuration of the select bits. Each port has its own supply voltage which can be set within the range of 1.4V to 3.6V. In addition to providing voltage translation, these new products can also be used as a 16-bit or 8-bit bus driver with 12mA of drive strength per bit.

"Each bit within a product will have its own automatic direction sensing circuitry; thereby each bit can independently translate data from one IC to another without any direction control signals," explained Shaf Rahman, Director of Marketing for Switch and Interface Products. "This means that two ICs can drive a signal simultaneously, as long as they are driving different bits. The implementation of this new advanced technology is accomplished by using two drive strengths per bit along with a bus hold implementation."

Devices named using the letter "M" were developed with an advanced packaging option that makes them suitable for the mobile handset market because of its 3-by-6mm TQFN and TFBGA package sizes. However, these devices are also available in the Pb-free TSSOP packaging option. ESD protection for all the new voltage translators exceeds JESD22.

Free samples, datasheets, IBIS, product presentation, application note and technical support are already available, with full production scheduled to begin next month (August 2005). Pricing is $1.50 in 10,000-unit orders.