Active resonators can replace quartz crystal devices

SiTime Corp. has introduced a new category of active resonators, targeting automotive, enterprise, and industrial applications. The XCalibur MEMS-based active resonators can be used as a drop-in replacement for quartz crystal resonators in 4-pin SMD packages. Advantages over the crystal resonators include a 10× greater reliability, higher stability over a wide temperature range, short lead times, and the elimination of design issues related to quartz crystal resonators, said the company.

(Source: SiTime)

Quartz resonators have known weaknesses such as susceptibility to strong electromagnetic interference (EMI) fields, requirements for negative resistance testing at every design and layout cycle, and the need for qualification for each frequency, said SiTime.

The active MEMS resonator technology is said to eliminate these design issues and reduce development time by up to two months. The XCalibur resonators also eliminate the need for tuning capacitors required for parallel resonant crystals, and the devices can drive two clock inputs, which help to further reduce component count.

The active resonators offer a wide range of frequencies from 1 MHz to 137 MHz. Stability over temperature is ±20 ppm (-55 °C to 125 °C) and ±15 ppm @+25°C. They also feature a programmable drive strength to optimize the clock rise/fall time, which is said to improve system radiated EMI and the downstream clock receiver’s jitter.

Harmonic EMI reduction (SiT1408) as a function  of slower rise/fall time. Click for a larger image. (Source: SiTime)

The portfolio consists of the SiT1408, SiT1409, SiT1418, SiT1419, SiT1420, SiT1421, SiT1424, and SiT1425 devices. They are available in two surface-mount package sizes: 3.2 × 2.5 mm. and 2.5 × 2.0 mm. Samples are available within 48 hours. Lead times for volume production is within two weeks.