Q: Can MEMS replace quartz?

A: An RTC crystal is a 32.768 kHz quartz crystal used as a frequency reference for real-time clock applications and timekeeping. At SJK, we provide 32.768 kHz crystal products in both traditional cylindrical and SMD packages. Our cylindrical tuning-fork crystals are available in 2×6 mm and 3×8 mm sizes, while our SMD versions include 1610, 2012, 3215, and 7015 packages. We offer load capacitance options of 6 pF, 7 pF, 9 pF, and 12.5 pF, with standard frequency tolerances of ±10 ppm and ±20 ppm.

Our 32.768 kHz crystals are designed for applications requiring low power consumption and stable frequency performance. We also provide RTC-related products, including low-power, temperature-compensated, AEC-Q200 automotive-grade, and ultra-compact SMD solutions for industrial, automotive, IoT, and low-power embedded systems. This product range allows us to support different RTC timing and packaging requirements.

A: We calculate the external capacitors using the formula C1 = C2 = 2 × (CL - Cs), where CL is the required load capacitance and Cs represents parasitic capacitance. The parasitic capacitance is typically 3–5 pF. When selecting external capacitors for a crystal oscillator circuit, we recommend considering the required load capacitance specified for the crystal together with the oscillator circuit requirements.

At SJK, we provide crystal units for different electronic designs, including MHz crystals and 32.768 kHz crystals, as well as SMD crystal resonators in multiple package sizes. Our product portfolio supports frequency-control requirements with a focus on high precision, miniaturization, and low power consumption. By matching the crystal's load capacitance with the circuit design and calculating the external capacitors accordingly, engineers can select a suitable configuration for their application.