Column: Design with frequency components


Table 2: Crystal and oscillator design checklist to consider during design


the oscillator selection is about jitter budget, signal integrity and reference clock compliance.


Most common design parameters Selecting the right component for the application is not an easy task. It is more than “frequency = X MHz”. The choice is based on the technical requirements of the application, on the target cost of the system and, ultimately, on the business case. Focusing on the primary technical


aspect, we summarized the main considerations for the design parameters in Table 1.


Design quality Choosing the right component is the first hurdle to overtake, however it does not guarantee the quality of the design. For this purpose, we compiled a


basic checklist with simple rules that should be taken into consideration in the design phase of the oscillator section of your application board; see Table 2. It also highlights the differences between the designs with crystals and those using oscillators. In summary, although there is no


strict rule when to use crystals and when to use oscillators, it’s worth considering their pros and cons, as shown in Figure 1.


Figure 1: Pros and cons of using crystals and oscillators


This series continues in the next edition of Electronics World


www.electronicsworld.co.uk October 2025 15


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