xtal

Oscillators Overview

Types
- RC
  - exponential charging and discharging of an RC circuit
- LC
  - natural frequency of inductor capacitor in parallel
- Xtal
  - mechanical vibration
  - excited by and sensed by piezoelectric effect
- Atomic
  - crystal generates oscillation
  - oscillations used to create microwaves
  - detector measures atoms in higher energy state
  - detector used as feedback to fine tune oscillator

Type Principle of Operation
Frequency Range
Accuracy

RC (resistor, capacitor) Capacitor charging through a resistor 20 GHz + may be possible
note: 555 timers maximum 200 kHz to 3 MHz depending on type
0.1 % typically possible

LC (inductor, capacitor) Inductor Capacitor Resonance 20 GHz + may be possible 0.01 % typically possible

Xtal (quartz crystal) Piezoelectric Mechanical Resonance Fundamental frequency < 30 MHz
Above 30 MHz use overtones
1 part per 10¹¹
(per day) possible

note: thermal and age decay

Atomic (reference only) Resonance (of Oscillation) between the Nucleus and the Electrons 9 192 631 770 Hz
(cesium 133)
few parts per 10¹²
(for hydrogen it may be possible to have a few parts per 10¹⁴)

Technological Design Home

Type	Principle of Operation	Frequency Range	Accuracy
RC (resistor, capacitor)	Capacitor charging through a resistor	20 GHz + may be possible note: 555 timers maximum 200 kHz to 3 MHz depending on type	0.1 % typically possible
LC (inductor, capacitor)	Inductor Capacitor Resonance	20 GHz + may be possible	0.01 % typically possible
Xtal (quartz crystal)	Piezoelectric Mechanical Resonance	Fundamental frequency < 30 MHz Above 30 MHz use overtones	1 part per 10¹¹ (per day) possible note: thermal and age decay
Atomic (reference only)	Resonance (of Oscillation) between the Nucleus and the Electrons	9 192 631 770 Hz (cesium 133)	few parts per 10¹² (for hydrogen it may be possible to have a few parts per 10¹⁴)