Fully Integrated 1Gbps Pin Electronics Solution for high-performance system on chip (SoC), memory, and other testers

The E8400 supports both single-ended and fully differential drive and receive modes. In differential drive mode, precise complementary signals are created from adjacent channels on the chip. These signals are optimized to ensure less than 50ps of crossing point error for world-class timing accuracy. In differential receive mode, window comparators are configured to allow for a simple method of testing the differential signals common on many of today’s most advanced electronic devices.

The E8400 is capable of creating single-ended or differential signals with voltage swings as small as 50mV and up to 8V over a -2V to +7V possible common mode range. The small swing performance of the driver is world-class and allows for testing of next generation devices with sub-LVDS logic swings.

In addition to a world-class driver and receiver, each channel of the E8400 features an extremely fast settling, 4-range PMU with a 16-bit ADC for best-in-industry system throughput and lowest cost of test. The PMU also features a Thevenin load function for terminating logic signals. The extremely low power dissipation of the entire E8400 solution allows it to be used in high density applications without the need for costly and exotic thermal management solutions.

The E8400 is designed to be a robust, best-in-class, pin electronics solution and, as such, it offers digitally configurable driver and PMU over-current protection, combined with on-chip ESD protection that is rated in excess of 2kV human body model (HBM).

The E8400 is the first member in Semtech’s pin-compatible and scaleable “Cobalt” pin electronics family of solutions that will span higher performance ranges and have additional features. Semtech offers a development system complete with a simple graphical user environment that can be used for rapid platform development and faster time to market.

“The E8400 is architected the same way that ATE pin-channels are presently implemented on PCBs in the best systems on the market today,” said Tim Wilhelm, Director of Marketing for Semtech’s Test & Measurement Division. “This allows ATE designers to create new, high density systems with a proven architecture and reduced overall system power with a faster time to market.”

The E8400 is sampling now with production volumes scheduled for availability in December 2006. The order code for the part is E8400ALPT which is priced at $55.56 each in 1,000 piece lots. The Development System has two E8400ALPT devices on-board, and is available using order code E8400DEVSYS.