IDT unveils ‘world’s first’ piezoelectric MEMS oscillators

Now sampling, the modules are said to operate with less than one picosecond of phase jitter and be capable of achieving higher frequencies at lower cost without sacrificing performance. They are available in compact industry standard packaging and are being offered as a suitable replacement for traditional six pin crystal oscillators. Harmeet Bhugra, IDT's MEMS division director, told New Electronics: "IDT's patented pMEMS resonator technology combines the strong electromechanical coupling of the piezoelectric material with the stability and low damping of single crystal silicon, allowing us to create convenient and cost effective XO replacements with unparalleled performance and reliability. These products offer a comprehensive frequency control portfolio to replace quartz based devices in a growing number of market segments." The oscillators operate with ±50ppm frequency accuracy over the industrial temperature range of -40 to 85°C. They support LVDS and LVPECL at frequencies of up to 625MHz and are optimized to be pin to pin compatible with traditional XOs. In addition to 7 x 5mm sizes, the oscillators are available in 5 x 3.2mm standard plastic packages to save cost and minimise the application footprint in densely populated enclosures.