Quartz is the material of choice for stable resonators, as it is one of the few piezoelectric crystals that has very high Q and is also highly anisotropic. Continue reading
Fundamental vs 3rd Overtone
Typically when we talk about crystals, we are referring to crystals using the fundamental vibration mode of AT-cut quartz. Continue reading
Crystal Pullability: Series Vs Parallel Resonant Crystals
The image below is a common diagram implementing a crystal. An even more common question is what is the purpose or function of the capacitors tied onto either terminal of the crystal? Continue reading
Characterizing a Crystal
We often discuss the complex designs that oscillators can achieve, but rarely stop and think about a fundamental component: the quartz crystal. Continue reading
How is it that the impact of vibration on phase noise is defined in ppb/g?
In the world of oscillators specifications get passed around as a form of convenient shorthand and we get so accustomed to the terms used to describe the specifications that we often forget how they got that way. Continue reading
Common Source of Jitter in Oscillators
We are rounding up our Clock Jitter series by taking a look at what external factors can induce jitter in oscillators, and how they can be effectively compensated for. Continue reading
How to Measure Jitter
Continuous advances in high-speed communication and measurement systems require higher levels of performance from system clocks and references. Continue reading
