ICS542MI - 156 MHz 1:2 Clock Buffer | Renesas Electronics
MPN: ICS542MI ✓ ActiveICS542MI Overview
A clock fanout buffer is a timing-device category used to distribute one periodic signal to multiple circuit loads. Clock buffers, sometimes called clock drivers, reproduce a clock with controlled loading, skew, and output characteristics. The ICS542MI combines clock distribution with programmable division, placing it in the hierarchy of clock and timing IC, clock buffer, clock divider, and timing-control semiconductor.
The verified operating limit of 156 MHz supports high-speed digital logic, processor interfaces, communications equipment, and clock-tree distribution. Its 3 V to 5.5 V supply range allows use in both 3.3 V and 5 V systems, while CMOS inputs and three-state CMOS outputs support integration with digital clock domains. The exact divider-selection truth table and enable behavior should be verified against the manufacturer datasheet before implementation.
Renesas describes the ICS542 as a cost-effective way to generate a high-quality divided clock output. One output provides the selected divided frequency, while the other is described as a low-skew divide-by-two output relative to that clock. This arrangement can reduce fanout loading and provide two related clocks to different downstream circuits without requiring multiple separate divider packages.
Typical uses include fanout for digital logic, local clock distribution in communication systems, generation of related clocks for data converters or processors, and systems that need a divided clock alongside a further divided low-skew clock. The 8-SOIC package also makes the ICS542MI suitable for conventional surface-mount PCB layouts where a larger leaded package would be unnecessary.
Designers should use short, impedance-controlled clock traces, provide a clean reference clock, and confirm output-state and division-selection requirements from the datasheet. Because the verified snippets do not provide detailed rise time, output impedance, skew, current, temperature, or pin-level thresholds, those values must not be inferred from the frequency and supply limits. This page distinguishes verified specifications from parameters that require confirmation from the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ICS542MI — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with ICS542MI (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package.
ICS542M
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs UnverifiedContact for price
View Datasheet →ICS542MI Specifications
| Product Type | Clock fanout buffer and divider IC |
| Maximum Input Frequency | 156 MHz |
| Input Logic Type | CMOS |
| Output Logic Type | Three-state CMOS |
| Supply Voltage Range | 3 V to 5.5 V |
| Available Divide Ratios | 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, or 16 |
| Number of Outputs | 2 outputs |
| DigiKey Ratio Description | 1:2 |
| Output Relationship | One output is a low-skew divide-by-two version of the other output |
| Package | 8-SOIC, 0.154 inch body width, 3.90 mm width |
| Mounting Type | Surface mount |
ICS542MI 8-soic, 0.154 inch body width, 3.90 mm width Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ICS542MI (8-soic, 0.154 inch body width, 3.90 mm width package). Pin numbering, functions, and connection diagrams are defined in the manufacturer datasheet. Refer to it for the exact footprint and soldering guidelines.
No detailed pinout data available for ICS542MI.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ICS542MI is suitable for 6 applications: Communications Clock Distribution, Processor and FPGA Local Clocking, Data Converter and Digital Interface Clocking, Test and Measurement Equipment, Industrial Control and Automation, Consumer and Embedded Clock Fanout.
Communications Clock Distribution
The ICS542MI fits communications equipment requiring one reference clock to generate two related outputs at frequencies no higher than 156 MHz. A source clock can be divided by 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, or 16 according to the Renesas Electronics 542 datasheet, while the second output provides a low-skew divide-by-two version of the selected clock. This allows adjacent serializer, transceiver, or controller logic to receive related clocks without adding another divider package. The 3 V to 5.5 V supply range supports 3.3 V and 5 V designs, although engineers must confirm the applicable logic thresholds and output-drive assumptions directly from the manufacturer datasheet.
Recommended
Processor and FPGA Local Clocking
ICS542MI can distribute a divided system reference clock to processor, FPGA, or digital-logic clock inputs when the source frequency is at or below 156 MHz. Its selectable 2-to-16 division ratios provide a way to derive useful operating clocks from a common oscillator, and the second output supplies a further divided, low-skew-related clock. This is useful when multiple domains require related timing rather than unrelated frequencies. The 8-SOIC package preserves a conventional surface-mount footprint, but input- and output-edge specifications should be checked against the actual receiver requirements before relying on this part for high-fanout or phase-sensitive interfaces.
