Mingjing’s model 49S 12M crystal oscillator supports 12MHz standard frequency. It operates in -20 to 70 C.

Miniaturization remains a key objective, although traditional DIP types still lead supply.

Suppliers of crystal oscillators in China sustain efforts toward miniaturization by strengthening the SMD category while continuing to offer conventional DIP units. The former type is expected to represent half of output by 2015 from 40 percent at present as the robust smartphone and tablet PC markets spur demand. Makers such as Shenzhen Luguang Electronic Technology Co. Ltd and Zhengzhou Wintron Electronic Inc. have raised SMD’s share of yield to 70 percent. Others, including Mingjing Electronic Co. Ltd, aim to reach 50 percent by end-2014.

In the mainstream DIP category, suppliers continue to leverage mature technology. To meet the overall trends for high frequency, precision and stability, and low phase noise, they concentrate on TCXO, VCXO and OCXO variants. Such units have frequency stability of ±0.1 to ±3ppm, ±25 to ±100ppm and ±0.06 to ±200ppb at operating temperature. FCXO kinds are also emphasized. These can create a fixed output frequency synchronized to the external input standard frequency.

Zhengzhou Wintron’s latest OCXO models support 100MHz and exhibit tight frequency stability of ±50pbb at -20 to 70 C and ±100ppb at -40 to 85 C. They have -180dBc/Hz noise floor, and -135dBc/Hz at 100Hz and -162dBc/Hz at 1kHz phase noise at close-in offset. The units come in hermetically sealed 1x1in packages.

Overall, makers are taking advantage of the component’s broad application base. The last includes the consumer electronics, telecom, networking, automotive, industrial, medical, research and measurement, military and aerospace sectors. The first three are the key markets, representing more than 60 percent of crystal oscillator sales globally. Besides smartphones and tablet PCs, the 3G and 4G deployment boosts requirement for the discrete device. As a result, steady growth is projected in coming years, with sales rising about 6 percent.

In China, the category’s rate of revenue increase will reach 10 percent, exceeding the global industry. This is because many foreign companies have transferred production facilities there. They include major players Epson Toyocom, NDK, KDS, TXC and Vectron.

The country is an important production base of crystal oscillators, with global output share of about 40 percent. The maker pool surpasses 500 companies, 80 percent of which are local operations.

Guangdong province remains the manufacturing center for the line, playing host to 40 percent of suppliers. Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shandong and Hebei provinces are the other key locations.

DIP & SMD units

China makers offer DIP and SMD configurations with operating voltage options of 1.8, 2.5, 2.8, 3.3, 5 and 12V, and frequency range of 0.5 to 800MHz. Based on output level, there are sine wave, clipped sine wave, TTL, CMOS, PECL and LVDS kinds.

DIP crystal oscillators come in HC-49U, HC-33U, HC-49U/S, HC-49USMD, UM-1, UM-5, DIP-14, DIP-8 and tuning fork types. The last includes mainly 3x10mm, 3x9mm, 3x8mm, 2x6mm, 1x5mm and 1X4mm versions. HC-49 units lead output.

HC-49U models are broadly used in electronics products such as communication equipment, TVs, telephones and toys. HC-49S models target those with limited height requirement.

HC-49USMD kinds suit ultrathin computers and electronic devices. Tuning fork types are mainly utilized in electronic timers, clocks and calculators, while the UM series are for mobile communications products.

Based on the general circuit, DIP units come in SPXO, TCXO, VCXO, FCXO and OCXO. The first dominates supply. Such components are employed as reference oscillators in communication equipment, measuring instruments and controllers. TCXO variants have the same function in the first two applications.

VCXO models are mainly for the synchronization and demodulation of a transmitter and a switchboard. FCXO kinds are for frequency conversion of transmission devices and frequency synchronization. OCXO units are adopted as reference oscillators for communication equipment and electronic measuring instruments.

The SMD selection includes 0705, 0603, 5032, 3225, 2520 and 1612 versions.

As for silicon MEMS types, only foreign companies have the capability to produce them. They include SiTime and Epson Toyocom.

Crystal oscillators consist of quartz blank, electrodes, mounting clips, cover, base and pins. The housing, including the cover and the base, is usually made of zinc, platinum and copper alloys. The pins are of tin-plated copper.

China makers source materials locally. Costs are stable, helping suppliers keep prices at current levels amid climbing labor expenditure and maintain competitiveness.

Product gallery

Mingjing Electronic Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: 49S 12M
MOQ: 1,000 units
Description: DIP tuning fork type; 12MHz standard, 30 to 150kHz; ±5, 10, 20, 30, 50ppm tolerance of center frequency at 25±3C; ±20, 30, 50ppm center frequency drift; 1μW drive level; 2pF to infinity loading, 2pF maximum shunt capacitance; OEM/ODM orders accepted

Shenzhen Crystal Technology Industrial Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: 3225 SMD OSC
Description: SMD; 1 to 100MHz; 1.8, 2.5 or 3.3V; built-in CMOS IC with tristate function; 3.2x2.5mm; RoHS

Shenzhen Luguang Electronic Technology Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: HC-49S-16.000MHz
MOQ: 1,000 units
Delivery: 3 days
Description: DIP resonator type; 32,00MHz minimum, 66,000MHz maximum frequency; 10pF minimum recommended capacitive load; 100μW drive level

Zhengzhou Wintron Electronic Inc.
(China)

Model: NA-100MK2800
Delivery: 14 days
Description: DIP type; <1ppb/G G-sensitivity; ±50ppb frequency stability at -20 to 70 C, ±100ppb at -40 to 85 C; -180dBc/Hz noise floor; 25.4x25.4mm