TimeLab Corporation has debuted the first in a new family of
digital timing products. Using a proprietary technology designed to
replace traditional analog Phase-Locked Loop (PLL)-based chips and
crystals, TimeLab's Timing Processor Units (TPUs) integrate
multiple independent synthesizers on a single chip to allow designers to
precisely control and dynamically adjust clock frequencies to each
subsystem's requirements without interrupting CPU execution. This
revolutionary capability offers notebook and high-performance desktop PC
designers a new opportunity to optimize system power and performance,
reduce heat generation and EMI, and drive down system cost.
"Providing designers with precise control over system
frequencies unleashes tremendous system-level benefits that just
aren't possible with PLL-based timing chips due to their inherent
instability and inflexibility," said Carlos Bielicki, TimeLab
president and CEO. "By moving system clocking from the analog to
the digital domain, our TPU and software offers designers the ability to
precisely and independently control clock frequencies for PC peripherals
to extend battery life or attain peak system performance. We have
demonstrated that this capability cuts at least 30% of the silicon power
budget in PCs and provides the highest observed overclocking
performance."
Precise Frequency Control
Timelab's TotalClock solution combines a highly integrated TPU
with associated timing control software. The centerpiece of this new
technology is a free-running ring oscillator. While an analog PLL
controls an oscillator's operating frequency, TotalC lock TPUs
measure the operating frequency of the oscillator and uses the
measurement to create precise digital waveforms.
Fabricated in a highly cost-effective, mainstream CMOS process, the
TotalClock TPU integrates multiple high resolution, digital waveform
synthesizers on a single chip to produce independently controlled clock
outputs. Unlike traditional PLL-based des igns, these synthesizers can
operate at frequencies in excess of 400 MHz with resolution as fine as 1
kHz. Moreover, they can be precisely adjusted to any new frequency in
under a microsecond.
The TotalClock solution enables system designers to synchronize the
slewing of multiple clocks across multiple frequencies simultaneously to
reduce power consumption and increase overclocking performance. The same
precision is applied to spread spect rum implementations which help
minimize EMI and eliminate overshoot and undershoot. This new product
family exceeds PC industry timing standards, providing the clock
frequencies required for PCI Express, CPU, SATA (Serial ATA), PCI, USB,
Ethernet and Audio/Video interfaces.
TimeLab's technology is a new approach to system timing that
offers dramatic benefits in the design of both notebook and desktop PCs.
Digital precision and software optimization of clock frequency reduces
power consumption and extends battery life in portable systems. Improved
overclocking and reduced EMI maximizes system performance in desktop
systems. Similarly, more precise frequency control minimizes heat
generation and improves system operation and reliability.
"TimeLab's TotalClock TPUs and software are the most
significant innovations in PC clocking that I've seen in a long
time," said Nelson Lee, product marketing director at Silicon
Integrated Systems Corp. "TimeLab's TotalClock solution
provides a major step toward achieving All-Day Mobile Computing."
Price and Availability
TimeLab's TotalClock TPU is currently sampling. The TLC2801
for desktops will sell for less than $2.50 in 10K quantities, while the
TLC2811 for notebooks will sell for less than $3.50 in 10K quantities.
About TimeLab Corporation
Founded in 2001, Timelab develops and suppies semiconductor and
software solutions that provide unprecedented system level benefits by
solving timing and synchronization problems. TimeLab's products
offer a number of major benefits including extended battery life,
increased performance, lower EMI, and reduced bill-of-materials costs.
TimeLab Corporation can be found on the World Wide Web at
http://www.timelabcorp.com/.
For more information, call 978/794-6687.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Worldwide
Videotex Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
Copyright 2005, Gale Group. All rights
reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.
NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.