AEL Improves VCTCXOs For Stable Femtocell Applications

21st March 2013

ES Admin

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Following substantial development, AEL Crystals Ltd announces improved performance for its VT53 Range of VCTCXOs primarily aimed at the growing Smallcell market. A Smallcell is a small, cellular base station, typically used in homes or enterprise / small businesses. It connects to the service provider’s network via broadband (such as DSL).

Current designs typically support 2 to 4 active mobile phones (in a residential setting), and 8 to 16 active mobile phones (in enterprise settings). A femtocell allows service providers to extend service coverage indoors, opening up access that could otherwise be limited or unavailable altogether.

Initially available in the frequency range 10 to 26MHz, this range of oscillators are packaged in an ultra-compact 5.0 x 3.2mm format.

The small form factor has exceptional performance. The VCTCXOs are rated at +/-100ppb (+/-0.10ppm) stability over a temperature range of +30oC to +65oC; rising to +/-250ppb, +/-0.25ppm when operating at temperatures from -40oC to +80oC.

The VCTCXOs have been characterized for use with the growing range of chipsets available for femtocell development, to increase a network’s data range and throughput.

In addition to base stations, they can be used in ultra-high stability applications. Stability, with respect to load and voltage changes. has been improved to meet +/-10ppb and aging is specified to +/-3.0ppm maximum over 10 years.

The VCTCXOs are available with clipped sine outputs and offer low power consumption (<2.0mA, <6.0mW typical). They operate from 3.3V and have excellent hysteresis and holdover characteristics.

AEL Crystals is currently developing the range, by extending the temperature range and reducing input voltage in sampling.

Samples are available ex stock now, for 19.2MHz, 20.0MHz and 26.0MHz versions.