APPLICATION NOTES

CERAMIC RESONATORS

Why Ceramic Resonators? Ceramic resonators stand between Equivalent circuit: The equivalent circuit of the ceramic
quartz crystals and LC/RC oscillators in regard to accuracy. resonator is similar to the quartz crystal, but motional parameters
They offer low cost and high reliability timing devices with are very different.
improved start-up time to quartz crystals. See figure 1 below:
For 4MHz: L1 = 385H, C1 = 4.4pF, C0 = 36.3pF, R1 = 8, Q =
Package styles: Abracon offers a wide variety of package 1134, F = 228kHz.
styles for ceramic resonators. They come with two or three
terminals leaded type or surface-mount type.

Properties: The oscillation of ceramic resonators is

dependent upon mechanical resonance associated with their
piezoelectric crystal structure. These materials (usually Barium
Titanate or Lead-Zirconium Titanate) have large dipole
movement, which causes the distortion or growth of the wafer by
an applied electric field.

Oscillation mode: The ceramic resonator oscillates in

thickness-shear vibration mode for Fundamental frequencies
(typical less or equal than 8MHz) and thickness-longitudinal Manufacturing Process: Material Mixing Calcination Milling
vibration mode for third-overtone mode (above 8MHz to 50MHz). Spray Dry Seving Pressing Sintering Printing Sintering
Poling Slicing Sputtering Dicing Wire forming
Frequency range: The available frequency range varies from Soldering Lead frame insert Wax coating Epoxy coating
182kHz to 50MHz. Epoxy curing Inspection Packaging Shipping.

Frequency tolerance at 25C: The maximum allowable Why do ceramic resonators have lower cost than quartz
frequency deviation from the nominal frequency at room crystals?: Because ceramic resonators have high mass
temperature. Frequency tolerance is expressed in percent. production rate, small size, no need for adjustment.
Typical frequency tolerance is 0.5% max. Frequency
tolerance can be controlled tighter on built-in capacitance type. Properties of automotive and industrial grade ceramic
resonators: Abracon offers a new line up of automotive and
Frequency stability: The maximum allowable deviation industrial grade ceramic resonators operating at 40C to
compared to the measured frequency at 25C over the +125C, in supplement to its current consumer grade products
temperature window, i.e. 20C to +80C or 40C to +125C. which are operating at 20C to +80C. The automotive grade,
Standard frequency stability is 0.3%. which offers excellent frequency tolerance, stability, provides a
reliable start-up over the wide temperature. The parts can be
Resonant Impedance: The net impedance of the ceramic ultrasonic (1 minute at 60C, frequency 28kHz, output 20W/L) or
resonator at resonant frequency. Ceramic resonators have rinse washed with water for a limited time and must be dried
superior resonant impedance than quartz crystal, which offer completely to guarantee performance.
much better start-up time.
IC characterization for ceramic resonators: Due to ceramic
Aging: The relative frequency change over 10 years period. The resonators properties, IC matching must be studied and
aging is 0.3% max. over 10 years. performed to satisfy oscillation conditions. The following
possible causes may occur if IC matching was not performed:
Load capacitance CL: Since ceramic resonators have very -In-circuit oscillation frequency off tolerance limit.
large parallel resonance area and frequency is very sensitive to -Not-start-up or start-up at an unwanted frequency.
load capacitance, exact value of load capacitance must be -Stop oscillating or oscillating off limits over temperature.
specified. This process is usually been done through IC -Oscillation at overtone mode.
matching and characterization. Please contact Abracon for -Poor aging due to over power driving.
details. Also, there is possibility between frequency correlation between
test jig and customer IC. The circuits below show an example
between IC characterization of a TMP87P808M and correlation
of in-house test jig using CD4069UBE.

ABRACON IS
ISO 9001 / QS 9000
CERTIFIED

Abracon Corporation. 30332 Esperanza, Rancho Santa Margarita, California 92688 Ph 949.546.8000 | Fx 949.546.8001 | www.abracon.com | abinfo@abracon.com
 APPLICATION NOTES

CERAMIC RESONATORS

IC characterization steps: mounted in oscillator section. The PCB is preferred so that parasitic
Frequency correlation between customers IC and standard IC effects on the board can be taken into account.
tested. A top view pin assignment for the package of the IC samples.
Temperature characteristics of oscillating frequency. Attached schematic shown values of components values such as
Temperature characteristics of oscillating voltage. Rd, Rf, C1, C2, etc.
Rise time vs. Vdd characteristics. Specify date needed.
Oscillating frequency vs. Vdd characteristics. Name and E-mail contact.
Oscillating voltage vs. Vdd characteristics.
Oscillating frequency vs. C1 values (C2 constant) As soon as we received the complete information and materials as
Oscillating frequency vs. C2 values (C1 constant) specified, we will submit the report and recommendations within 4
Oscillating voltage vs. C1 values (C2 constant) to 6 weeks.
Oscillating voltage vs. C2 values (C1 constant)
Oscillating frequency vs. CL value (C1 = C2) LAYOUT HINTS:
Oscillating voltage vs. CL value (C1 = C2) When you design circuit on a PCB, please take the following
Rise time vs. CL characteristics (C1 = C2) considerations:
Starting voltage vs. CL characteristics (C1 = C2)
Please design the trace length as short as possible.
Try to avoid thin line on resonator traces (< 0.010). Design as
wide as possible.
If noise occurs, please insert EMI filter with serial mode between
XOUT pin and resonator or between capacitor and GND.

TEST CIRCUITS:
We used standard CMOS and HCMOS ICs in our test set-up.
CMOS: CD4069UBP tested at 12VDC for F < 8MHz
HCMOS: TC74HCU04 tested at 5VDC.

We used standard 30pF 20% capacitors for C1 and C2, unless

otherwise specified.

Polarization on ceramic resonators: Both quartz crystals and

ceramic resonators do not have polarity since leads can be
mounted interchangeably. However, since ceramic resonator has
much wider trim sensitivity vs. load capacitors value 20%, we
recommend mounting in the same way as we do the
characterization.

IC characterization request: Abracon will offer our customer, in

most cases, IC characterization at no cost. It is very important to
have this process done in early stage of design and board
evaluation. However, please allow us extra time to complete and
submit the report. We need the following information to send
along when submitting a request:

Application. Please be specific either automotive or consumer

grade applications.
Package style (leaded or surface-mount).
Electrical parameters.
Estimate annual usage.
Pilot run and production date.
IC part number and manufacturer
Applied voltage and tolerance, e.g. 12Vdc 10%
Operating temperature.
2 to 5 bulk IC samples or the actual PCB with components

ABRACON IS
ISO 9001 / QS 9000
CERTIFIED

Abracon Corporation. 30332 Esperanza, Rancho Santa Margarita, California 92688 Ph 949.546.8000 | Fx 949.546.8001 | www.abracon.com | abinfo@abracon.com