Clock generator for next-gen Intel server platforms

4th February 2021

Renesas

Lanna Deamer

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Renesas Electronics has announced the availability of the low-jitter 9SQ440 clock generator IC designed for next-generation Intel server platforms used in high performance computing and data centre applications. The latest in a long line of PCIe industry firsts from Renesas, the 9SQ440 is the industry’s first CK440Q-compliant server clock generator. Developed for the Intel CK440Q specification and future Intel Xeon processor requirements, the 9SQ440 provides customers a flexible, robust, and high performance synthesiser to address PCIe Gen5 design challenges.

Customers can combine the newest member of Renesas’ comprehensive portfolio of data centre solutions with the company’s broader lineup of PCIe timing solutions, including PCIe Gen5 clock buffers, and its portfolio of infrastructure power and Smart Power Stage (SPS) devices to address their complete data centre solution needs.

“PCIe clock generators are the heart of PCIe timing and with tighter specification requirements for the latest standard, PCIe Gen5-compliant clock generators like the 9SQ440 provide significant design flexibility and margin for customers,” said Bobby Matinpour, Vice President, Data Centre Business Division at Renesas. “Leveraging our industry-leading timing technology and IP, we are excited to continue bringing industry-first production-qualified devices to market for PCIe Gen5 and beyond with PCIe Gen6-ready devices.”

The 9SQ440 serves as a centralised clock generator for server CPU and PCIe clocks. It features a total of 20 differential outputs as well as jitter performance - less than 50fs RMS of PCIe Gen5 common clock phase jitter - to meet the timing requirements for topologies ranging from simple, single-board 2-socket to complex, modular multi-socket systems.

Key Features of the 9SQ440 Clock Generator

PCIe Gen5 and UPI v2.0-compliant clocks for 32GT/s SerDes
PCIe Gen5 with less than 50fs RMS phase jitter, below specification requirements, to deliver better design margin
7 dedicated 100MHz outputs w/7 OE# pins
3 dedicated 25MHz platform time outputs
1 dedicated 25MHz platform time daisy chain output
9 mux outputs selectable between 100MHz or 25MHz
Supports multiple CPU socket topologies, ranging from a self-contained single socket to modular multi-socket approaches
0%, -0.3% and -0.5% spread spectrum clocking
8x8mm 100-pin dual-row QFN with 0.5mm pitch

Renesas offers a 'one-stop-shop' for compute and cloud timing solutions, offering expertise and products from full-featured system solutions to simple clock building-block devices. The 9SQ440 is available now.