Aging in OCXO and TCXO

In specific applications or system structures, frequency stability is considered an essential parameter of the local clock. However, the long-term frequency deviation, called frequency aging, will affect the local clock. Even the most stable OCXO (oven controlled oscillator) products have aging characteristics increasing or decreasing the clock's frequency and thereby compromising system frequency stability.

This white paper will introduce why SiTime MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) products are better than traditional quartz products in aging performance and why SiTime can provide a more robust aging compensation solution. The discussion starts by describing the critical factors affecting the frequency deviation of both quartz-based and MEMS-based oscillators. Then a mathematical aging model is used to compare the MEMS and quartz oscillators' predicted long-term aging performance with actual aging measurement results. Finally, through an extrapolation of the mathematical aging model, long-term performance predictions are made.

 

 
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