IDT Introduces Industry's Highest Precision All-Crystal CMOS Oscillator

Crystal Oscillator

Quartz Oscillator 3225 20M OSC

As a leading provider of essential mixed-signal semiconductor solutions, IDT (Integrated Device Technology, Inc) continues to push the boundaries of digital media innovation. Recently, the company introduced the industry’s most accurate all-silicon CMOS oscillators, achieving an impressive total frequency error of just 100ppm across temperature, voltage, and other environmental factors. This breakthrough represents a significant leap forward in timing technology.

The IDT3C02 oscillator is built on IDT's proprietary CMOS oscillator technology, replacing traditional quartz crystal-based oscillators with a single-chip CMOS IC. It offers a frequency accuracy of 100ppm or better, without the need for mechanical frequency sources or phase-locked loops (PLLs). Designed for next-generation applications such as Gigabit Ethernet, SAS, SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0), and PCI Express, this device provides a low-power, low-jitter alternative to conventional quartz oscillators. It’s especially well-suited for server and enterprise designs, as well as data communication equipment with Ethernet ports.

Fred Zust, Vice President and General Manager of IDT Communications, stated, “With its 100ppm total frequency error, the IDT3C02 marks a major milestone in the timing industry. As a strong alternative to crystal oscillators, it expands the availability of wafer-based all-silicon CMOS oscillators that were launched earlier this year, reinforcing IDT’s leadership in timing technology.”

Unlike traditional oscillators, the IDT3C02 generates high-precision on-chip frequencies without relying on piezoelectric or mechanical resonators. The device supports standard off-the-shelf CMOS processes and features a programmable architecture that allows for a wide range of configurations. One of the most important features is the factory-programmable operating frequency, which significantly reduces lead times—especially for special or rare frequencies—compared to traditional quartz solutions.

In addition, the IDT3C02 uses a unique analog core design that consumes less than 2.5mA under no-load conditions, making it a power-efficient option compared to quartz and PLL-based oscillators. It achieves an advanced phase noise performance of -140dBc/Hz at a 1MHz carrier offset. The device is available in an industry-standard 5 x 3.2mm package compatible with quartz crystals, offering a cost-effective, low-profile MSL1 plastic IC package that doesn’t require a ceramic hermetic enclosure.

The IDT3C02 also includes a low-power standby mode of 200nA (typical) and a fast start-up time of 100μs (typical). These features make it ideal for power-sensitive applications, allowing frequent power cycling to save energy. Since the device contains no moving parts and does not use mechanical or piezoelectric resonance to generate frequency, it delivers excellent shock and vibration resistance. This makes it a reliable choice for harsh environments where traditional oscillators may fail.