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Vectron International has announced its smallest temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) to date. The new VTM3 TCXO exhibits similar phase noise performance to Vectron's proven VTC4 and VTC1 TCXOs, but in a 50 percent smaller package — 3.2 mm x 2.5 mm — enabling customers in the communications, test and military markets to benefit from a smaller, lower-power oscillator without compromising tight stability and excellent phase-noise performance.

A key challenge in miniaturizing any oscillator platform is that oscillator phase noise usually increases as its size is reduced. Leveraging advanced crystal design and simulation techniques, Vectron was able to ensure that the VTM3 would exhibit phase noise performance comparable to its previous VTC1 and VTC4 generations — with a phase noise floor of -155 dBc/Hz — in a significantly smaller package. At the same time, the new VTM3 improves further upon earlier TCXO generations by providing enhanced frequency stabilization between 8 MHz to 45 MHz, over a temperature range of -30 degrees to +80 degrees Celsius at equal to or better than ±0.5 ppm.

The new VTM3 TCXO is optimized for use in a wide range of wireless RF applications, including GPS, security/tracking, RFID, and test equipment. Generally available as a fixed-frequency TCXO, the VTM3 can be ordered with a voltage-controlled crystal oscillator function for applications such as seismic exploration, base station, video transport and WiMAX timing, where it can be used in a PLL — or where the output frequency needs fine-tune adjustments. Current consumption is typically 1 milliampere. Additional features include 2.8-, 3.0-, or 3.3-VDC supply voltage, an output frequency range of 8 to 45 MHz and a hermetically sealed ceramic SMD package with gold-over-nickel contact pads that is compliant with the RoHS directive and is thereby fully compatible with lead-free assembly.