Silicon Labs adds ‘SmartClock’ features to automotive clock generators

Silicon Labs has added new SmartClock features to its family of AEC-Q100-qualified Si5332-AM clock generators for automotive timing. The SmartClock technology actively monitors reference clocks to detect potential faults and provides built-in clock redundancy, said the company.

As timing requirements become more complex in automotive applications, the number of precision clocks needed also continues to increase, said Silicon Labs. These new features help to address the complex timing challenges around new electronics systems such as automotive networking , advanced driver assistance systems, automated driving, and IVI/digital cockpit electronic designs.

Here’s how it works: If a fault condition is detected, SmartClock shares this information with an external system microcontroller or system safety manager, which then instructs the Si5332-AM to switch to a redundant backup source to ensure that the system continues to operate safely.

The new portfolio includes:

• SmartClock customizable features in the Si5332-AM clock generator family. These features can be enabled using Silicon Labs ClockBuilder Pro configuration software.  Click here for the datasheet.
• A standalone Si5118-AM SmartClock synthesizer
• A 12-output version of the Si5332-AM clock generator
• A 10-output version of the Si53350-AM buffer

In applications where health monitoring of only a single frequency is needed, the new Si5118-AM SmartClock synthesizer can be implemented between the reference clock source and endpoint, said Silicon Labs.