COVER STORY Closer to the cutting edge


Golledge Electronics explain how frequency products can complement forward thinking design within new applications and facilitate development of future technologies


F


requency products have historically rarely been the highest priority for a design engineer or indeed for a


purchaser. And yet as RF integration becomes ever-more prevalent within both consumer and industrial applications, the frequency components that are responsible for the quality of communication within these devices are fast becoming urgently important. These days it’s likely a designer will need to check the limit of the frequency technology they want to use before they begin laying out boards, and at Golledge it’s a personal mission to roll back those limitations as far as we can. The technology we can offer is developing fast, and with each new design it gets even better.


Highest frequency fundamentals in miniature surface mount packages It’s a classic problem; you’re designing for an application that calls for both high frequency, with either MHz or GHz output, but also low phase noise at these frequencies to ensure signal fidelity. We often get asked for frequency components that can fulfil both of these strict criteria, particularly for applications such as transmitter design where engineers really


need the ability to reach the higher frequencies without compromising their design by building in extra noise. In these instances we would always


recommend wherever possible using a fundamental mode crystal or an oscillator that incorporates a fundamental mode crystal and working to minimise the amount of PLL multiplication needed. Recent developments in inverted mesa technology mean it’s now possible to offer engineers our GSX-328, a fundamental crystal available up to 315MHz that can be used to create frequency sources with very low phase noise. For engineers who want a complete oscillator solution our GXO-3306 is formed of a fundamental crystal with in- built exceptionally low noise IC, meaning excellent jitter performance for audio applications. The brilliant thing about both of these products is the size, with footprints of only 2.5x2.0mm and 3.2x2.5mm, these miniature packages mean you don’t need to compromise on board space to achieve top-drawer functionality.


Time saving: accurate timing in one tiny, power-saving solution There are two camps when it comes to real time clock (RTC) applications: those engineers that develop their own solution


Image 1: Phase noise plot of the GXO-3306 showing excellent phase noise floor of -175dBc/Hz @ 1MHz and jitter performance of 0.04ps typical (12kHz ~ 5.0MHz)


and only require a 32.768kHz crystal such as our GSX-315 to power it, and those who would prefer to design in an all-in-one solution and save themselves time through avoiding matching, reducing the size of BoM, and reducing assembly costs. At Golledge we are more than happy to cater for both solutions and we therefore offer the best in RTC module technology to make sure our engineers aren’t left with a one-sided choice. Through our partnership with


Microcrystal we are able to offer both the world’s smallest package RTC modules, available at sizes as small as a 3.2x1.5mm footprint, and also the world’s lowest power, with power supply options available in uncompensated modules as low as 17nA offered by the RV1805C3. If the engineer wants to go further and also request temperature compensation as part of the module then we can still offer extremely low power specifications. The RV8803C7 combines temperature compensation with a supply current requirement of only 240nA, the smallest package size, and a wide range of additional functionality including clock and calendar, temperature sensing, alarm and timer, and control flag functions. An RTC may not be appropriate for all situations but we do know that by combining so much functionality within one small package, engineers who do choose the all-in-one option are left with more time to refine the rest of their design and channel their creativity into developing methods of achieving cutting-edge technology.


Image 3: The specially cut tuning fork of the CM9V 1.6 x 1.0mm watch crystal allows for ultra-miniaturisation 8 June 2017 Components in Electronics


Combatting ever more extreme conditions Today’s technology is quickly expanding into more and more extreme environments where components need to withstand not only extremely high temperatures but also very high levels of shock and vibration, often at the same time. Down hole is the classic example of the type of application that needs these types of components, however we also see enquiries for smart city-based technology such as railway balise. The latest developments in mounting and glue technology make a real difference when offering components for use within these environments. For example, the CC6A-T1AH 3.5x2.2mm surface mount crystal for extreme environments functions perfectly over an operating temperature range of -55 to +200ºC, and can withstand shock of up to 10,000g and vibration measurements of 40g rms 10.0 ~ 2,000Hz. It is the special mounting mechanisms used


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