Terminology » Components » Crystal vs Resonator: Key Differences Explained

Crystal vs Resonator: Key Differences Explained

crystal

resonator

oscillator

clock source

electronic circuit

This page compares Crystal vs Resonator and highlights the difference between them. Both are used as clock sources in electronic circuits.

Specifications: Crystal vs. Resonator

Here’s a table summarizing the key differences:

Feature	Crystal	Resonator
Tolerance Limit	About 30 to 50 ppm	About 1%
Accuracy	More accuracy	Less accuracy
Temperature Stability	About 0.005 percent	About 0.1 percent
Sensitivity	Highly sensitive	Not much sensitive
Size	Large in size	Smaller in size compared to crystals
Manufacturing	Difficult to manufacture	Easy to manufacture
Cost	High cost	Less cost
ESD Tolerance	Low ESD tolerance	High ESD tolerance
Tolerance against shock and vibration	Less	High
Usefulness in time keeping devices	Used in RTC, wall clocks, and time-keeping machines	Not suitable for these applications

Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCOs): Types, Characteristics, and Applications

Explore the main types of Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCOs), including RC, LC, crystal, multivibrator, and ring oscillators. Learn about their characteristics, functions, and applications in electronics.

vco

oscillator

electronic circuit

Resonator Types: Coaxial, Dielectric, Crystal, Ceramic, SAW & YIG

Explore various resonator types including coaxial, dielectric, crystal, ceramic, SAW, and YIG. Understand their working principles, applications, and key vendors for optimal RF design.

rf design

resonator

ceramic

Understanding Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillators (OCXOs)

Explore the function, specifications, and applications of Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillators (OCXOs). Learn about key specs like frequency stability and aging rate, and discover leading manufacturers.

oscillator

frequency control

ocxo