By way of background know - how, quartz crystals in electric packages are crystals of quartz, sliced in a particular fashion to produce an electric signal at a constant frequency that can be used to stabilise the frequency of oscillators and timing signal generators.
They are produced by specialized electronics companies to exact specifications including size, shape, frequencies, temperature tolerance and robustness.
The quiver frequency of a quartz crystal ocillator is normally in conference to monitor time ( as in quartz wristwatches and time pieces ), to supply a stable clocking signal for electronic digital integrated circuits, and to stabilise frequencies for radio transmitters and receivers. Of the piezoelectric resonators available by far the most common conformation utilized is the quartz crystal, and so the oscillator circuit developed around them have become recurrently published as " quartz crystal oscillators ".
A Quartz Crystal is a solid which has the structural idiosyncratic whereby the constituent atoms, molecules, or ions are polished in a oftentimes ordered, repeating structure extending in all three spatial dimensions. Once a Quartz Crystal is cut and mounted in the right manner, it can be influenced to change in an electric field by applying a voltage to an electrode close to or on the quartz crystal. This distortion property is known as piezoelectricity.
Once the electric field is taken away, the quartz crystal will generate an electric field as it reverts to its earlier shape from the influenced distorted shape, and this activity can generate a voltage. As a result of this process a quartz crystal behaves like a circuit with a particular resonant frequency.
One of many advantages of using Quartz Crystals is that they may be produced for specific frequencies ranging from a fairly low frequency of a few tens of kilohertz to higher frequencies in the tens of megahertz range. There are in excess of two billion quartz crystals built annually and the vast majority are integrated into instruments such as wrist watches, time pieces, radios, computers, mobile handsets and smart phones. Quartz crystal Oscillators are also located inside electronic assessment, measurement and monitoring instrumentation throughout numerous industry sectors. Instances of these devices include electronic counters, signal generators, and oscilloscopes.
Quartz Crystal has the further advantage in that it ' s frequency dependence on temperature can be very minimal. The unique characteristics will depend on the mode of vibration plus the angular machining of the Quartz Crystal when it was cut. For mission critical applications the quartz Crystal Oscillator is mounted within a temperature - controlled vessel, generally known as a crystal oven. This gives a predictable, controlled atmosphere where the oscillator can work without any variation in temperatures. To regulate the physical setting it can be fixed on shock absorbers to stop influence by outside mechanical vibrations.
Oscillators for precision electronics are a fundamental component that should never be compromised on quality, accuracy and durability.
Even though Crystal Oscillators still commonly use quartz crystals, components utilizing other materials are becoming more common, for example ceramic resonators. These can be manufactured in commercial quantities and present features much like quartz crystal oscillators but at a cheaper cost.
Euroquartz Ltd are manufacturers and designers of frequency control devices including http: / / www. euroquartz. co. uk / oscillators. aspx. It ' s complete manufacturing service offers: -
UK based design engineers
On site production facilities
Quick delivery
Low cost
Stockholding of standard products
Quality assured production process - ISO 9001 certification
