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Switch to the Smaller 1610 Size From KDS

The image shows smaller 1610 size quartz crystals DST1610A from KDS.

The Future of 32kHz Crystals Lies In the Smaller 1610 Size

KDS has the largest production capacity for the 1610 size on the market today and plans to increase capacity by 50% next year, which significantly improves the availability of 32kHz crystals.

The most demanded packages in the European market are the 3215 or 2012 sizes, but production capacity is limited. In particular, 32.768kHz crystals (sometimes called "tuning fork Xtal") used for watches are the most critical bottleneck in the quartz crystal market today.

How does this shortage come about? Apart from the situation caused by CODIV-19, there are two reasons.

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Two Reasons for the Current Bottleneck

One is the 5G boom that started in 2019. Today, almost all new smartphones are adapted to the 5G mobile network. Already since 2019, 32kHz crystals have been used to prepare for the 5G boom.

Another reason is the shortage of ceramic packages. Today, the main size of 32kHz crystals is 3215 (3.2x1.5mm) and 2012 (2.0x1.2mm).  For a decade, this trend in crystal sizes has remained unchanged, but prices have fallen. This also affects the suppliers of ceramic packages. These sizes are already mature in the market and considering the future trend, it is difficult for both quartz and material suppliers to increase production capacity for the 3215 and 2012 sizes.

KDS Increases the Production Capacity of Size 1610 

The future of 32.768kHz quartz lies in the smaller 1610 size (1.6x1.0mm), to which Daishinku (known as KDS), one of the big players in the crystal market, has responded by increasing production capacity. KDS already has the largest share of 1610-32kHz crystals with its DST1610A product, and will increase its current production capacity by 50% from 2022.

So for upcoming projects using 32kHz crystals, the 1610 size will be the main consideration. However, we also recommend you consider switching for current projects if you have space in your current PCB design or urgent production needs. Current lead times for 3215 and 2012 sizes are 60 weeks, more than a year. Your design change will result in much faster delivery.

If you change 3215 and 2012 sizes to a smaller enclosure you don't have to worry about the specifications. ESR may be an important consideration for you due to the smaller size of the crystal blank. Although the current small quartz products are sealed under vacuum conditions, the 1610 size already reaches 80kOhm as standard, which is equivalent to the larger sizes.

When You Replace Larger Sizes With Size 1610

When replacing larger sizes with the 1610 size, there are three points to be aware of:

  1. Side castellation of the terminals often helps to check the soldering junction. Due to the smaller size, side castellation is not possible with the DST1610A. The terminals are located only on the bottom side.
  2. The maximum drive level cannot be "extremely" high. This is often true for all smaller crystals, because as the crystal blank gets smaller, the drive level cannot be as strong as with larger sizes. By analyzing the oscillation circuit, it is possible to check whether the quartz is under a high drive level or not.
  3. The oscillation span may not be the same for larger sizes. As with the drive level, we recommend analyzing the circuit when you create a new layout. Often the stray capacitances of your circuit will change, which might affect the matching of crystal and oscillation circuit. However, our suppliers can check your circuit with the new 1610 size as a service.

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Your Contact Person

For more information, please refer to Yasunobu Ikuno.

Yasunobu Ikuno is application engineer and product manager
Yasunobu Ikuno Product Manager +43 186 305-276 E-MAIL