What are the specifications of oven-controlled crystal oscillators (OCXOs)?

A crystal oscillator, full name crystal oscillator, is an electronic component capable of generating precise and stable frequencies. An oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) refers to a crystal oscillator with a constant temperature function, which can maintain stable performance within a certain temperature range. OCXOs play an important role in various electronic devices and communication systems, such as mobile phones, televisions, computers, etc. So, what are the specifications of OCXOs? This article will elaborate on the following aspects.

Frequency range

The main function of an OCXO is to provide a stable frequency source, so its frequency range is a very important specification. Generally speaking, the frequency range of OCXOs can vary from a few hertz to hundreds of megahertz, or even higher. OCXOs of different specifications have different frequency ranges, and users need to select appropriate products according to their own needs when choosing.

Stability

Stability is an important indicator to measure the performance of an OCXO. An OCXO with good stability can maintain a constant frequency within a certain period of time and will not drift due to changes in ambient temperature. Generally, the stability of an OCXO can be expressed by the Frequency Stability Coefficient (FSC), with the unit being ppm (parts per million). The smaller the FSC value, the better the stability of the OCXO.

Accuracy

Accuracy refers to the deviation between the actual frequency output by the OCXO and its nominal frequency. An OCXO with high accuracy can ensure that other components in the circuit work more accurately. Generally, the accuracy of an OCXO can be expressed by the Frequency Resolution (DRL), with the unit being Hertz (Hz). The larger the DRL value, the higher the accuracy of the OCXO.

Operating temperature range

Since OCXOs need to work stably within a specific temperature range, the operating temperature range is also an important specification. Generally, the operating temperature range of OCXOs can be from -40 degrees Celsius to +85 degrees Celsius or even higher. OCXOs of different specifications have different operating temperature ranges, and users need to pay attention to the applicable range of the product when selecting.

Package type

OCXOs come in many package types, such as the common TSSOP, SMD, QFN, etc. Different package types will affect the size, number of pins, and electrical characteristics of the OCXO. When selecting an OCXO, users need to choose the appropriate package type according to their own circuit design and installation conditions.

The specifications of OCXOs include frequency range, stability, accuracy, operating temperature range, and package type. In practical applications, users need to comprehensively consider these specifications to select a suitable OCXO product.