Quartz crystal resonators and ceramic resonators activate and work similarly as they both vibrate mechanically when an AC signal is applied to each respectively.
The difference is that a quartz crystal resonator is made from a quartz crystal and a ceramic resonator is from ceramic components.
Quartz Crystals are able to &#;oscillate&#; within the desired frequency with little power required to keep it activated. Crystals can be specified with a precise frequency stability and as the surrounding heat increases, the crystal oscillator is able to keep the frequency stability with minimal frequency change with a 10 PPM (parts Per Million or 0.001%) over -20 ~ +70°C. The tight stability makes crystal suitable for ZigBee/Bluetooth and other wireless applications.
Crystal oscillators can be found in everything from televisions to children&#;s toys that have electrical components.
A ceramic resonator works similar to a crystal. The ceramic resonator utilizes a frequency within the electrical component but unlike the crystal which has a frequency tolerance of 10~30 PPM , a ceramic resonator carries a 0.5% or 5,000 PPM frequency tolerance which is generally used in microprocessor applications where absolute stability is not important.
Here is an easy example to put this into perspective. The percentage difference is similar to an Olympic race. Milliseconds can be the difference between the gold or silver medals. But with an electronic component, the difference is more radical.
Also, crystals utilize hermetically sealed package so they would always be recommended over the ceramic resonators which are environmentally sealed so the crystal is recommended for wide temperature range or harsh environments.
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Crystals and resonators are used as timing devices in electronics to generate precise and reliable signals for a variety of applications. Although they perform some of the same tasks, they differ in terms of construction, characteristics, and applications.
Crystals are made of piezoelectric material and vibrate at a given frequency, whereas resonators are made of a coil and capacitor and generate a resonant circuit that oscillates at a specific frequency.
Read this article to find out more about Crystal and Resonator and how they are different from each other.
When an electrical voltage is supplied to a crystal, it vibrates at a precise and stable frequency because it is made of a piezoelectric substance, often quartz. The piezoelectric effect describes the ability of some materials, like quartz, to generate an electrical charge when mechanical stress is applied and vice versa.
The piezoelectric effect is a phenomenon that occurs when certain materials, such as quartz, are subjected to mechanical stress or deformation. A moderate electrical voltage applied across a crystal causes mechanical deformation or vibration, which in turn produces an electrical voltage at a specific frequency. Because of this feedback mechanism, crystals provide a constant and exact oscillation frequency, making them excellent for generating accurate timing signals in electrical circuits.
Crystals have higher frequency stability and accuracy than conventional timing devices such as resonators or RC circuits. Crystals may produce timing signals with very low frequency drift and minimum phase noise, making them suitable for precision timing applications such as clocks, microprocessors, and communication systems. Crystals, on the other hand, might be more expensive and larger in size than other timing devices, which can be a disadvantage in particular applications.
Crystals of various varieties, such as AT-cut, BT-cut, and SC-cut, are available and optimized for certain applications based on temperature stability, frequency range, and ageing characteristics. The most often used crystals are AT-cut crystals, which have a temperature stability of a few parts per million (ppm) over a large temperature range. Communication systems, for example, use BT-cut crystals because they require higher frequency stability. SC-cut crystals, which have a temperature stability of a few parts per billion (ppb), are used in high- precision applications such as atomic clocks.
A resonator is an electrical component that consists of a coil and a capacitor that work together to create a resonant circuit that oscillates at a specified frequency. Resonators, unlike crystals, do not rely on piezoelectric properties and are not made up of solid-state materials.
The coil and capacitor in a resonator circuit are connected in parallel, which results in a tuned circuit that resonates at a given frequency. The resonant frequency is determined by the coil and capacitor situation and is relatively stable across a limited range of temperatures. Resonators have less frequency stability than crystals, but they are simpler and less expensive.
Microcontrollers, remote controls, and sensors all use resonators in electronic circuits that require reasonable frequency stability. The resonator in these applications produces a reliable clock signal that synchronises the operation of the electrical components.
Ceramic resonators, surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators, and crystal oscillators with integrated capacitors (CXOs) are all examples of resonators. Ceramic resonators are the most popular and are often less expensive and smaller than crystal oscillators. Wireless communication systems, for example, use SAW resonators because they demand stronger frequency stability and lower phase noise. CXOs are crystal oscillators with in-built capacitors that provide a compromise between crystal stability and resonator simplicity.
The following table highlights the major differences between Crystal and Resonator &#;
Characteristics
Crystal
Resonator
Material used
Quartz (solid-state)
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Coil and capacitor
Frequency stability
High
Moderate
Frequency accuracy
Excellent
Good
Operating principle
Piezoelectric effect
LC resonant circuit
Temperature stability
Good
Moderate
Cost
High Cost
Low Cost
Size
Larger
Smaller
Aging
Negligible
Moderate
Applications
High precision and stability applications (clocks, microprocessors, communication systems, frequency synthesizers)
Moderate precision and stability applications (microcontrollers, remote controls, sensors)
Both crystals and resonators are useful electrical components that are used as timing devices in a variety of applications. While crystals provide more frequency stability and accuracy due to their solid-state construction and piezoelectric capabilities, resonators are simpler and less expensive alternatives that are suitable for applications that require moderate frequency stability. The decision between the two depends on the application's specific requirements and the trade-off between cost, size, and performance.
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