[time-nuts] Re: Preprogrammed fixed-frequency relatively lower noise oscillator chip

[Lux, Jim]

On 12/4/21 10:31 AM, Jeff Blaine wrote:
> I'm wondering what the modern version of a fixed-frequency oscillator 
> module is.
>
> I had used the Silicon Labs (now Skyworks) Si570 in the past which has 
> a great close-in noise footprint - but that requires I2C and some 
> glue.  The Seiko distributor-programmable type of generic parts are 
> functionally ideal - comes preprogrammed and requires minimal 
> connections to function - but they have miserable close in noise 
> characteristics.  I realize that "miserable" here is subjective of 
> course.
>
> The project at hand is a single frequency oscillator to serve as a LO 
> in a receiver.  The noise profile I'm looking for would be in the 
> range of "better than the generic PLL type $5 oscillators" and "not as 
> good as the modern equivalent to the Si570 & similar."Â  Absolutely 
> non-critical but the Seiko part in there now looks terrible starting 
> to flatten out at -40 dBc a Khz or so spaced.
>
> This answer seemed (from my recollection) easy to find back in the 
> early 2010s when I had messed with it last.  Then Abercon had some 
> decent offerings - but that is a long time ago in Electronics Progress 
> Time scale.


Probably you're thinking Abracon -they're still in business - and all 
sorts of oscillators, including MEMS.

I don't know if they make a programmable one (even "program at 
factory/distributor")