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A 'ceramic resonator' is an electronic component that produces an oscillation at a specific frequency. It is used primarily as the source of the clock signal for digital circuits such as microprocessors.^[1] Ceramic resonators are also likely to be found in timing circuitry for a wide array of applications such as TVs, VCRs, automotive electronic devices, telephones, copiers, cameras, voice synthesizers, communication equipment, remote controls and toys.

Contents

Package

Composition

See also

External links

References

Package

A typical ceramic resonator package has three connections. They come in both surface mount and through-hole varieties with a number of different footprints. The oscillation takes place across two of the pins (connections) and the third pin is connected to ground.^[2][3]

Composition

Ceramic resonators are made of high-stability piezoelectric ceramics, generally lead zirconium titanate (PZT) which functions as a mechanical resonator. When voltage is applied, its piezoelectric "vibration behavior" causes an oscillating signal. The thickness of the ceramic substrate determines the resonant frequency of the device.
A ceramic resonator is often used in place of quartz crystals as a reference clock or signal generator in electronic circuitry because of its lower cost and smaller size. It is used on circuits where frequency specifications aren't highly critical (quartz has a 0.001% frequency tolerance, while PZT has a 0.5% tolerance).
Ceramic Resonators can be seen in many circuit boards.

See also

★ Oscillator

★ Electronic oscillator

★ Crystal oscillator

External links

★ Technical Specifications of a Ceramic Resonator

References

1. PIC12F675 Datasheet. [1]
2. ZTT Series Datasheet. [2]
3. AWSCR Series Datasheet. [3]