MEMS Timing Frequently Asked Questions

MEMS stands for "Micro Electro Mechanical Systems".  It is a technology that utilizes microfabrication to create ultra miniaturized devices.

No.  MEMS can be found in application such as inkjet printers, automobiles, projectors, microphones, and is widely used in nearly every smartphone.  Gyroscopes, GPS, pressure sensors, biochips and inertial sensors in cardiac pacemakers… MEMS technology is found in a wide variety of applications.

One of the biggest advantages of MEMS is its extreme reliability.  For example, one of the first uses of MEMS technology can be found in Automotive airbag systems.  Reliability is a critical factor when a MEMS accelerometer is used to signal when a car airbag should or should not deploy.

 

 

 

IDT utilizes piezo-MEMS technology.  This is a technology where a thin piezo material is used to cause a MEMS structure to resonate.  This resonance occurs at an atomic level and produces an ultra pure signal.  This oscillation is the core timing technology driving IDT's MEMS oscillator.

 

 

MEMS devices start from a wafer made of silicon.  These wafer level packaged resonators are fabricated using standard semiconductor processes. This makes it possible to fabricate ultra miniature systems that are barely visible yet extremely reliable.

 

 

Replacing legacy quartz technology with MEMS allows for continued miniaturization.  In addition to higher fundamental frequencies enabled by pMEMS technology, the real breakthrough is the significant increase in reliability.  The net benefit that the customer will immediately notice is the dramatic reduction in his overall system cost.

 

 

The 4MA series MEMS oscillators support LVDS and LVPECL type outputs.  These are pin-for-pin compatible and drop into standard 6-pin SMD footprints.

 

Yes.  Both the standard 7050 and the smaller 5032 size packages are supported.

 

 

Yes.  Many non-standard frequencies can be supported.  Contact IDT or your sales representative for more details.

 

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Yes.  Contact IDT or your sales representative to inquire about lead times and inventory.

Yes.

 

Yes.  IDT's MEMS oscillators are compliant to standard 260C reflow process and is MSL-1 compliant.

 

No.  IDT's MEMS oscillators are not subject to activity dips since IDT's MEMS oscillation are determined by the material properties of silicon and largely independent of the piezo-electric layer.