Crystal oscillator makers keep up miniaturization

Mainland China companies can offer up to 2016 SMD crystal oscillators and are preparing for the next trend for smaller 1210 types.

Continued efforts of mainland China suppliers to make smaller and thinner crystal oscillators for mobile and wearable devices have so far yielded units in up to 1612. This is just a size away from the 1210 or 1.2x1x0.3mm achieved by foreign counterparts.

Measuring 1.6x1.2x0.35mm, 1612 types are expected to soon replace those in 2016 or 2x1.6x0.7mm in smartphone applications, while wearables may require the 1210 variants in coming years.

Companies also press on with the objective to develop higher-frequency models. They can turn out general types with 150MHz when required, and target to realize up to 300 and 400MHz in coming years. Shenzhen Cockey has models with frequency of 1 to 150MHz, mainly for wearable and mobile electronics and smart home applications. The components are in sizes of 2016, 2520 and 3225 and have a rated voltage of 1.8, 3.3 or 5V.

At present, the typical lineup for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and wearable electronics includes 32.768kHz, 12, 16, 24, 26 and 32MHz crystal oscillators. For biometric products such as face and fingerprint recognition devices, 27 and 54MHz kinds are on offer.

Rising demand for crystal oscillators, particularly SMD kinds, has been encouraging most mainland suppliers to raise production steadily in recent years and will continue doing so through 2019.

The increase in total sales and export shipments has been stable at 5 to 10 percent, driven by the mobile, wearable and automotive electronics, robotics and smart home markets. In the years ahead, growth is projected to surge to about 30 percent, thanks to wearables, smart home and robotics products.

From the first application, local makers of crystal oscillators anticipate the most benefit because of wide adoption in the burgeoning category. The mainland’s wearables deliveries in 2018 are anticipated to go up by nearly 29 percent YoY, the same rate as the previous year. In 2017, up to 50 million units were shipped, according to IDC.

This is why the traditional component will still be the mainstream line in the next two or three years in the mainland in spite of the threat from MEMS oscillators.

Even so, ventures into the advanced segment have been initiated. One local company, Shenzhen Yangxing, has been making MEMS oscillators since 2016 in agreement with industry leader SiTime. Its two series in 1.5x0.8mm boast 32.768kHz frequency, less than 10ppm frequency tolerance and less than 1µA power. The components target mainly wearable devices and the Internet of Things applications.

The MEMS category posted 65 percent CAGR from 2012 to 2017, compared with that of the older technology’s 5 percent, according to OFweek. In 2018, this trend will persist and the estimated increase will exceed 50 percent.

There are more than 500 makers of crystal oscillators in the mainland, two-thirds of which are homegrown companies and the rest mostly from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The latter owns over 70 percent of the mainland market and has near monopoly of the high end with a 90 percent share. NDK, TXC, Epson, Toyocom, Kyocera and Hosonic are some the major foreign players there.

The provinces of Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Hebei are the key production hubs in the mainland. More suppliers are expected to join the line and flock to these areas.

Mainstream oscillators

Crystal oscillators from mainland suppliers include SPXO, TCXO, VCXO, OCXO and LPXO types in SMD and DIP configurations. These come in variants with frequency starting at 0.5MHz and rated voltage of 1.8, 2.5, 2.8, 3.3, 5 or 12V.

Units in sizes of 1612, 2016 and 3225 in the SMD subcategory are widely offered.

HC-49U, HC-33U, HC-49U/S, HC-49USMD, UM-1, UM-5, full-size or DIP-14 and half-size or DIP-8 units make up the DIP range.

The key materials and components used include crystal blanks, electrodes, ceramic, passive components, adhesive and metal. All come from the local supply or foreign providers, depending on buyers’ preferences.

The cost of these manufacturing inputs is expected to stay stable this year and keep product prices at current levels.

The products in this gallery have been handpicked by our mainland China-based market analyst for representing current trends in crystal oscillators from mainland China makers.

16 to 54MHz crystal oscillator

Hubei TKD Crystal Electronic Science & Technology Co. Ltd's model M2016 crystal oscillator has 16 to 54MHz frequency range and ±10ppm or custom tolerance at 25 C. The drive level is 10µW and the maximum 100µW. The shunt capacitance is 5pF and the load capacitance 8, 10pF or custom.

The unit operates in -10 to 60 C. It ages at a maximum 3ppm per year.

The minimum order is 1,000 units and the delivery lead time 10 days.

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Fundamental-mode crystal oscillator with 24 to 60MHz range

Model S1612 crystal oscillator from Strong Electronics & Technology Ltd operates in fundamental mode and has a range of 24 to 60MHz and tolerance of ±10, ±30ppm or as specified at 25 C. By maximum ratings, the drive level is 50µW, the shunt capacitance 3pF and the load capacitance 8, 10pF or as required.

The AT-cut type supports -10 to 60 C and ages annually at ±2 or ±5ppm. It is RoHS-compliant.

The minimum order of 1,000 units is for delivery within 14 days.

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12 to 80MHz crystal oscillator

Tangshan Guoxin Jingyuan Electronics Co. Ltd offers model SMD3225 fundamental-mode crystal oscillator with 12 to 80MHz range and ±10ppm tolerance at 25 C. The resonant resistance is less than 70ohm at 12 to 20MHz, less than 40ohm at 20 to 40MHz and less than 25ohm at 40 to 80MHz. The maximum drive level is 200µW.

The component has 500Mohm insulation resistance at 100VDC. Aging is ±1 to ±3ppm per year.

The 3,000-unit minimum order is delivered within 10 days.

32.768kHz crystal oscillator

From Zhejiang A-Crystal Electronic Co. Ltd, this model PMX206 32.768kHz crystal oscillator has ±20ppm tolerance and ages at ±3ppm in 25 C. The drive level is 1µW, the shunt capacitance 1.35pF, the insulation resistance 500Mohm and the operating temperature -40 to 85 C.

The negotiable minimum order has a 7-day delivery lead time.