e2v and Peregrine Semiconductor introduce new ultra-low phase noise PLL

e2v, a global leader in the high-reliability semiconductor market, and Peregrine Semiconductor Corp., founder of RF SOI (silicon on insulator) and pioneer of advanced RF solutions, introduce the PE97640, an ultra-low phase noise FRAC-N phase-locked loop (PLL) for commercial space applications. Available exclusively through e2v, the PE97640 is the first new space product since e2v and Peregrine signed a strategic reseller agreement in February. Built on Peregrine’s radiation-tolerant UltraCMOS® technology, the PE97640 will be manufactured and qualified by e2v.

“Today’s launch of the PE97640 is evidence of our successful engagement with e2v,” says David Buhaenko, director of HPA product development engineering at Peregrine Semiconductor. “Our strategic agreement took a phased implementation approach, and I am delighted to report we are ahead of schedule. By aligning the strengths of both organizations, we are accelerating new product introductions for UltraCMOS high-reliability space products, like the PE97640.”

Designed for commercial applications and capable of performing in harsh space conditions for over ten years, the PE97640 is naturally radiation tolerant and immune to single-event latch-up (SEL), which can occur in space and cause severe damage. This PLL utilizes a low power consumption of 75 milliamperes at 2.7V, enabling RF system engineers to better allocate power resources.

Bruce Holcombe, e2v’s Peregrine product line manager, commented, “Our customers trust the high reliability of Peregrine’s UltraCMOS® space products, and this new PLL provides increased signal precision and frequency stability. Manufacturing the PE97640 on behalf of Peregrine also allows e2v to offer an even broader range of signal-processing solutions to the space market.”

The PE97640 has a FRAC-N frequency synthesizer that generates multiple output frequencies from a single reference input frequency. The divided-down output then enables reference and phase detection at a lower frequency, handling both frequency and phase lock. With superior phase noise performance, the PE97640 offers RF engineers high signal precision, solid frequency stability and boasts significant performance specifications with both 5/6 and 10/11 prescalers: