Crystal VS Resonator

Crystal and resonator are mainly used as clock sources. Though both crystal and resonator are widely used, they have many differences between them. People hardly know the difference between the two.

One can come across a wide range of difference between resonators and crystals. One of the main differences that can be seen between crystal and resonator is in the accuracy. When crystals come with a small tolerance of 30 to 50 ppm, resonators come with tolerance of one per cent of the nominal frequency. Unlike the resonators, crystals are known to be more accurate. Another difference that can be seen is that resonators come with 0.1 per cent temperature stability and the crystals come with 0.005 per cent temperature stability.

When resonators are not that sensitive, the crystals are quite sensitive. The two are also different in their size. The resonators are smaller when compared to crystals.

The resonators need internal capacitors or sometimes an external one for its operations. On the other hand, the crystals need external capacitors.

When comparing the price, the resonators come cheap than the crystals. This is because the resonators are easy to make than the crystals. The resonators are known to be good for low speed serial ports whereas crystals are known to be good for high-speed serial ports. Unlike the crystals, the resonators have better ESD tolerance. The resonators also come with good shock and vibration tolerance when compared to crystals.

The crystals are very much suitable for time keeping, RTC and wall clocks. On the other hand, resonators are not suitable for these types of timekeepers.

Summary

1. Unlike the resonators, crystals are known to be more accurate. When crystals come with a small tolerance of 30 to 50 ppm, resonators come with tolerance of one per cent of the nominal frequency.
2. The crystals are very much suitable for time keeping, RTC and wall clocks. On the other hand, resonators are not suitable for these types of timekeepers.
3. When comparing the price, the resonators come cheap than the crystals.
4. The resonators are smaller when compared to crystals.
5. The resonators are known to be good for low speed serial ports whereas crystals are known to be good for high-speed serial ports.
6. Unlike the crystals, the resonators have better ESD tolerance. The resonators also come with good shock and vibration tolerance when compared to crystals.
7. When resonators are not that sensitive, the crystals are quite sensitive

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