NXP Demonstrates Its New MEMS-based Frequency Synthesizer

Published:2012/1/11 0:51:00 Author:Phyllis From:SeekIC

NXP Semiconductors’ new MEMS-based frequency synthesizer presents a compelling alternative to quartz crystal-based timing devices. NXP’s MEMS technology replaces a quartz crystal with a bare silicon die that is more than 20 times smaller than the smallest crystal available today. The MEMS die does not require any dedicated, quartz-like, ceramic or metal-can hermetic package. Instead, it can be merged with other ICs into a standardized, low-cost plastic package. The crystal-free frequency synthesizer is one of the latest advanced High Performance Mixed Signal technologies produced by NXP.

NXP’s proprietary resonator technology for MEMS-based timing devices features higher frequency stability, lower timing jitter and lower temperature drift compared to other CMOS oscillators.

The resonator exhibits very low motion damping and hence a very high quality factor, allowing for high frequency stability and low close-to-carrier noise levels of the oscillator. Low damping is achieved using a mono-crystalline silicon resonator that is placed under reduced atmospheric pressure in a low-cost, on-wafer processed hermetic cavity. The resonator shows no significant ageing, even after accelerated lifetimes such as HTOL, HAST and TMCL.

NXP’s MEMS resonator uses a unique piezo-resistive concept combining strong electro-mechanical coupling with a high resonance frequency. The high oscillation frequency that is made possible with this concept enables very low timing jitter. By using the piezo-resistive concept, the resonator overcomes the classical issue of weak electro-mechanical coupling at high resonance frequency, which is encountered in conventional silicon MEMS resonators.

The NXP resonator exhibits 10 times less temperature drift compared to conventional silicon resonators, and is comparable to quartz-crystal tuning forks. The reduction in temperature drift is realized passively, and therefore does not require any additional power that is often needed in conventional temperature drift correction schemes. As a result, the oscillator is able to realize very high frequency stability of only a few parts-per-million (ppm).

NXP Semiconductors provides mixed signal solutions and semiconductor components primarily in Japan, Europe, South Korea, Rest of Asia Pacific, and the Americas. It offers small signal, power, and integrated discretes; and amplifiers, bipolar transistors, data converters, diodes, rectifiers, microcontrollers, sensors, and thyristors. The company’s products are used principally in automotive, identification, mobile, consumer, computing, wireless infrastructure, lighting, and industrial applications. It also develops audio and video multimedia software solutions for mobile phones.

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