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Inside Frequency Control

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

3 Reasons to Order OCXOs in Large Batches

Posted by Bliley Technologies on Jan 16, 2023 8:00:00 AM

 

Virtually all electronic components benefit from mass production. As it turns out, it’s harder to benefit from buying a few parts compared to buying many. This is true for the production and ordering of Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillators (OCXOs). There are several important advantages to buying these in bulk instead of in small quantities, including lower setup costs, shorter lead times, and reduced impact of supply chain issues. 

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Topics: crystal oscillators

Oscillator Aging: How Long Is an OCXO’s Shelf Life?

Posted by Bliley Technologies on Dec 19, 2022 8:00:00 AM

 

We’re often asked if it’s wise to purchase crystal oscillators in large batches, especially when commodity managers are aware all the oscillators might not be used right away. 

By nature, crystal oscillators are made of natural quartz material, which gives them a very long shelf life. In this article, we’ll take a look at why that is and how the stability of crystal oscillators gives them an indefinite shelf life.

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Topics: crystal oscillators

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

Searching for the Perfect Crystal Oscillator? Ask These 4 Key Questions

Posted by Rob Rutkowski on Aug 9, 2021 9:36:00 AM

The harsh truth is, selecting the wrong quartz crystal oscillator can quickly kill any design. With the wide variety of options and specs available in the market today, selecting the perfect crystal oscillator for your design can be a difficult and time consuming task.

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Topics: crystal oscillators

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 expected costs. There are multiple ways and specifications that can quickly drive up (and down) the costs of OCXOs and other crystal oscillators. In this post, you'll learn the top 8 cost drivers for crystal oscillators in order of most influential to least influential.

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

Note: Oscillator pricing is very dependent on your specific needs and application. Be sure to contact us for specific information and pricing based on your needs.

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Topics: crystal oscillators, Clocks & Crystals, General Topics

Buy OCXOs - Immediate Oscillator Pricing for Design Engineers

Posted by Rob Rutkowski on Oct 6, 2020 8:30:00 AM

Have you noticed how difficult it seems to find transparent pricing for frequency control & crystal oscillator components? If so, you're not wrong. Traditionally, it has been difficult to find quick, standard pricing for all things frequency control. Instead, you're basically forced to go through the long quoting process to even get an idea of expected pricing. So why is this? In this post I'm going to explain why OCXO oscillator pricing has been traditionally hard to find, and how Bliley's innovative pricing approach will make your procurement process so much easier.

Also, be sure to check out our OCXO immediate pricing guide at the end of this post!

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Topics: crystal oscillators, Clocks & Crystals

How to Achieve Low Phase Noise with the Poseidon 2 OCXO Oscillator

Posted by Bliley Technologies on Aug 11, 2020 8:15:00 AM


The Secret to Low Phase Noise?
The Poseidon 2 Low Phase Noise Oscillator!

Bliley’s Poseidon 2 Low Phase Noise OCXO Oscillator offers the world's best low phase noise performance when subjected to dynamic random vibration conditions.  It's designed for demanding vibration and low g environments with its acceleration sensitivity as low as 0.007 PPB/G for all 3 axis of vibration.

This low phase noise oscillator is well suited for:

  • Ground Mobile
  • Airborne
  • Radar & Communication Systems
  • Shipboard Environments
  • Any applications requiring ultra low phase noise  or low g performance out to 1MHz offset
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Topics: aerospace, crystal oscillators

[Video] Bliley's New Low-g Sensitivity OCXO Quartz Crystal Oscillators

Posted by Rob Rutkowski on Jul 28, 2020 7:56:00 AM

We sat down with our very own Greg Rogers, VP of Product Engineering, at IMS 2017 this year to give you an up-close and personal experience with Greg and, more importantly, our low g-sensitivity crystal oscillators

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Topics: crystal oscillators

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