
ASIA
: Kyocera Corporation is pleased to announce that Kyocera Kinseki,
a full subsidiary engaged in the development and production of electronic
devices, will ship the CX3225SB miniature low-frequency quartz crystal
unit, the world's first miniature, and smallest(*1), crystal unit
which oscillates in the 4MHz frequency range. At one twenty-seventh
the size of conventional units, the CX3225SB provides stable frequency
sources for applications that require compact size and power savings,
such as portable DVD's, hand-held game-players, PDA's and cellular
handsets.
As no small quartz
crystal unit was oscillating at this frequency, Kyocera Kinseki divided
higher frequencies, such as 16MHz, using IC, to obtain 4MHz. If small
crystal units oscillate at 4MHz directly, the dividing process can
be omitted. Based on this, the CX3225SB reduces the power consumption
of the overall device by approximately 30%(*2). Moreover, the CX3225SB
complies with the RoHS Directive, the European Union's Restriction
of Certain Hazardous Substances, and is compatible with the reflow
profile of lead-free soldering.
Lame-mode Oscillation
Masahiko Goto
of the Kyocera Kinseki Engineering Division explains "We reviewed
all designs from the level of crystal fragments used as elements.
If crystal fragments are made thinner in conventional thickness-shear
mode oscillation, the oscillation frequency will increase, so products
cannot be made smaller. We consequently decided to introduce Lame-mode
oscillation, which has yet to find widespread application in the industry."
Lame-mode oscillation possesses a different oscillation pattern from
the thickness-shear mode oscillation, which has been the most common
approach in crystal units.
"There are
many types of oscillation patterns, including face shear, flexture,
extensional, and thickness shear. Considering the two factors of compact
size and low frequency, we presumed that the Lame-mode oscillation
would be the most appropriate. We conducted an analysis using our
simulation technology, and concluded that the Lame-mode oscillation
is superior to face shear, flexture, and extensional even in frequency
temperature characteristics," says Goto. "This product is
not as small as some ceramic oscillators, but it outperforms those
ceramic oscillators in accuracy and stability, in frequency tolerance
and frequency temperature characteristics at room temperature. We
hope that this product will enable smaller digital mobile devices
and improve performance, as demand is expected to grow in the future."
Miniature Support
for Low Frequencies
With cellular
handsets and other digital devices becoming increasingly compact,
and with ongoing needs for power savings, there has been growing demand
for quartz crystal units that support greater needs. As one of the
key components of digital devices, quartz crystal units can make them
smaller and reduce the power consumption of batteries by providing
support for low frequencies. As the frequency falls, however, the
element normally becomes larger. At present, there are few quartz
crystal units on the market that meet the twin demands of compact
size and support for low frequency.
Kyocera Kinseki,
a company that specializes in crystal materials and components and
is 100% owned by Kyocera, has responded to this demand, applying its
advanced technologies in the simulation, etching, and production of
small crystal units that have been developed over many years. The
result is the successful development of this miniature low-frequency
quartz crystal unit. This product dramatically reduces capacity to
one twenty-seventh compared with the company's conventional product,
while oscillating at low frequencies around 4MHz.
Samples of CX3225SB
will ship from November. Mass production is scheduled to commence
in April 2006 at Kyocera Kinseki Yamagata on a monthly production
basis of 100,000 units.
CX3225SB Specifications
Dimensions: 3.2(W)
x 2.5(L) x 0.55(T)mm
Frequency range: 3.5 - 5.0MHz
Frequency tolerance: +/-30 x 10-6 (at +25C.)
Frequency tolerance over
operating temperature range: from +10 to -50 x 10-6 (ref. +25C.)
Motional series resistance: 150ohm max. - 500ohm max.
Level of drive: 10micron w max.
Load capacitance: 8pF(*3)
Operating temperature range: from -10 to +70C.
Storage temperature range: from -40 to +85C.
Schedule for sample shipment: Start in November, 2005
Main applications: Cellular handsets, tuners, PDA, handheld game
players, DVD portable players.