TCXOs

How Does a TCXO Work?

A TCXO is a crystal oscillator that contains a temperature-sensitive reactive circuit in its oscillation loop that compensates for inherent temperature variations that occur when a crystal oscillator is in use. Typically, the functionality of a TCXO relies on five primary functional blocks, each of which are critical to the accuracy of a TCXO. These blocks are as follows:

Controlling Signal Generator
The controlling signal generator is the gateway to the heart of a TCXO. Thanks to the help of a thermistor, the controlling signal generator registers changes in the ambient temperature, and, using a predefined reference voltage, calculates a proportional temperature voltage, followed by a controlling voltage. Without this piece, the circuit won’t even know there’s been a fluctuation in the operating temperature.

Pulling Network
Next is the pulling network. The pulling network uses the controlling voltage output from the controlling signal generator to correct the oscillator’s temperature-based frequency deviation. Similar to a VCXO, a varactor diode to accomplish this.

Core Oscillator
The core oscillator is just as it sounds – it is the standard crystal oscillator circuit that’s providing the heartbeat of the entire system.

Voltage Regulator
Next up is the voltage regulator, which could be thought of as the bodyguard for the TCXO. It controls the external voltage and prevents voltage fluctuations within the unit caused by ambient sources (such as noise produced by the power supply).

Output Buffer
Finally, the output buffer comes into play as the second bodyguard. It protects the crystal oscillator from any changes in external load. Because of this, the accuracy of the resonant frequency output wouldn’t be affected by output-load capacitance.

Find the Best TCXOs and Other Passive Components from ECS Inc.

When you buy from ECS Inc., you can rest assured knowing you’re buying some of the best electrical components on the global market. Our TCXOs continuously monitor temperature output, and will adjust the output frequency to maintain tight stabilities. This allows TCXOs to offer a very stable timing source over the rated temperature range. Our TCXO products are offered in both surface mount device (SMD) and through-hole circuit packaging configurations.

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Contact us today if you need more information about our temperature compensated crystal oscillators, or have questions about a specific requirement in your application design. Our team of product experts are ready to help you create a custom timing solution that fits your exact specifications. To learn more about our products and their applications, you also can browse our extensive online resource library.