32-kHz oscillators deliver high stability, low power

SiTime Corp. has announced a new family of 32-kHz oscillators for demanding consumer applications that require ultra-low power and high reliability in a small package. The SiT1811 oscillators, designed to operate at 32.768 kHz, deliver high reliability with a meantime between failure (MTBF) of over two billion hours and operate at half the power of competing 32-kHz oscillators, according to the company.

Timing components that handle data synchronization need to keep pace with more stringent demands in consumer applications that call for lower power, greater stability as well as a smaller footprint, SiTime said.

For some consumer applications a resonator is enough, the company said, but demanding applications with restrictions in size, power and reliability require oscillators. These applications include smartwatches, gaming controllers, smartphones, smart wearables, hearables and smart tags.

Key applications for the SiT1811 32-kHz oscillators (Source: SiTime)

A key challenge with legacy quartz device alternatives is that a decrease in signal frequency results in an increased resonator size, the company said.

SiT1811 32-kHz oscillator (Source: SiTime)

The SiT1811 programmable oscillator family, housed in a tiny QFN package (1.2 × 1.1 × 0.55 mm), meets these demanding requirements. The SiT1811 is 30% smaller than a leading competing product, SiTime said, claiming the smallest footprint available in a 32.768-kHz oscillator.  The company attributes the small size to MEMS resonators used in the oscillators.

Also claiming the lowest power consumption for a 32.768-kHz oscillator, the SiT1811 family offers ultra-low power consumption of <0.6 µW typical at a current of 510 nA. Other key specifications include low integrated phase jitter of 3 ns RMS, ±20 ppm frequency stability, mechanical shock resistance of 20,000 g, vibration resistance of 100 g and a supply voltage of 1.35 V to 1.98 V. The operating temperature range is -10°C to 85°C. Click here for a datasheet.

The SiT1811 oscillator family is RoHS and REACH compliant as well as lead-free, halogen-free and antimony-free. The SiT1811, available in production quantities, can be purchased at SiTime Direct.