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Welcome to the Crystal Oscillator Professor

This blog is about the nuts and bolts of time and frequency control, and especially about the details of crystal oscillators, which are particularly fascinating devices. This blog will explore how timing systems using crystal oscillators work, and how to use, specify and troubleshoot crystal oscillators, as well as tracking and discussing the exciting new developments in the field.

Oranges, Apples and Cherries in Timing Oscillator Noise Specs

There’s a popular saying that goes, “lies, damned lies and statistics.” While this statement is perhaps a bit strong to apply to the inconsistencies of engineering specifications, when dealing with oscillator noise specs, there is an issue of comparing oranges, apples and cherries. An important part of engineering design is delivering the required performance for the application at the least cost. The emergence of MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System) oscillators has enabled dramatic cost reductions in many digital consumer and commercial products. But in many high-performance applications, there’s no replacement for quartz oscillators. When it comes to specifying and measuring phase noise and…

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The Professor Talks About the Importance of Timing in Advanced Embedded Systems

Quartz is relatively abundant in nature and easy to grow in a very pure form. What sets it apart from other piezoelectric crystals is that it can be made to vibrate in very controlled and stable ways. Thus, a properly fashioned quartz resonator can act as an ultra-stable mechanical frequency source that can be coupled to an electronic oscillator circuit.

Continue Reading The Professor Talks About the Importance of Timing in Advanced Embedded Systems

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White Paper Maps Out Spacescape Challenges in XO Selection

This informative white paper describes how the regions of the spacescape from low-earth orbit to deep space affect the selection of crystal oscillators. Subscribe to The Crystal Professor blog and we'll send you a free copy.