Abracon adds ultra-low-jitter oscillators for networking

By Gina Roos, editor-in-chief

Abracon, LLC has extended its ultra-low-jitter ClearClock family  with the addition of the AK2 crystal oscillator series, housed in a 2.5 × 2.0-mm package, the smallest-profile addition to the ClearClock series. The new oscillators can be used in next-generation data rate clocking requirements for applications such as optical modules, small video cameras, and active cables.

The AK2 ClearClock series is designed with a third overtone crystal architecture. “The dynamic design allows engineers to address both space-constrained and high-data-rate system design requirements in networking applications such as PCI Express (PCIe) and optical transceivers,” said Abracon.

The third overtone design also inherently avoids phase locked loop (PLL)-based multiplication to reduce overall power consumption far below other jitter-optimized oscillators available in miniature form factors, added the company. Abracon’s application note provides additional information about the third overtone technology.

The AK2 devices offer an RMS phase jitter performance of

Standard frequencies are available through Abracon’s distribution channel . A ClearClock product guide is available.