5-Tap Solid-State Delay Line

Delay lines, once used only as last-minute corrections to system timing problems, in recent years have become an indispensable tool in the system designer's tool kit. Designers can use delay lines to precisely adjust clock phase or signal skew between timing-sensitive circuits. System performance can be optimized through careful manipulation of the references used to clock data and control signals, resulting in improved performance in most digital systems, from memory busses to data acquisition. The idea is to improve performance by optimizing signal timing in different areas of a digital system. As system speeds continue to rise, board-level signal timing becomes critical.

The DS1100 5-Tap Solid State Delay Line from Dallas Semiconductor, Dallas, TX, now enables the extremely precise timing adjustments critical to optimum system operation. Older delay lines were trimmed to specifications using laser fuses. The DS1100 instead uses a small EEPROM array. The timing delays are trimmed to specification as individual delay elements; settings are then stored in the array after die are packaged.

The DS1100's architecture and process cut manufacturing steps, reduce power usage (the EEPROM requires only a low supply current), and eliminate the timing shifts that formerly occurred when lasers were used to trim settings before packaging. Delay times in the DS1100 range from 4 to 300 ns, with improved performance over temperature and voltage when compared to the older technology.

Like the earlier DS1000 series, the DS1100 also features five equally spaced taps, or outputs, that reproduce an input logic state after a fixed delay. Although based on new technology, the DS1100 series is backward-compatible with the DS1000 series of parts.

The DS1100 is available in a 5V version, with a 3V in development, and in package options of 8-pin DIP, SOIC, and SOP.

--RM

For more information: Circle 555 - Dallas Semiconductor, or connect directly to their website via the Online Reader Service Program at http://www.1rs.com/009df-555