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Epson has introduced the OG7050CAN, an oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) that consumes 56 per cent less power than earlier products in its OG1409 series. The new OCXO is 85 per cent smaller by cubic volume, making it well-suited for reference signal applications in advanced communication systems.
The OG7050CAN, measuring just 7.0 × 5.0mm with a height of 3.3mm, is designed to meet the stringent accuracy and stability requirements of wired and wireless communication facilities, such as base stations and data centres.
As communication traffic increases with the adoption of 5G, the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), the use of Ai in data centres, and the anticipated introduction of 6G, power consumption in these facilities is also expected to grow. Low-power OCXOs like the OG7050CAN are becoming essential for reducing energy demands while maintaining performance.
Epson leveraged its expertise in crystal device, semiconductor, and mounting technologies to create an oscillator that reduces power usage from 0.43W in earlier models to 0.2W at 25℃. The design also minimises size, with the cubic volume of the oven reduced by 96 per cent.
A major breakthrough was the redesign of the crystal unit. Unlike traditional circular SC-cut crystal units, which required larger ovens and more power, Epson developed a rectangular SC-cut crystal unit that is 90 per cent smaller. This smaller crystal unit is more resistant to thermal shock and vibration, ensuring high stability while consuming less energy.
The team focused on developing a low-power oven structure, optimising both oscillator and heater integrated circuits to maintain a stable temperature. Epson also used a bonding adhesive with low thermal conductivity to reduce heat loss and improve insulation within the OCXO package.
By switching from analogue to digital temperature control, Epson achieved greater stability in the crystal unit’s temperature, further reducing frequency drift caused by ambient temperature fluctuations. The frequency/temperature characteristics of the OCXO improved significantly, from ±50 × 10⁻⁹ in earlier products to ±3 × 10⁻⁹ in the OG7050CAN.
These improvements translate to faster startup times, with the SC-cut crystal unit reaching frequency stability five times faster than earlier products. The OCXO’s reduced size and power consumption make it a valuable addition to next-generation communication infrastructure, addressing the growing energy demands of base stations and data centres.
Features of the OG7050CAN
Key specifications include:
- Low power consumption: 0.2W at 25℃ in still air
- Compact size: 7.0 × 5.0 × 3.3mm
- Frequency/temperature characteristics: ±3 × 10⁻⁹
- Fast startup time: Frequency stabilises to within ±20 × 10⁻⁹ in 30 seconds
- PLL functionality for output frequencies between 1MHz and 170MHz
- Jitter reduction to control noise deterioration from the PLL
Last Updated on January 17, 2025 by Nick Ross
