Ceramic resonator
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A ceramic resonator is an electronic component that produces an oscillation at a specific frequency. It is used primarily as the source of the clock signal for digital circuits such as microprocessors.[1] Ceramic resonators are also likely to be found in timing circuitry for a wide array of applications such as TVs, VCRs, automotive electronic devices, telephones, copiers, cameras, voice synthesizers, communication equipment, remote controls and toys.
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[edit] Package
A typical ceramic resonator package has three connections. They come in both surface mount and through-hole varieties with a number of different footprints. The oscillation takes place across two of the pins (connections) and the third pin is connected to ground.[2][3]
[edit] Composition
Ceramic resonators are made of high-stability piezoelectric ceramics, generally lead zirconium titanate (PZT) which functions as a mechanical resonator. When voltage is applied, its piezoelectric "vibration behavior" causes an oscillating signal. The thickness of the ceramic substrate determines the resonant frequency of the device.
A ceramic resonator is often used in place of quartz crystals as a reference clock or signal generator in electronic circuitry because of its lower cost and smaller size. It is used on circuits where frequency specifications aren't highly critical (quartz has a 0.001% frequency tolerance, while PZT has a 0.5% tolerance).
