learn more

PulseCore First to Offer Spread Spectrum EMI Reduction for USB

Unique New Architecture Conforms to Precise USB Timing Constraints

CAMPBELL, CA – April 2, 2008 – PulseCore Semiconductor, the EMI Experts, today announced that its USB 2.0 Peak EMI Reduction IC is the first Spread Spectrum technology to achieve USB compliance. As a result, designers and systems engineers now have the option of using Spread Spectrum clocking to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) in USB devices

PulseCore's patent-pending USB 2.0 Peak EMI Reduction IC - PCS3P73U00A - greatly simplifies EMI reduction while reducing or eliminating the need for expensive metal shielding, ferrite beads, conductive paint, filtering networks and other costly, space-consuming alternatives.

“ Testing in our labs has shown PulseCore's new USB 2.0 Peak EMI Reduction IC to be an affordable alternative to the measures we’ve been using to date,” said George Chu, EMI team manager at Compal Electronics. “It's great to see a fresh approach to the mission critical problem of EMI and its effect on design performance and delivery.”

EMI is a growing problem as devices become smaller, faster, and equipped with high-resolution LCD displays. Today’s state of the art in EMI reduction is Spread Spectrum clocking, so called because it slowly varies, or “spreads,” the frequency of a central timing device, such as a PLL clock, over a “spectrum” of frequencies. The resulting diffusion of electromagnetic pulses — which would otherwise be concentrated in a single frequency — reduces the peak power of the signal and thus helps ensure FCC compliance.

Until now, however, Spread Spectrum clocking was thought to be impossible in USB devices because of the exceptionally tight timing and frequency domain limits imposed by USB compliance standards and tests. PulseCore’s patent pending USB 2.0 Peak EMI Reduction IC overcomes these obstacles through extremely fine Spread Spectrum granularity and control. This enables Spread Spectrum technology for the first time to be used to reduce EMI emissions in USB devices, while adhering to the strict parameters of the USB compliance templates.

“PC Motherboards typically incorporate Spread Spectrum on six or more different clocks — but not on the USB clock,” said Steve Kao, Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Marketing at PulseCore. “USB 2.0 Peak EMI Reduction for the first time allows USB system designers the superior option of reducing EMI through Spread Spectrum clocking.”

USB currently has an installed base in the billions of ports, and is ubiquitous in virtually all types of digital devices, from PCs to cell phones to digital cameras. PulseCore's breakthrough in Spread Spectrum clocking for USB devices will ensure that this market continues to expand, without requiring designers to compromise on performance, reliability or affordability.

Audix, an EMC/EMI certification lab in Taiwan, has tested PulseCore's technology and their General Manager, Jeff Chen said, “Companies developing USB devices can be confident in the performance and reduced emissions provided by PulseCore's spread spectrum technology.”

Specifications & Availability
The PCS3P73U00A operates from a 3.3V/2.5V supply and is available in an 8 pin TSSOP, SOIC and TDFN (2x2) COL packages over a commercial temperature range. USB 2.0 Peak EMI Reduction IC samples are available now upon request. Pricing is based on volume with quantities of 3,000 at .95/IC. For more detailed product information, please visit www.pulsecoresemi.com.

About PulseCore – The EMI Experts
PulseCore Semiconductor, a privately-held company, is a leading provider of standard and custom high-speed and low-power analog and mixed-signal silicon solutions for EMI reduction, clocking, power management and system monitoring. PulseCore’s founding team invented the first spread-spectrum EMI reduction device, and a legacy of innovation continues to drive PulseCore’s leadership in both standard and custom high-performance Integrated Circuits (ICs). With unique and powerful solutions for OEMs developing digital consumer, PC peripheral and datacom/ telecom devices, PulseCore has a proven track record in the marketplace, with its technology found in more than 75 million end products worldwide.

The company is headquartered in Campbell, California and has offices in Bangalore, India and Taipei, Taiwan.

###