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Appendix C
Crystal terms and application notes
VDD
Holder: A case housing a thin piece of quartz crystal or crystal strip with
vacuum-evaporated metal electrode and terminals for connections.
+5VDC
1MΩ
Frequency: The number of cycles of output waveform occurring per second.
The unit of frequency is cycles per second, or Hertz, abbreviated Hz.
Fundamental mode: The main mode of the crystal.
C1,C2:See Specifications
IC: 4069 (Hex inverter)
(MOTOROLA)
Frequency tolerance: The allowable deviation from the nominal frequency at
room temperature. Frequency tolerance is expressed in percentage, typical
±0.005% or in parts per millions (ppm), ±50ppm.
Equivalent Series Resistance: The value of impedance the crystal exhibits in
the operating resonant circuit.
Drive level: The amount of power dissipation experienced by the crystal in the
circuit. Drive level is expressed in milliwatts or microwatts. Excessive drive
level will result in possible long-term frequency drift or crystal fracture.
Aging: The relative frequency change over a certain period of time. This rate
of change of frequency is normally exponential in character. Typically, aging
is computed within first 30 days and is calculated over a long term (one year
or ten years). The highest aging rate occurs within the first week of operation
and decreases slowly after that.
Frequency stability: The maximum allowable frequency deviation compared
to the measured frequency at 25º C over the specified temperature range, i.e.,
0 to + 70ºC.
Shunt capacitance: Shunt capacitance (CO) is the capacitance between the
crystal terminals. It varies with package, usually it is smaller in SMD (4pF
typical) and is 6pF in leaded crystals.
Spurious: Unwanted resonances usually above the operating mode, specified
in dB max. or number of times of ESR. Frequency range must be specified.
For example, spurious response shall be minimum 6dB or 2.5 x R in the
frequency window of F0 ± 200kHz.
Mode of vibration: The mode of vibration of quartz crystal varies with crystal
cuts such as Thickness-shear for AT cuts and BT cuts, or Flexure mode for
tuning fork crystals (+5ºX) cut, or Face-shear mode for CT, DT cuts. The
most popular cut is the AT cut, which offers a symmetrical frequency shift
over a wide temperature change.
Operating temperature range: Temperature range in which crystal units
operate within specified conditions.
Load capacitance: Load capacitance (CL) is the total amount of capacitance
that the oscillator exhibits to the two crystal terminals. Load capacitance is
needed to be specified when the crystal is used in a parallel mode. Load
capacitance is calculated as follows:
01/10
C2
C1
Overtone mode: Odd numbers assigned for frequencies in terms of specified
oscillation mode. Standard third overtone mode, followed by fifth, seventh,
ninth, etc. It is not practical to go beyond ninth overtone. The frequencies are
not exactly three, five, seven, or nine times the fundamental frequency.
CL =
( C1 × C 2 )
+ Cstray
( C1 + C 2 )
Cstray may vary from 2pF to 6pF.
Figure 1 Load capacitance in circuit
Pullability: Frequency change as a function of load capacitance CL in a
parallel resonant crystal. Pullability is a function of shunt capacitance Co
motional capacitance C1, and size of crystal.
Insulation resistance: Resistance between crystal's leads, or between lead and
case (metal case). It is tested with a DC voltage at 100V ± 15V and insulation
resistance is in the range of 500 Mohms.
Series resonance: Series resonance occurs when its impedance is at minimum
at resonance. Its equivalent circuit at series resonance is a resistor.
Quality Factor: is a quality function of motional inductance, resonant
frequency, and ESR. It is typical in the range of ten's to hundred's of
thousands.
CRYSTAL EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT
R1
C1
L1
C0
Figure 2
The equivalent circuit of a quartz crystal is shown to explain the basic
elements governing the crystal characteristics and performance. It consists of
a motional capacitance Cl, inductance Ll, series resistance Rl, and a shunted
capacitance C0. The first three parameters are known as the "motional
parameters" of the quartz crystal element. See Fig. 2.
ILSI America Phone: 775-851-8880 • Fax: 775-851-8882• e-mail: [email protected] • www.ilsiamerica.com
Specifications subject to change without notice
Appendix C Page 1