In developing an electronic assembly, one of the steps involved includes choosing the appropriate frequency control product. The basic question at the outset is whether to install a quartz crystal or an oscillator. To reach the right decision, several parameters need to be considered. These include the many different requirements of the application, the device, or the industry. In addition to space requirements, frequency stability, and expertise, development costs also play a notable role.

在开发电子组件时，涉及的步骤之一包括选择合适的频率控制产品。一开始的基本问题是选择石英晶体谐振器还是石英晶体振荡器。为了做出正确的决定，需要考虑几个参数。其中包括应用、设备或行业的许多不同要求。除了空间要求、频率稳定性和专业知识外，开发成本也起着显着的作用。

When a quartz crystal is the way to go 何时适合选择石英晶体谐振器

“A quartz crystal is best suited when the developer wants to build their own electronic oscillator, allowing them to tune or optimize all the relevant parameters. This of course requires a certain amount of effort: The electronic oscillator has to be built and adapted to the resonator in order to ensure oscillation stability as well as cohesion over the entire operating temperature range,” explains Product Manager Jacob Lee. Circuit components include, for example, capacitors, which must be selected so that the quartz crystal’s specific load capacity is achieved. If this is not the case, considerable deviations from the specified nominal frequency may occur. The specifications for the quartz crystal must therefore be clearly defined in advance to avoid frequency deviations.

“当开发人员想要构建自己的振荡电路时，石英晶体谐振器是最适合的选择，因为这样可以允许他们调整或优化所有相关参数。这当然需要一定的努力：振荡器电路必须正确构建且满足谐振器振荡要求，以确保振荡稳定性，包括工作温度范围，”产品经理 Jacob Lee 解释道。例如，电路组件包括电容器，必须选择电容器才能实现石英晶体的特定负载能力。否则，则可能会与指定的标称频率出现相当大的偏差。因此，必须事先明确定义石英晶体的规格，以避免频率偏差。

However, since quartz crystals are less expensive than crystal oscillators, they are a better choice for larger quantities. In addition, there must be sufficient space on the circuit board: A piezoelectric crystal with circuitry requires more space than a crystal oscillator.

然而，由于石英晶体谐振器比石英晶体振荡器便宜，因此前者需求量更大。此外，电路板上必须有足够的空间：因为带有电路的压电晶体比晶体振荡器需要更多的空间来布线。

The perfectly coordinated complete solution: The crystal oscillator 完美协调的完整解决方案：晶体振荡器

When using an oscillator, all components of the internally installed circuitry are already perfectly matched. In contrast to a quartz crystal with circuit, the oscillator usually takes up less space. An oscillator always contains a frequency control component—in our case, an quartz crystal. This is inserted into the Pierce circuit, which causes the quartz crystal to oscillate.

使用晶体振荡器时，内部安装电路的所有组件都已经完美匹配。与外带电路的石英晶体谐振器相比，晶体振荡器通常占用的空间更少。晶体振荡器已内置频控组件—石英晶体谐振器。它被植入皮尔斯电路中，导致石英晶体振荡。如下图所示：

Pierce circuit

The oscillator is therefore the most space-saving alternative: Everything is compact and built into one component, and the developer does not have to design a circuit around the piezoelectric crystal. The component is particularly suitable for low volumes because it eliminates the need for time-consuming optimization and tuning of circuit components.

因此，晶体振荡器是最节省空间的替代方案：一切都紧凑并内置在一个组件中，开发人员不必围绕压电晶体设计电路。该组件特别适用于小批量，因为它消除了对电路组件进行耗时的优化和调整的需要。

Another advantage of the oscillator is that when using a quartz crystal, the ratio of area to thickness must not fall below a certain value. If this ratio is not maintained, it will have a negative effect on the electrical parameters. This means that low frequencies (below 6MHz) can no longer be handled in smaller designs. This limitation does not apply to oscillators because they have an IC inside. The same applies to circuits with higher frequencies (i.e 200MHz)—here, too, quartz crystals reach their physical limits more quickly. Due to the internal IC, compensations via temperature are also possible (TCXOs). This allows the developer more room to maneuver in order to meet the requirements of the respective application and its external influences. This way also allows a frequency stability of  ±0.5 parts per million. At best, quartz crystals are specified with just under  ±10 parts per million.

晶体振荡器的另一个优点是，当使用石英晶体谐振器时，其内置的石英晶片面积与厚度的比值不得低于某个值。如果不保持这个比率，它将对电气参数产生负面影响。这意味着在较小的设计中无法再处理低频（低于6 MHz）。但晶体振荡器却不受该限制，因为它们内部有一个 IC，可以对频率进行倍频，如倍频至200MHz。由于其内部 IC，还可以通过温度进行补偿 （TCXO）。这为开发人员提供了更多的可操作空间，以满足相应应用的要求及尽量减少来自外部电路的影响。值得一提的是，带温补功能的TCXO晶体振荡器频率稳定性可达±0.5 ppm。而石英晶体谐振器的频率精度充其量只能做到略小于±10ppm。