This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Oscillators category on DigiKey.com
Oscillator products are used as frequency/time reference sources, distinguished from crystal products often used for similar purposes by their integration of additional functions for maintenance and stabilization of the resulting output. In minimal form, they consist of a crystal or other resonant element plus functions needed to allow a user to obtain a frequency reference without extensive attention to the operation of the resonant element. More advanced devices integrate temperature compensation or control functions in order to obtain a more stable reference or one capable of selective adjustment.
SelectionCharacteristics
Base Resonator: Indicates the core timing technology the device is built around, determining its overall behavior.
Type: Indicates the style and configuration of the device.
Frequency: The nominal rated frequency the device is specified to produce.
Function: Indicates the presence of a control functionality integrated into the device, and if one is present which control functionality the device has.
Output: Indicates the type of output timing signal the device provides to the rest of the circuit.
Voltage - Supply: Typically represented by a range, this indicates the low and high voltage limits which one can expect standard operation. Voltages outside this range may damage the device and other system components.
Frequency Stability: Characterizes output frequency variation due to temperature over a device’s rated operating temperature range, relative to the value measured at ~25°C.
Absolute Pull Range: Defines the minimum guaranteed value a voltage-controlled device will vary from its nominal center frequency, accounting for manufacturing tolerances, supply voltage, aging, and operating temperature.
Operating Temperature: Recommended operating temperature, typically given in a range or as a maximum. Exceeding these temperatures may affect performance or damage the device and other system components.
Spread Spectrum Bandwidth: Characterizes the extent to which a device’s output frequency can be modulated, for devices equipped with such a feature.
Current - Supply (Max): This represents the maximum current to which a device will meet its given specifications. Exceeding this current may damage the device and/or other system components.
Ratings: Minimum performance standards of the device, which are typically set by a third party.
Mounting Type: Indicates how the device is attached.
Package / Case: Indicates the type of protective case used on an electronic component to allow easy handling, installation, and protection. This selection was determined to be the closest industry standard applicable to the suppliers device packaging. Typically it is best to check the actual dimensions from the datasheet rather than depend on this terminology when designing your circuit.
Size / Dimension: The physical dimensions of the device. Typically given in Length by Width, in Inches (Millimeters).
Height - Seated (Max): Indicates how far the device will extend above the surface to which it has been attached.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | SIT1533AC-H5-DCC-32.768E |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 1473-1516-2-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | SiTime |
| DESCRIPTION | 32.768 kHz XO (Standard) LVCMOS Oscillator 1.2V ~ 3.63V 4-SMD, No Lead |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | ECS-2100AX-200 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | X964-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | ECS Inc. |
| DESCRIPTION | 20 MHz XO (Standard) HCMOS, TTL Oscillator 5V 8-DIP, 4 Leads (Half Size, Metal Can) |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | ASE-25.000MHZ-L-C-T |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 535-ASE-25.000MHZ-L-C-TTR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | Abracon LLC |
| DESCRIPTION | 25 MHz XO (Standard) CMOS Oscillator 3.3V Enable/Disable 4-SMD, No Lead |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | KC2520K24.0000C1GE00 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 478-KC2520K24.0000C1GE00TR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | KYOCERA AVX |
| DESCRIPTION | 24 MHz XO (Standard) CMOS Oscillator 1.6V ~ 3.63V Standby (Power Down) 4-SMD, No Lead |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
SchematicSymbol
Schematic symbol courtesy of Scheme-it. Please see their website for more information and symbols.
MediaLinks
Videos
Replacing Crystal technology with MEMS Oscillators
SiTime Programmable Oscillators
Introducing Highly-Reliable CMOS+MEMS Oscillators
Articles
Oscillator Tutorial
Programmable MEMS Oscillators Meet Reliability, Performance, and Short Lead-Time Requirements
How to Select and Effectively Apply an Oscillator
How to Simply and Cost Effectively Meet Low-Power Circuit Timing Requirements Using SPXOs
Converting Oscillator Phase Noise to Time Jitter
MEMS Oscillators Challenge Quartz Crystals in RF Applications
Understand Crystal Oscillator Parameters to Optimize Component Selection
The Basics of Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCOs) and How to Select and Use Them
Product Training Modules
Crystal Oscillators - Skyworks Solutions
8 Reasons to Replace Crystals with MEMS - SiTime
Differential Oscillators - SiTime
Kyocera Clock Oscillators - KYOCERA AVX
Crystal Clock Oscillator - CTS
MultiVolt Oscillator Products - ECS Inc.
Differential Output Oscillator - TXC
Blogs
Basics of Oscillators
Differences Between Standby and Output
Custom Programming Oscillators at DigiKey
TechForum
MEMS Oscillator vs. Traditional Oscillator
Crystals, Resonators, Oscillators; Can These Be Rotated?
Oscillators - Frequency Stability Vs Frequency Tolerance