Frequency stabilization is very important in most electrical systems. In the intricate realm of electronic systems, ensuring accurate and consistent frequency is paramount. Without a tool to provide this precision, you risk encountering system failures and instability. Check out these value added services to fortify your system’s reliability.
Crystal oscillators commonly serve as the stabilization tool that is needed to produce a quality product. As complete timing circuits, crystal oscillators can be placed into any application that needs stability and instantly provide high quality frequency stabilization along with low jitter and noise.
The secret is in the crystals. Since the quartz crystals can be found and cut to many different packages and sizes, crystal oscillators can be versatile and different to fit the frequency, performance, and stability requirements of the products they are utilized in.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common industries where you will find crystal oscillators supporting the performance of various products:
Automotive
Modern automobile designs are chock full of crystal oscillators across many systems. However, there can be some complications because there are many different standards that are enforced in automobiles, and not all manufacturers adhere to the same ones. So, while the components are crystal oscillators, they can be drastically different from vehicle to vehicle.
The most common standards are the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) 16949, the Automotive Electric Council (AEC)-Q100, and the AEC-Q200. Many different qualifications separate the different standards with the most important factor being temperature. This is because the performance of crystal oscillators is drastically affected by temperature, so the standards reflect the separate needs of separate systems. Automotive grade 1 is the one seen the most, having a temperature range of -40º to 125ºC
As one of the automotive systems that demands the most accuracy, GPS is one of the applications that relies heavily on crystal oscillators in automobiles. It is also one of the easiest to identify the direct performance factors that are affected by direct functions of the crystal oscillator.
| Crystal Oscillator Function | GPS Function |
| Warm-Up Time | Time to first fix (time it takes a GPS to find your location) |
| Power | Mission duration |
| Short-term stability (0.1-100 seconds) | Range measurement accuracy, acceleration tracking, freezing resistance |
| Short-term stability (Up to 15 minutes) | Time to subsequent fix (time it takes a GPS to calculate rapid changes) |
| Phase noise | Tracking and data demodulation |
Consumer Electronics
One of the more widespread applications of crystal oscillators is consumer electronics. These products can include any of the following:
- Mobile devices (cell phones, tablets, eReaders, etc.)
- Wearables
- Televisions
- Cable boxes
- Appliances
- Computers (laptop and desktop)
- Game systems
- And much more.
Crystal oscillators are vital to time keeping and must be used to keep the electrical systems within these devices running accurately and efficiently. For example, a system may have multiple functions that follow after each other:
- Send/receive commands
- Store/send data
- Externally communicate with other devices
The crystal oscillator is the clock signal in these systems that makes sure they operate as expected.
The most popular crystal oscillator in consumer electronics is a TCXO, an acronym for temperature compensated crystal oscillator. These oscillators include a circuit that compensates for the temperature of the crystal housing. These can be designed with different characteristics like mounting types and package sizes as well. The superior performance and reasonable cost of these components point to why TCXO are so popular with consumer electronics manufacturers.
Industrial
Industrial operations rely on crystal oscillators on a daily basis. These components are commonly utilized in the following products and categories, among others as well:
- Sensors
- Communication devices
- Computers
- Equipment
- Modems
- Digital systems
- Disk drives
- Marine applications
The crystal oscillators in industrial applications aren’t too different from those in consumer electronics in that they support the proper function and accuracy of a system. Crystal oscillators create clock signals that allow systems to manage the noise better and maintain stability of the system.
The Versatility and Adaptability of Crystal Oscillators Make Them a Preferred Component in Modern Technology
Without even knowing it, we rely on crystal oscillators for the proper function of many of the systems we utilize daily. As these systems grow, as will the capabilities and possibilities we have from crystal oscillators.
These advancements will lead many engineers and manufacturers to incorporate more crystal oscillators in the systems they are designing and assembling.
The smartest, safest and most efficient way to get the best crystal oscillators is to find a specialist to work with that can gain an understanding of your systems and needs. These components are very unique and are often made to fit into individual circuits. You must consider the needs of your system to ensure the best performance possible.
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