NXP Semiconductors MPC9230AC

Overview

MPC9230AC from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) is a 3.3 V, SiGe-based PLL clock synthesizer with differential LVPECL outputs, supporting 50–750 MHz output frequencies across –40°C to +85°C ambient range and featuring on-chip crystal oscillator, serial/parallel programming interfaces, and integrated 9-bit M-divider and 2-bit N-divider. It serves as a high-stability timing source in telecom line cards and Ethernet switch PHY clock trees.

For engineers reviewing the MPC9230AC datasheet, MPC9230AC pinout, MPC9230AC application, or MPC9230AC equivalent, key selection criteria include its 800–1500 MHz VCO range at industrial temperature, LVCMOS-compatible control inputs, dual reference options (XTAL or FREF_EXT), PECL output termination at VCC – 2.0 V, and support for sub-100 ps cycle-to-cycle jitter at N = 1 configuration.

Technical Context

The MPC9230AC implements a fully integrated PLL architecture where the crystal input (10–20 MHz) is divided by 16 before phase comparison; the VCO operates from 800–1500 MHz (–40°C to +85°C), and its output is scaled by programmable post-divider N (1, 2, 4, or 8) to yield final output frequencies. The feedback path is internal, and M-divider values (160–400 typical) must satisfy fVCO = fXTAL × M ÷ 4 to ensure lock stability.

It features separate analog (VCC_PLL) and digital (VCC) power domains to minimize noise coupling into the PLL core, supports both serial (14-bit shift register, S_LOAD/S_CLOCK/S_DATA) and parallel (M[8:0], N[1:0], P_LOAD) configuration, and includes an LVCMOS TEST output controlled via T[2:0] bits-active TEST signals degrade PECL jitter performance and must remain static during normal operation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 32-lead LQFP (Pb-free, AC suffix), Case 873A-04; body size 7.0 mm × 7.0 mm, 0.5 mm pitch, exposed thermal pad.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar clock synthesizer applications.

Compared with MC12430 and ICS853S01I, the MPC9230AC uniquely combines industrial temperature support, integrated crystal oscillator, programmable M/N synthesis, and LVPECL outputs-making it the sole option among the three for self-contained, wide-range telecom clock generation.

Availability

MPC9230AC is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for telecom infrastructure, Ethernet switching, optical transport equipment, and industrial control systems requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for MPC9230AC 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

NXP Semiconductors is a global semiconductor leader focused on secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and communications markets, with deep heritage in high-performance analog and mixed-signal timing devices.

The MPC9230AC belongs to NXP's Advanced Clock Drivers family, designed specifically for low-jitter, high-frequency clock synthesis in carrier-grade networking and computing systems where signal integrity and thermal robustness are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum guaranteed output frequency of the MPC9230AC over its full operating temperature range?

The MPC9230AC guarantees up to 750 MHz output frequency when N = 1 and ambient temperature is –40°C to +85°C, as confirmed in Table 9 of the datasheet. This is lower than the 800 MHz maximum specified for 0°C to +70°C operation due to VCO frequency derating to 1500 MHz at industrial temperatures. The device achieves this using the formula FOUT = (fXTAL ÷ 8) × M ÷ N with appropriate M-divider selection.

Does the MPC9230AC require an external crystal, and what are the key specifications for compatible crystals?

Yes, the MPC9230AC requires an external fundamental AT-cut series-resonant crystal (10–20 MHz) connected to XTAL_IN/XTAL_OUT. Per Table 14, recommended specs include ±75 ppm tolerance at 25°C, shunt capacitance of 5–7 pF, ESR ≤80 Ω, and aging ≤5 ppm/year. Parallel-resonant crystals may be used but will oscillate ~few hundred ppm low due to mode mismatch.

How does the MPC9230AC handle power supply noise, and what filtering is recommended for VCC_PLL?

The MPC9230AC uses separate VCC_PLL and VCC supplies to isolate analog PLL circuitry from digital noise. For VCC_PLL, Freescale recommends an RC filter: 10–15 Ω resistor in series with 22 µF bulk capacitor, plus 0.01–0.1 µF ceramic capacitors near the pin. This targets 1 kHz–1 MHz noise attenuation while maintaining ≥2.835 V under 20 mA max load.

Can the TEST pin be used as a functional clock output, and what impact does it have on jitter performance?

The TEST pin is strictly for diagnosis-not functional clocking. When active (e.g., T[2:0] = 100 for FOUT mirroring), it degrades PECL output jitter because the LVCMOS driver couples noise into the sensitive analog PLL domain. Datasheet specifies that jitter guarantees apply only when TEST is static; using it as a clock source violates spec and risks link-level timing failures in high-speed applications.

What are the valid configurations for the N-divider, and how do they affect output duty cycle and frequency resolution?

The N-divider supports four ratios: 1, 2, 4, and 8 (encoded on N[1:0]). All deliver 45–55% duty cycle at FOUT due to internal post-division logic. Frequency resolution scales inversely with N: for fXTAL = 16 MHz, step size is 2 MHz (N = 1), 1 MHz (N = 2), 500 kHz (N = 4), or 250 kHz (N = 8). Higher N enables finer granularity but reduces max output frequency proportionally.