Recommended
Data Converter and Digital Interface Clocking
The ICS542MI is appropriate for data converters, parallel interfaces, and digital signal-processing blocks that need a locally divided clock derived from a shared reference. With input operation up to 156 MHz and selectable division by 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, or 16, the device can produce lower interface or sample-rate-related clocks while preserving a common source relationship. One output can drive the primary block and the other can provide a related low-skew divide-by-two clock. Actual implementation should account for cable or trace length, receiver setup and hold requirements, and the datasheet-defined control levels for the selected division mode.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Equipment
ICS542MI can be used in test and measurement equipment to derive related timing signals for counters, control logic, converters, or trigger systems. Its maximum input frequency of 156 MHz and division choices of 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, or 16 make it suitable for reducing a common reference to a required internal clock. The second output, described by Renesas as a low-skew divide-by-two version of the other output, can provide a second related clock to adjacent instrument blocks. Designers should verify output enable behavior, three-state control requirements, and propagation delay in the manufacturer datasheet before using the two outputs for synchronously sampled measurements.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Automation
Industrial control systems often distribute a common clock to multiple controller, sensing, and communication blocks. ICS542MI supports a 3 V to 5.5 V operating range, accepts clocks through 156 MHz, and supplies two related CMOS outputs with programmable division. That makes it applicable to control boards requiring a divided logic clock rather than a full PLL-based clock generator. The 8-SOIC package is suitable for standard surface-mount assembly. Before deployment, engineers should validate temperature range, clock jitter, output current, and enable sequencing because those detailed values are not present in the supplied distributor excerpts and must be taken from the manufacturer datasheet.
Recommended
Consumer and Embedded Clock Fanout
ICS542MI can reduce clock fanout loading by driving two related outputs from a single input stage in embedded consumer products. The divider options permit a 156 MHz maximum source to be reduced to a lower internal operating clock, while the second output can furnish an additional low-skew divide-by-two-related signal. This can simplify clock routing around a processor, memory interface, or peripheral cluster. Since the verified data does not specify skew, rise time, output current, or standby behavior, the circuit should be validated with receiver timing budgets and the complete Renesas Electronics 542 datasheet before high-volume use.
Recommended
Engineering reference data for ICS542MI — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ICS542M |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Renesas Electronics | Renesas Electronics |
| Package | 8-SOIC | 8-SOIC |
| Product Type | Clock fanout buffer and divider IC | Clock fanout buffer and divider IC |
| Maximum Input Frequency | 156 MHz | 156 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 3 V to 5.5 V | 3 V to 5.5 V |
| Available Divide Ratios | 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, or 16 | 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, or 16 |
| Output Configuration | Two three-state CMOS outputs | Two three-state CMOS outputs |
| DigiKey Ratio Description | 1:2 | 1:2 |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated divided clock and additional low-skew divide-by-two output (vs ICS542M)
- High operating frequency for a compact SOIC timing device (vs ICS542M)
- Wide compatibility with 3.3 V and 5 V CMOS systems (vs ICS542M)
Design Notes
Place the ICS542MI close to the source clock and the receiving clock circuits, and keep clock traces short, continuous, and away from noisy switching nodes. A common source point for the two outputs helps limit branch-length mismatch, while the separate low-skew divide-by-two path should be routed according to the datasheet-defined output relationship. Confirm the physical pin mapping from the official 542 datasheet before laying out the 8-SOIC footprint because the supplied excerpts do not include pin names.
Do not select the division ratio or substitute a clock source until the complete input-to-output delay and output-skew data have been reviewed against the receiving device's setup and hold requirements. The 156 MHz maximum input frequency does not by itself establish system margin. For edge-sensitive interfaces, evaluate the published rise and fall times, output impedance, and load assumptions, and use receiver timing budgets to determine whether an external buffer or series termination is required.
Provide a clean supply and local decoupling close to the ICS542MI, using the capacitance and placement recommendations in the manufacturer datasheet. The verified operating range is 3 V to 5.5 V, but no verified quiescent-current or dynamic-current figures were supplied. Avoid assuming that low switching frequency alone guarantees low supply noise because divide-selection transitions and output-state changes can create dynamic current at the device pins.
Compliance Information
The supplied verified excerpts do not contain explicit RoHS, REACH, AEC-Q100, lead-free, halogen-free, or conflict-minerals statements. Compliance must be confirmed using the current Renesas product page or declaration documentation.
