High-frequency crystal oscillators provide frequency-margining control

Sunnyvale, Calif. — Maxim Integrated Products has introduced the DS4M-XO series of crystal oscillators, which supports frequency operation from 100 MHz to 300 MHz and provides frequency margining in a 5.0 x 3.2-mm package. Touted as the industry's first crystal oscillators to provide frequency margining at levels of ±5%, the DS4M-XO series facilitates frequency-margin testing in production environments through simple logic control, thereby eliminating the need for signal generators and non-standard oscillator frequencies, Maxim said. These crystal oscillators are well-suited for Ethernet, InfiniBand, PCI, and PCI Express II applications.

Fifty-five percent smaller than competitive solutions, the DS4M-XO devices are available in a 5.0 x 3.2 x 1.49-mm, 10-pin LCCC surface-mount package with an integrated crystal. These XOs are manufactured using fundamental AT-cut crystal technology with no overtone, and they integrate a low-noise, PLL-based oscillator designed using Maxim's proprietary SiGe process. This design ensures jitter performance of less than 1 ps RMS (12 kHz to 20 MHz) over the -40°C to +85°C extended temperature range.

These crystal oscillators are highly competitive against both SAW-based and third-overtone crystal oscillator designs, Maxim said. The DS4M-XO devices provide exceptional long-term aging characteristics (<±7 ppm), good stability over temperature (<±50 ppm), low phase-jitter performance (<1 ps RMS), and smaller packaging (5 x 3.2 mm versus 5 x 7 mm). In addition, these XOs provide frequency margining, which is not currently provided by SAW-based or third-overtone oscillator designs.

Standard frequencies for the DS4M-XO series include 125 MHz (DS4M125), 133 MHz (DS4M133), and 200 MHz (DS4M200). For frequencies not listed above, customers should contact the factory for availability and lead times.

Pricing: Starts at $7.39 (1000-up, FOB USA).
Availability: Samples are available.
Datasheet: DS4M125

Maxim Integrated Products, 1-800-998-8800, www.maxim-ic.com