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Environmental sensitivities of quartz oscillators
1Div. of Time and Frequency, Nat. Inst. of Stand. and Technol., Boulder, CO.
Summary
Environmental factors significantly impact quartz oscillator performance, affecting signal frequency, amplitude, and noise. Understanding these sensitivities is crucial for precision oscillator applications.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Electrical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Quartz oscillators are critical components in precision timing applications.
- Their performance, characterized by signal frequency, amplitude, and noise, is susceptible to environmental influences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the physical basis for the sensitivity of quartz oscillators to various environmental factors.
- To provide representative data on oscillator sensitivity to temperature, humidity, pressure, fields, and radiation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and analysis of existing research on environmental effects on quartz oscillators.
- Compilation and presentation of representative sensitivity data for different environmental parameters.
Main Results:
- Identified key environmental factors affecting quartz oscillators: temperature, humidity, pressure, acceleration, vibration, electric and magnetic fields, load, and radiation.
- Highlighted significant variability in sensitivity across oscillator types and individual units.
- Noted complex interdependencies between environmental parameters and oscillator history.
Conclusions:
- The sensitivity of quartz oscillators to environmental factors is a complex phenomenon with significant practical implications.
- Further research is needed, particularly concerning radiation effects, to fully understand and mitigate performance degradation.
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