A quartz oscillator (also known as a crystal oscillator) has been the reference clock of choice in the electronics industry for many decades. Recently, this legacy device has been under attack by a host of clock devices that use a newer, more advanced technology – Silicon MEMS. Here are the Top Five reasons why you should replace your quartz oscillator with a Silicon MEMS device.
1. Higher Performance:
Silicon MEMS oscillators offer higher performance across a wide spectrum of parameters. A quartz oscillator has been optimized for specific parameters – such as phase noise at a particular frequency and operating voltage and does extremely well. Silicon MEMS oscillators not only perform extremely well on these specific parameters – but they also offer high performance other parameters, such as:
a. Stable and reliable startup over temperature (which is an inherent problem in quartz oscillators due to the activity dips of crystals)
b. Full frequency range available at 1.8V, which is not commonly available from quartz devices
c. Oscillator stability as good as 10 PPM, which is not commonly available from quartz devices (MEMS TCXOs offer stability as good as 0.1 PPM)
2. More Features:
Silicon MEMS oscillators offer many more features than a quartz oscillator. Some of these features are listed below
a. Any frequency, up to 6 decimal places of accuracy. This capability is useful for generating higher performance or lower error rates from systems.
b. Drive strength control for better impedance matching, ability to drive multiple loads, or reduced EMI.
c. Thinner packages for thinner electronics.
d. Operation at custom voltages between 2.5V and 3.3V.
3. Better availability:
Production lead times of Silicon MEMS oscillators are 3-5 weeks, while that of a quartz oscillator is 6 – 16 weeks. This reduction of lead time ensures that Silicon MEMS oscillators can reduce inventory and cost of ownership.
4. Better robustness and reliability:
Silicon MEMS oscillators are based on Silicon, and use no quartz. They offer 10 times more robustness (ability to withstand shock and vibration) than quartz oscillators, as well as ten times better reliability.
5. Better cost trajectory:
Silicon MEMS oscillators have a better cost trajectory than quartz oscillators because they are based on Silicon and leverage the semiconductor industry infrastructure.
Learn more about :- differential oscillator , Voltage Controlled Oscillator
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