What Is Resonant Frequency?

Exploring this Concept That is Important to the Function of Connected Technology Solutions

Although breaking glass purely with sound may seem like a fictional trope, it is actually possible because of resonant frequency. Producing a sound that is the same resonant frequency as glass can cause it to shatter. While this concept is interesting, resonant frequency is about much more than just shattering glass. Understanding resonant frequency is vital to understanding how electronics and connected technology solutions work.

Defining Resonant Frequency

Resonant frequency is the oscillation of a system at its natural, or unforced, resonance. In other words, resonant frequency is the natural frequency of a system. A system is resonant when it is able to store and transfer energy easily between different storage modes. Examples of storage modes include kinetic or potential energy. Most systems only have one resonant frequency that is complemented by multiple harmonic frequencies.

Systems also have their highest amplitude at resonant frequency as well. This elevated amplitude contributes to the glass shattering occurrence. If a sound wave that matched the resonant frequency of the glass were to land on said glass, the vibrations of the elevated amplitude may cause the glass to shatter. Another real world example is the feeling of a shaking bridge if the traffic at any given time caused it to vibrate at its resonant frequency.

The most common occurrence of resonant frequency is within the design of electronics. While this isn’t nearly as exciting or memorable as shattering glass or moving bridges, it is essential to the proper function of some electronics and connected technology solutions.

Resonant Frequency in Circuits for Connected Technology Solutions

Resonant frequency operates in different ways within a circuit. In some, a parallel LC circuit drives the resonant frequency. LC circuits are electrical circuits that contain only the passive components, an inductor and a capacitor. These are sometimes called resonant circuits, tank circuits or tuned circuits. When these resonant circuits are utilized in oscillators, the frequency results in consistent and continuous clock function. This can often be seen in microcontrollers and communication circuits.

Resonant frequency circuits are also often seen in radio frequency applications, serving as the foundation for the tuner by amplifying corresponding resonant frequency signals and rejecting signals that are not within the correct frequency.

Quartz Timing Solutions and Resonant Frequency

When the resonant frequency is the desired frequency of oscillation for a system, a quartz resonator can be used to achieve that function. Quartz resonators are used to output signals within the system, so the crystal oscillator can take those signals, amplify them, and send them back to the resonator for proper functioning.

There are two ways that frequency can be viewed when creating a clock:

Fundamental frequency: Also called natural frequency, crystals are operating at their natural frequency when they operate at or below 50 MHz.
Harmonic frequencies: Utilized when frequencies need to be above 50 MHz. Harmonic frequencies are calculated as multiples of the fundamental frequency. For example, a fourth harmonic would be four times the natural frequency.

Resonant frequency must be considered in the selection of electronic components for a circuit since the requirements will vary depending on the resonant and harmonic frequency requirements of the circuit. Resonant Frequency Solutions Are Only Part of the Wide Array of ECS Inc. Offerings

ECS Inc. has timing solutions and other components that are utilized in various systems and applications. The components offering includes:

Accuracy and precision are essential in these applications and ECS Inc. takes pride in the timing, reliability and performance in each component. Check out some of the many different industries and applications that ECS Inc. components have been used in:

IoT
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Consumer electronics
Technology
Watches
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