SiTime unveils ADAS MEMS oscillator

Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are integrating ever more sensors and cameras, and the resulting data must be reliably transmitted at high speeds even under extreme conditions. ADAS computers must be able to deliver timely, safe, and reliable decisions, especially as Level 4 (high driving automation) and Level 5 (full driving automation) take hold. Addressing these challenges, SiTime Corporation has unveiled a new MEMS-based automotive differential oscillator family, the SiT9396 and SiT9397 that is 10× more resilient and ensures reliable operation of ADAS in extreme road conditions and temperatures.

Source: (SiTime)

According to SiTime, the AEC-Q100 qualified, ultra-low jitter SiT9396/7 oscillators deliver the most stable timing even in shock, vibration, high heat, rapid thermal transients, and power supply noise conditions. In addition to ADAS computers, applications for the oscillators include electronic control units, collision detection devices, in-vehicle 1040/100 Gbits/s Ethernet, infotainment systems, LiDAR, and radar.

Timing is central to all high-speed communications. For the ADAS vehicle, made up of multiple computers and gateways and connected by high-speed networks, reliability is paramount. Legacy timing technology represents a weak link, and quartz-based legacy devices lack sufficient reliability, are susceptible to vibration and thermal shock, degrade at extreme temperatures, and have a shorter life span, said SiTime. In comparison, SiTime’s silicon MEM-based precision timing solutions are more robust and perform in temperatures up to 125°C, no matter the road conditions, added the company.

Precision timing is a critical component for safety as a greater number of cars are equipped with ADAS technology, said Piyush Sevalia, executive vice president of marketing at SiTime, in a statement.

Key capabilities include:

• AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified differential oscillators feature a temperature range of-40°C to 125°C. Grade 2 and 3 are also available.
• 150 fs typical phase jitter
• ±30 ppm stability (contact SiTime for ±25 ppm or better)
• 20× better vibration sensitivity
• 0 × 1.6 mm form factor
• Flexible programmable features: 1 MHz to 920 MHz, 1.8 V to 3.63 V
• 1 billion hours mean time between failures (MTBF)
• Differential output drivers include LVPECL, LVDS, HCSL, and low-power HCSL, and FlexSwing signaling options

The SiT9396/7 can also be factory programmed for specific combinations of frequency, stability, output signaling, voltage, and output-enable functionality. Programmability enables designers to qualify their device once and use it for different applications. The long lead times and customization costs associated with quartz devices where each combination is custom built are eliminated with silicon MEMs technology devices, said the company.

Samples of the SiT9396/7 differential oscillators are available now. Volume production is expected in the second quarter of 2023.