Inside Frequency Control

Some of the most important decisions an RF engineer will make when designing a new system are choosing the right type of crystal oscillator and determining which signal output is the best fit for their application. Each type of oscillator and output signal comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. 

In this article, we'll discuss temperature compensated crystal oscillators (TCXOs) and the clipped sine waves they produce. We'll also cover some of their most common applications.

Engineering firms across all industries often have to work with many different suppliers to build their products. In the field of radio frequency technology, one of the most critical components in any design is the oscillator that generates the frequency. Using the wrong type of crystal oscillator or one that's of poor quality can ruin an otherwise excellent design.

That’s why it’s so important to make sure you’re working with a reputable supplier. In this guide, we’ll cover the essential questions any RF engineer should ask their crystal oscillator manufacturer.

One of the most important choices an RF engineer will make is deciding what kind of output signal is the best fit for the project they’re working on.

There are many benefits to complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) outputs, but there are different variations on this technology. Some types are more appropriate for certain applications than others.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the benefits of low-voltage CMOS (LVCMOS) outputs and how they differ from standard CMOS.

Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) clocks are a key technology that enables everything from laptops and smartphones to satellites and spacecraft. But what exactly do these devices do, and how are they beneficial in extreme environments and demanding applications?

In this article, we'll give a quick overview of the benefits of CMOS clocks and how RF engineers put them to work in some of the most challenging applications.

RF engineers are always trying to improve the performance of the systems they work on, but a perfect, 100% stable signal that never deviates from the intended frequency will probably never be attainable. The toll that the physical environment and time will take on a crystal remains a fact of life.

But that doesn’t stop us from always working towards getting as close to possible to that ideal. The effects of the physical environment and time can both be mitigated by selecting a high-quality quartz crystal oscillator. Picking the right one for the job depends on the application and other factors, like the amount of power available.

In this article, we will make the case that for those who are trying to minimize the effects of aging and improve stability without using a lot of power, a temperature compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) might be the right solution.

Temperature compensated crystal oscillators (TCXOs) are widely used in applications where accurate frequency sources are needed. Because they're less expensive and smaller than oven controlled crystal oscillators (OCXOs), they offer an ideal solution for many portable units that require a reasonably accurate source.

In this blog, we'll review several performance qualities of TCXOs, as well as four common types. 

To make the long journey to earth's orbit or beyond, spacecrafts must be designed to have very precise functionality. Even simple vibrations during pre-launch transportation and powered flight can interfere with the spacecraft’s functionality. These simple vibrations come from many different sources and can inhibit the spacecraft from reaching its full potential.

Spacecraft engineers must also be concerned about very small vibrations, known as micro-vibrations, from a spacecraft’s own moving parts as it operates in orbit. Micro-vibrations are typically sinusoidal with the chance of some integer harmonics and random vibration being present.

In this blog, we'll discuss four of the most common sources of vibration and micro-vibration in satellites and spacecrafts, and how you can reduce or prevent them in your application. 

Swept quartz crystals are necessary in timing applications that require radiation resistance, but it's important to understand how they work and when you should use them. 

In this blog, we'll review what swept quartz crystals are, how they're manufactured, their common applications, and a common misconception about their benefits.

The process of buying crystal oscillators can be a headache if you don't know what to expect. But learning the basics of how to procure frequency control devices can help you plan accordingly and reduce your frustration. 

There are three main things you should know about crystal oscillators and frequency control devices when ordering them:

1. They have long lead times
2. They typically have a long shelf life
3. They have large purchased lot sizes

Let's dive a little deeper into each of these to give you a better idea of how they'll impact your purchasing strategy. We'll keep this blog short and to the point, but if you want to learn more, we've included links to our more in-depth articles on each topic.

Here’s the scary thing…

Even if you sit for hours upon hours trying to set a precise initial frequency of an oscillator, it’s still going to drift and the oscillator will not be able maintain that frequency over the full course of its use. In this post, you’ll learn the many sources of frequency instability and why an ultra-stable OCXO may be the fix-all solution.