SaRonix Ultra-Miniature Crystal Resonator Enables Smaller Mobile Platforms

(Product News, 1 Dec 2005)

SaRonix recently announced the production release of its NKS3 product series, a quartz crystal resonator contained in an ultra-miniature 3.2 x 2.5 mm package. This new crystal, manufactured at Pericom's recently acquired eCERA factory in Taiwan, is mounted inside a small form-factor and robust ceramic package that is designed for portable electronic applications. Featuring operating frequencies from 14 to 54 MHz, the NKS3 series is an ideal component for use in small form-factor hard disk drives, GPS devices, portable multimedia players or recorders, blade servers, switches, routers, portable/personal computing devices, wireless access devices, and SOHO networking equipment.

The NKS3 products are packaged in a hermetically sealed industry-standard 3.2 x 2.5mm ceramic package that is 50% smaller than the popular 3.2 x 5 mm package. This reduced package size facilitates the size-reduction of customers' platforms or the addition of more features/functions to existing platforms. The NKS3 crystals utilize the favorable properties of AT-cut fundamental-mode quartz, with output frequencies available from 14 to 54 MHz. Despite their small size, the NKS3 crystals achieve a relatively low ESR, thus providing an easy-to-use solution. Moreover, the products achieve an impressive ±10 ppm accuracy over commercial operating temperatures, performance that is critical for wireless applications such as GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GSM, and WiMAX.

The NKS3 products are now available for prototype of production requirements. Common operating frequencies include 14.3181, 16, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, 37.5, 40, 48, and 54 MHz. Ordering lead times range from stock to eight (8) weeks and prices start around $0.55 for 10,000 pieces (price varies with exact specifications). The devices are available on tape and reel for automated pick-and-place assembly, are RoHS-compliant, and are compatible with Pb-free reflow soldering guidelines.

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