Temperature-Controlled Oscillator Circuit for Quartz Frequency Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oven controlled crystal oscillators face performance degradation due to high target temperatures, which affect the stability of integrated circuits (ICs) used in oscillating devices.
Innovation Solution
An oscillating device incorporating a heater, thermoelectric cooler, frequency source, temperature controlled circuit, and voltage controlled oscillation circuit, where the temperature controlled circuit adjusts the operating temperature using a heater or thermoelectric cooler based on ambient temperature ranges, and the voltage controlled oscillation circuit reduces frequency variations by generating control voltages to drive the frequency source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a high set temperature is used to maintain the quartz resonator at a predetermined target temperature, then the temperature stability of the quartz resonator is improved, but the performance of the integrated circuit (IC) degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the temperature control system into two independent parts: a thermostatic oven for the quartz resonator and a separate temperature control circuit for the IC. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the oven maintains high temperature for frequency stability while the IC operates at lower temperatures to preserve performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temperature control circuit as an intermediary between the high-temperature oven and the IC. This intermediary actively regulates the IC's temperature, preventing the high oven temperature from degrading IC performance while allowing the oven to maintain its high target temperature for quartz resonator stability
2Stability of the object's composition
If a thermostatic oven is used to maintain the quartz resonator at a predetermined target temperature, then the frequency stability of the quartz resonator is improved, but the device complexity increases due to integration of multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the temperature control circuit and voltage control circuit into a single integrated circuit (IC). This merging reduces device complexity by integrating multiple functions into one component while still providing separate temperature regulation for the quartz resonator and frequency adjustment for the IC, thereby maintaining frequency stability without excessive complexity
3Measurement precision
If the ambient temperature varies, then the frequency source experiences frequency variation, but maintaining a constant target temperature requires excessive energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control by using a voltage control circuit that adjusts the frequency source in real-time based on ambient temperature variations. Instead of maintaining a rigid constant target temperature, the system dynamically adapts the frequency output to compensate for temperature changes, reducing energy consumption while maintaining frequency accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the frequency source based on ambient temperature conditions. The voltage control circuit modifies frequency parameters dynamically in response to temperature variations, allowing the system to maintain accurate frequency output without the excessive energy consumption required by static high-temperature maintenance
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively maintains the performance of the integrated circuit by adjusting the operating temperature and reducing frequency variations, preventing degradation caused by high target temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature controlled circuit drives the heater to a target temperature to adjust an operating temperature of the frequency source
Implementation Method 2
the temperature controlled circuit drives the thermoelectric cooler to the target temperature to adjust the operating temperature of the frequency source
Implementation Method 3
the voltage controlled oscillation circuit drives the frequency source to reduce a frequency variation of the frequency source resulted from a variation of the ambient temperature
Data Source
AI summary
An oscillating device includes a heater, a thermoelectric cooler, a frequency source, a temperature controlled circuit, and a voltage controlled oscillation circuit. When the ambient temperature is in a low-temperature range, the temperature controlled circuit drives the heater to a target temperature to adjust an operating temperature of the frequency source. When the ambient temperature is in a high-temperature range, the temperature controlled circuit drives the thermoelectric cooler to the target temperature to adjust the operating temperature of the frequency source, and the voltage controlled oscillation circuit drives the frequency source to reduce a frequency variation of the frequency source resulted from the variation of the ambient temperature. Alternatively, the heater or the voltage controlled oscillation circuit may be omitted.