The first-generation MEMS oscillator solutions utilize resonators whose frequency differs quickly in response to the temperature variations typically in the 15 to 30ppm/degC range. Quartz crystals display a much lower sensitivity in 0.25ppm to 1ppm range. In order to compensate for these broad frequency variations, traditional MEMS based oscillators rely on the complex temperature sensing and typically, a power-hungry fractional-N synthesizer to keep adjusting oscillator output frequency. The company has developed a completely passive, zero power; no dedicated electronic circuitry, mechanical temperature compensation method that improves 30x over other MEMS solutions to match quartz-crystal performance.
The CMEMS-ZeroThermal technology is based on combination of manufacturing and the design intellectual property perfected by company. This technology is easy to implement, cheap to manufacture and is demonstrated across a broad range of resonator designs from low kilohertz to numerous hundred megahertz.
“Until now, MEMS technology could not compete for ultra-low-power sleep clock applications,” said Silicon Clocks chief executive officer Didier Lacroix. “Silicon Clocks has carefully planned its technology development to leapfrog over solutions in the market. Our CMEMS-ZeroThermal™ addresses traditional MEMS limitations to enable next generation, high-accuracy, integrated solutions with improved power and reduced footprint compared with quartz crystal.”
“The CMEMS-ZeroThermal™ technology is a major achievement—drastically increasing the footprint for the company’s MEMS-based timing solutions across a wider range of applications from watches, to timing solutions with integrated low-power management, to the high-precision timing market traditionally serviced by quartz crystal,” said Mark Sherwood, principal associate at CS &A LLC, a market analyst and consultant focused on Semiconductor Timing.
