Inside a Crystal Oscillator

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awneil
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Posted by awneil: Sun. Feb 21, 2021 - 11:51 PM
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There's been plenty of posts on the difference between a plain crystal, and a crystal oscillator; eg,

 

https://www.avrfreaks.net/commen...

 

https://www.avrfreaks.net/commen... - Tip #4 in my signature

 

Here's what is actually inside a crystal oscillator:

 

https://www.righto.com/2021/02/teardown-of-quartz-crystal-oscillator.html

 

 

EDIT

 

As Jim points out, this article focuses on just one particular crystal oscillator device - always study the datasheet for the particular device you are using for specific details like pin functions, etc.

 

 

This topic has a solution.

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Last Edited: Mon. Feb 22, 2021 - 09:14 AM
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ka7ehk
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Posted by ka7ehk: Mon. Feb 22, 2021 - 12:11 AM
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It is worth pointing out that MANY crystal oscillators do not have an enable or disable pin. Commonly, there are only 3 used pins, power, ground, and clock out; in this case, there IS a fourth pin, but it is (usually) not connected to anything.

 

A "crystal" is, well, just the crystal without any of the other stuff.

 

Jim

 

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Last Edited: Mon. Feb 22, 2021 - 12:12 AM
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avrcandies
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Posted by avrcandies: Mon. Feb 22, 2021 - 01:51 AM
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Some of the new XTAL oscillators are much more involved...I worked on one that had as much stuff and adjustments as a PC before they changed to a normal device...The can included a processor or pll chip built in to control all the settings (just so you can send a perfect clock to your tinyxxx  part).  You communicate with them serially to make the various settings.

 

 

 

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Last Edited: Mon. Feb 22, 2021 - 02:07 AM
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awneil
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This reply has been marked as the solution. 
Posted by awneil: Mon. Feb 22, 2021 - 09:11 AM (Reply to #2)
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ka7ehk wrote:
It is worth pointing out that MANY crystal oscillators do not have an enable or disable pin.

Yes - good point.

 

As always, you do have to RTFM - ie, study the datasheet - for the particular device you are (considering) using.

 

Top Tips:

  1. How to properly post source code - see: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment... - also how to properly include images/pictures
  2. "Garbage" characters on a serial terminal are (almost?) invariably due to wrong baud rate - see: https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/serial-communication
  3. Wrong baud rate is usually due to not running at the speed you thought; check by blinking a LED to see if you get the speed you expected
  4. Difference between a crystal, and a crystal oscillator: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...
  5. When your question is resolved, mark the solution: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...
  6. Beginner's "Getting Started" tips: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...
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Gold Markclawson
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Posted by clawson: Mon. Feb 22, 2021 - 09:21 AM
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Are they going to now breakdown/analyze what is happening on the die ? ;-)

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awneil
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Posted by awneil: Mon. Feb 22, 2021 - 09:28 AM (Reply to #5)
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yes - they do:

 

Top Tips:

  1. How to properly post source code - see: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment... - also how to properly include images/pictures
  2. "Garbage" characters on a serial terminal are (almost?) invariably due to wrong baud rate - see: https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/serial-communication
  3. Wrong baud rate is usually due to not running at the speed you thought; check by blinking a LED to see if you get the speed you expected
  4. Difference between a crystal, and a crystal oscillator: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...
  5. When your question is resolved, mark the solution: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...
  6. Beginner's "Getting Started" tips: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...
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