Semtech Corporation GS4882-CKAE3

Overview

GS4882-CKAE3 from Gennum is a precision video sync separator IC designed to extract timing signals from NTSC, PAL, and SECAM composite video inputs. It delivers noise-immune composite sync, vertical sync, back porch, and odd/even field outputs with ±5ns temperature stability over 0°C to 70°C, 50% sync slicing accuracy (45–55%), and operation on +4.5V to +13.2V supply. It is used in broadcast monitors, professional video switchers, and legacy analog video processing systems.

For engineers reviewing the GS4882-CKAE3 datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection considerations include its 8-pin SOIC package, Pb-free/Green compliance, RSET-based timing calibration (227kΩ for NTSC), robust signal detection with 2.5ms probation period, and absence of horizontal sync output (distinguishing it from GS4982).

Technical Context

The GS4882-CKAE3 implements a dual-mode input clamp (Hard/Soft) to maintain 50% sync slicing level accuracy within ±5%, using a 1.55V sync tip clamp voltage and internal color burst filter (>15dB attenuation at 3.58MHz). Its frequency-to-voltage converter validates input signals by comparing horizontal scan rate against 15.7±4kHz reference, enabling automatic mute on loss of valid video.

Timing paths are calibrated via external RSET (Pin 6), setting all internal timing currents; for NTSC, RSET = 227kΩ yields typical composite sync delay of 200ns (±5ns temp drift), back porch delay of 525ns, and vertical pulse width of 197.7μs. Output muting forces all logic outputs to high state after defined probation, re-enabling only after 8 valid video lines.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

GS4882-CKAE3 is housed in an 8-pin SOIC package (JEDEC MS-012AC, 3.9mm width), RoHS-compliant and Pb-free per ordering code suffix E3.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar video sync separation applications.

Compared with GS4882-CKA, GS4882-CKAE3 adds mandatory Pb-free compliance for EU/China RoHS markets without altering electrical behavior; compared with GS4982-CKAE3, it retains composite sync output essential for legacy monitor and switcher designs relying on CSYNC rather than HSYNC.

Availability

GS4882-CKAE3 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for broadcast monitor timing, professional video switcher synchronization, and legacy video test equipment requiring stable component supply with full traceability and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for GS4882-CKAE3 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Gennum Corporation was a Canadian semiconductor company specializing in high-performance analog and mixed-signal ICs for video, communications, and timing applications before its acquisition by Broadcom in 2011.

The GS4882 product line was engineered specifically for precision analog video timing extraction in NTSC/PAL/SECAM systems, emphasizing noise immunity, temperature stability, and minimal external component count in broadcast and professional video infrastructure.

FAQ

What video standards does the GS4882-CKAE3 support?

The GS4882-CKAE3 supports NTSC, PAL, and SECAM composite video standards. Its internal timing architecture-including RSET-calibrated sync slicing, vertical integration, and odd/even field detection-is explicitly validated for all three standards per the November 2009 datasheet. The device extracts composite sync, vertical sync, back porch, and odd/even outputs regardless of standard, with no configuration required. GS4882-CKAE3 achieves this through adaptive clamping and frequency-to-voltage validation tuned to standard horizontal scan rates (e.g., 15.7kHz for NTSC, 15.625kHz for PAL).

Does GS4882-CKAE3 provide horizontal sync output?

No, GS4882-CKAE3 does not provide horizontal sync output. Pin 1 is dedicated to composite sync output. Horizontal sync is available only on the GS4982 variant (e.g., GS4982-CKAE3), where Pin 1 is repurposed for HSYNC. The GS4882-CKAE3 datasheet explicitly states it "generates noise immune and temperature stable composite sync, vertical sync, back porch and odd/even field signals" - omitting horizontal sync. Using GS4882-CKAE3 in an HSYNC-requiring design would necessitate external circuitry or part replacement.

What is the function of the RSET pin (Pin 6) on GS4882-CKAE3?

The RSET pin (Pin 6) on GS4882-CKAE3 sets all internal timing currents, including those governing sync slicing level, color burst filter cutoff, and vertical integration time constants. For standard NTSC operation, a 227kΩ resistor to ground is required; this value differs from earlier Gennum sync separators (e.g., GS4881 uses 680kΩ) to improve jitter performance. Deviation from 227kΩ alters delay values (e.g., composite sync delay shifts from typ. 200ns) and may compromise sync accuracy. The RSET reference voltage is specified as 1.14–1.34V.

How does GS4882-CKAE3 handle loss of valid video input?

GS4882-CKAE3 employs a two-stage signal detection system: first, a frequency-to-voltage converter validates horizontal scan rate (15.7±4kHz for NTSC); second, a probation timer triggers upon deviation. If no valid signal returns within 1.2–5ms (typ. 2.5ms), all outputs mute to logic high. Recovery requires 8 consecutive valid video lines before outputs re-enable. This prevents glitching in unstable sources and ensures downstream logic remains in known state - a key reliability feature confirmed in Section 2.7 of the datasheet.

Is GS4882-CKAE3 pin-compatible with other Gennum sync separators?

GS4882-CKAE3 is pin-compatible with GS4882-CDA (PDIP) and GS4882-CKA (SOIC, non-Pb-free), sharing identical 8-pin SOIC footprint and pin functions. However, it is not pin-compatible with GS4982 variants: although both use 8-pin SOIC, GS4982 routes horizontal sync to Pin 1 instead of composite sync. Substituting GS4882-CKAE3 for GS4982-CKAE3 (or vice versa) without board revision will result in missing or incorrect timing outputs. Package dimensions and thermal characteristics remain identical across GS4882 variants.