Sourcing Timing Components: Crystals & Oscillators from China
1 resources tagged with "Timing Components"
Timing components set the clock for nearly every digital board — MCUs, RF radios, automotive ECUs. From China you can source SMD crystals (typically a 3225 or 2016 package), TCXOs for ±0.5 ppm stability, and OCXOs where ovenized control matters, covering 32.768 kHz watch crystals up to 1 GHz oscillators. For anything that ships into a vehicle, ask for AEC-Q200 qualification data before you commit, not after the first lot.
When you source timing parts the spec that bites is frequency stability over temperature plus load capacitance matching — a crystal that meets ppm at 25°C can drift badly across an automotive range. We check the datasheet's stability curve, the actual CL versus your board's, and whether AEC-Q200 paperwork is real or copied.
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FAQ
What's the difference between a crystal, a TCXO, and an OCXO?
A plain crystal needs your MCU's oscillator circuit and drifts with temperature. A TCXO adds temperature compensation for ±0.5 to ±2 ppm. An OCXO ovenizes the crystal for sub-ppb stability at higher cost and power — use it only when GPS or telecom timing demands it.
Do I need AEC-Q200 timing parts for an automotive product?
Yes if the component goes into a vehicle. AEC-Q200 is the passive-component stress qualification, and many low-cost Chinese oscillators are not qualified. Request the actual test report, not just a claim in the listing.
What load capacitance should I specify when ordering crystals?
Match the crystal's specified load capacitance (CL) to your PCB layout, usually 8–20 pF. A CL mismatch shifts the actual frequency off target, which is a common cause of timing failures that only show up after assembly.
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