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Silicon Oscillator Promises 99.91-Percent Accuracy

Feb. 26, 2009

Among the plethora of devices available from distributor Digi-Key is the LTC6930 family of low-power precision silicon oscillators. These devices feature fixed frequencies from 32.768 kHz to 8.192 MHz. Drawing only 105 uA at 32 kHz and requiring one 1.7-to-5.5-V supply, the LTC6930 can operate from two unregulated nickel-cadmium batteries. While most oscillators exhibit a startup time greater than 1 ms, the LTC6930 guarantees a startup time of less than 110 s. Five versions are available. Each one has a unique master frequency as well as digitally controlled frequency dividers that give eight different frequencies per device. Frequency shifting is accomplished within a single clock cycle and without glitches. The 0.09-percent frequency tolerance makes the LTC6930 suitable for many applications including serial port communications and microprocessor clocks. P&A: available now.

About the Author

Nancy Friedrich | RF Product Marketing Manager for Aerospace Defense, Keysight Technologies

Nancy Friedrich is RF Product Marketing Manager for Aerospace Defense at Keysight Technologies. Nancy Friedrich started a career in engineering media about two decades ago with a stint editing copy and writing news for Electronic Design. A few years later, she began writing full time as technology editor at Wireless Systems Design. In 2005, Nancy was named editor-in-chief of Microwaves & RF, a position she held (along with other positions as group content head) until 2018. Nancy then moved to a position at UBM, where she was editor-in-chief of Design News and content director for tradeshows including DesignCon, ESC, and the Smart Manufacturing shows.