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Inside Frequency Control

OCXO 101: Anatomy of an Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator

Posted by Bliley Technologies on Dec 12, 2023 9:00:00 AM

The oven controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) is near the top of the food chain when it comes to quartz-based frequency control devices, superseded only by the mighty double oven crystal oscillator (DOCXO).

In this blog, we'll review the basics of how an OCXO works, the terms you need to know, how to determine the turning point, and the differences between AT and SC crystal cuts. 

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Topics: engineering, crystal oscillators, Clocks & Crystals

Crystal Cut Types: AT vs. SC Cut Performance Comparison

Posted by Bliley Technologies on Nov 7, 2023 9:00:00 AM

Inside every quartz oscillator is something called a crystal blank. The crystal blank is the resonating element of the oscillator that, when subjected to a voltage potential, will begin to vibrate and oscillate at its fundamental frequency.

The way the crystal blank is manufactured can have a significant impact on the oscillator's performance. In this blog, we'll be discussing how the orientation of the quartz when the crystal blank is cut can affect how your oscillator performs.

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Topics: crystal oscillators, Clocks & Crystals

AT vs. SC-Cut Quartz Crystals: Is EFC Over-Specification Costing You?

Posted by Rob Rutkowski on Oct 12, 2023 9:00:00 AM

What if we told you that specifying more electronic frequency control (EFC) than you need could actually be hurting your company's wallet? Well, it very well may be!

Paying attention to whether your supplier is using AT-cut or SC-cut crystals will help you save money in the long run when it comes to oscillators. In this article, we'll review the difference between these two types of cuts and the impacts of EFC pull. 

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Topics: crystal oscillators, Clocks & Crystals, RF Technology

Can a Crystal Oscillator Operate Outside of the Specified Temperature Range?

Posted by Bliley Technologies on Jul 27, 2023 9:00:00 AM

Will a crystal oscillator operate outside its specified temperature range? This is a common question and the short answer is: yes, but it's complicated.

If, for example, a crystal oscillator is specified over 0 to 60 °C, it will most likely perform without any issues over -40 to 85 °C. But it's possible that it will fall outside its specified stability. This may not matter if the application needs just a stable frequency rather than an accurate frequency.

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Topics: crystal oscillators, Clocks & Crystals

7 Incredibly Effective Ways to Prevent Pressure Transducer Problems

Posted by Rob Rutkowski on Jul 18, 2023 9:00:00 AM

Poor manufacturing environments can significantly reduce the performance quality of a pressure transducer. A failing pressure transducer will lead to problems with sensors and will provide inaccurate readings (or none at all).

A faulty pressure transducer can not only cause frustration and waste time, but it can also lead to unnecessary costs.

To prevent pressure transducer problems or failure from happening in the first place, let's take a look at seven pressure transducer troubleshooting methods to keep your transducers and sensors working great!

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Topics: Clocks & Crystals, RF Technology, general

The Ultimate Guide to Atomic Clocks in Space

Posted by Rob Rutkowski on Jun 21, 2023 9:00:00 AM

Do you know all about atomic clocks in space and how they work? If not, it's about TIME you do. (Haha. Ha. Ha...)

Timing is everything when it comes to GPS satellites and other space applications. Even just a one-microsecond error in timing can lead to an error of 300 meters on the ground. Because atomic clocks can maintain very precise timing, they're a great solution for GPS and other LEO satellites.

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Topics: Clocks & Crystals, RF Technology, Space & Satellites

Crystal Oscillators: The Beginner's Guide (OCXO, TCXO, VCXO, & Clocks)

Posted by Bliley Technologies on Mar 28, 2023 8:00:00 AM

We'll be honest, crystal oscillators aren't the easiest topic to understand. That's mostly because there's a wide variety of crystal oscillator types that do different things, in different ways, for different purposes. This is largely due to their almost endless applications. From satellite communications in space, to military & defense, to telecom and more... there are so many different needs for crystal oscillators. 

In this post, we'll cover the most common types of crystal oscillators, which include:

  • Oven controlled crystal oscillators (OCXO)
  • Temperature compensated oscillators (TCXO)
  • Voltage controlled oscillators (VCXO)
  • Clock oscillators (XO)
  • And some other key types within these categories

I know it sounds like a lot to cover, but don't worry! We're about to make things a whole lot easier for you. By the end of this post, you'll learn the basic uses, advantages, and limitations of each crystal oscillator type.

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Topics: crystal oscillators, Clocks & Crystals

OCXO Lead Times Explained: How Aging Factors into OCXO Development

Posted by Bliley Technologies on Dec 5, 2022 8:00:00 AM

 

“Good things come to those who wait,” as the saying goes, and while aging is a part of all life cycles, crystals shouldn’t age prematurely. The careful production stages and the time it takes to complete them are necessary to the efficient operation of OCXOs. 

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Topics: crystal oscillators, Clocks & Crystals, RF Technology

Crystal Aging and a Counter-Intuitive Tip to Improve System Performance

Posted by Bliley Technologies on Nov 23, 2022 9:00:00 AM
One of the most common configurations of a frequency control device or oscillator is one where the voltage is adjusted to maintain a frequency lock within the system. In these types of systems, frequency error related to the oscillator can have a detrimental effect on system performance. In the most extreme cases, it can actually result in complete system failure when a good frequency lock cannot be maintained.
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Topics: crystal oscillators, Clocks & Crystals

Top 8 Cost Drivers of Crystal Oscillators (How to Save on Costs)

Posted by Rob Rutkowski on Jul 13, 2021 8:15:00 AM

One of the key things you need to know before purchasing a crystal oscillator is the expected cost. There are many specifications that can quickly drive up (or down) the costs of OCXOs and other crystal oscillators. In this post, you'll learn the top eight cost drivers for crystal oscillators ranked from most to least impactful.

By the end of this post, you'll have a much better idea of where to focus your cost-cutting efforts and how to save the most in the long term. Much of it depends on the needs of your specific application and where you're able to be more flexible.

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Topics: crystal oscillators, Clocks & Crystals, General Topics

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