#MEMS from IDT aims CMOS at quartz crystals

Integrated Device Technology, Inc. (IDT) entered the all-silicon oscillator market with a line of CMOS oscillators that obsolete the ubiquitous quartz crystal that maintains a time base in most electronic devices today, but without having to resort to micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). Look for IDT's chip to begin replacing quartz crystals next year. R.C.J.

IDT's MM8102 and MM8202 offer frequency accuracies of better than 300ppm and operate a frequencies up to 133MHz. By offering both packaged and bare die, IDT claims its oscillators can eliminate the need for bulky quartz crystals in applications where space is at a premium, such as SIM cards, USB Flash drives and other serial wireline interface applications including S-ATA, PCIe, USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. Both parts consume about 2 milliAmps at 1.8V, or less than 1 microAmp in standby mode. Unlike MEMS devices, the parts are immune to shock and vibration, according to IDT (San Jose, Calif.). Other companies offering all-silicon CMOS oscillators that do not use MEMS include Silicon Laboratories Inc. (Austin, Texas), National Semiconductor Corp. (Santa Clara) and Linear Technology (Milpitas, Calif.)
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