New product developed; Smaller VCXO (5.0 x 3.2 mm) with high-frequency range and low phase noise, for base stations and optical network devices

September 24, 2014
Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
President: Hiroshi Takeuchi
New product developed;
Smaller VCXO (5.0 x 3.2 mm) with high-frequency range and low phase noise,
for base stations and optical network devices
Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd. (NDK) has developed a new compact high-performance
voltage-controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO) (model No.: NV5032SC, size: 5.0 x 3.2 x 1.2 mm) in
response to today’s trend for downsizing, increased numbers of base stations and optical network
devices that accommodate more communications traffic than ever before. This VCXO features 1) the
high frequencies necessary for high-speed large-capacity communications while securing signal purity
and stability, and 2) the world’s highest levels of low phase noise and low phase jitter
NV5032SC
VCXOs are used as reference signal sources for digital modulation circuits in base stations and
optical network devices, for transmitting large volumes of high-purity carrier signals with high speed.
As carrier signals are usually lined up at narrow frequency intervals in the same device (e.g., a
multicarrier modulation system), the phase noise*1 of VCXOs can interfere with the neighboring
signals and cause deterioration of image, audio and other signals. Therefore the phase noise of VCXOs
used in base stations and optical network devices need to be lower.
*1: The term phase noise refers to unnecessary frequencies observed on both the plus and minus sides of a frequency
presumed to be output by an oscillator (known as the center frequency). It is characterized by a normal
mountain-shaped distribution curve with a peak at the center frequency. A high phase noise curve has gentle
slopes with slow tapering at the start and end, while a low phase noise curve has steep slopes with sharper
tapering at the start and end. The higher the phase noise, the greater the effect on neighboring signals. Phase
noise is an important indicator of VCXO performance; those with low phase noise are superior.
With the increasing use of mobile devices, such as smartphones, and the advancing
communications standards, base stations are required to be smaller in size and higher in speed. So
supplementing the functions of conventional macro base stations and reducing the burden on them is
needed in larger-volume radio communications (particularly in cities). Accordingly, VCXOs also need
to be made smaller with high frequency and low phase noise capabilities.
To meet these needs, NDK has improved the technology used for its previous VCXOs (7.0 x 5.0 mm),
and developed 5.0 x 3.2 mm VCXO with the characteristics required for small cell stations and optical
network devices; 1) frequency range: 100 MHz to 200 MHz, 2) phase noise levels of the offset
frequencies at the foot of phase noise curve: -127 dBc/Hz at 1 kHz and -156 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz, and
3) phase jitter*2 : 0.13 ps for 12 kHz to 20 MHz. Additionally, this VCXO has high input resistance
(Min. 10 MΩ) to support convenience in the use of communications devices, overcoming the difficulty
of the compatibility between high input resistance and low phase noise.
*2: Frequencies shifted toward the plus and minus sides from the center frequency are called offset frequencies, and
phase jitter is the total amount (an integrated value) of jitter (frequency variation or fluctuation of clock signals)
within a particular offset frequency range. The phase noise levels of -127 dBc/Hz at 1 kHz and -156 dBc/Hz at
100 kHz and the phase jitter value of 0.13 ps for 12 kHz to 20 MHz mentioned above has a phase noise curve
with sharper tapering at the start and end, and its effects on neighboring signals are small.
Engineering sample delivery is scheduled for October 2014, and the start of mass production is
scheduled for January 2015.
General specifications: NV5032SC
Size (Outer dimensions)
Typ. W 5.0 x D 3.2 x H 1.2 mm
Frequency range
100 MHz to 200 MHz
Frequency variable range
Min. ± 100 x 10-6 / 1.65 ± 1.65 V
Supply voltage (Vcc)
+ 3.3 V ± 10%
Operating temperature range
- 40˚C to + 85˚C
- 70 dBc/Hz at 10 Hz
- 100 dBc/Hz at 100 Hz
Phase noise
- 127 dBc/Hz at 1 kHz
- 148 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz
- 156 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz
- 156 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz
Phase jitter (RMS)
Max. 1 ps (Typ. 0.13 ps) (12 kHz to 20 MHz)
Input resistance
Min. 10 MΩ
Current consumption
Max. 65 mA
Output level
LVPECL
Feel free to contact us (details below) with any inquiries on other specifications or requests for
further information or samples:
< Contact >
Sales representative / Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
e-Mail : [email protected]