Maxim silicon oscillators can replace ceramic resonators

Maxim Integrated Products has introduced the MAX7387-MAX7391 family of silicon oscillators, which offer the supervisory functions of medium-accuracy silicon oscillators in a single, surface-mount microMAX package.

The devices switch frequencies and range from 32 kHz for low-power modes to 16 MHz in high-speed mode. Because they don’t use external high-impedance nodes, as ceramic resonator circuits often do, they are less susceptible to dirt, humidity and high-EMI/ESD conditions, thus they are suited for high-reliability applications. Because the oscillators don’t rely on mechanical methods, they are less sensitive to vibration and shock.

The oscillators include a reset output to interface with a microcontroller, power-fail detection to alert the system of an impending power failure, and a watchdog to monitor the health of the system. They are guaranteed for operation over the -55 °C to +135 °C temperature range and specified from -40 °C to +125 °C.