IDT demos world’s first commercial piezoelectric MEMS oscillators

SAN JOSE, USA: Integrated Device Technology Inc. (IDT) has developed and demonstrated the world’s first commercially available oscillators incorporating piezoelectric microelectromechanical system (pMEMS) resonators. IDT’s oscillators take advantage of the pMEMS resonator’s high native frequencies, making them well-suited to replace traditional quartz-based oscillators in any application.

IDT’s pMEMS resonator technology combines the strong electromechanical coupling of the piezoelectric material with the stability and low damping of single crystal silicon to create a passive frequency source of unparalleled performance and reliability. The devices are ideal for cloud computing designs requiring high reliability and resistance to shock and vibration, consumer applications requiring multiple outputs, and communications and networking equipment that need low phase jitter.

“As the leader in silicon timing solutions, MEMS is a natural step forward in further broadening our product offerings. It addresses the $3 billion quartz replacement market and complements our industry-leading CrystalFree™ CMOS oscillator products,” said Ted Tewksbury, president and CEO of IDT. “IDT’s piezoelectric MEMS technology is a culmination of internal development with over 40 patents granted or filed to date. The MEMS timing market is expected to grow rapidly over the next several years, and we plan to garner a large share with our superior technology and strong value proposition.”

“MEMS timing has been gaining market share against quartz oscillators and crystals -- extending its reach from consumer devices to telecom infrastructure and hard disk drives. And at an impressive 72.3 percent CAGR, revenue will grow from $13.5 million in 2010 to $205 million in 2015,” said Jérémie Bouchaud, director and principal analyst for MEMS & Sensors at IHS iSuppli.

Not visible to the naked eye, IDT’s passive pMEMS resonator is the world’s smallest hermetically-sealed wafer level package (WLP) resonator, making it a fitting replacement for larger quartz-based resonators. IDT’s pMEMS oscillators will incorporate this resonator technology in industry-standard pin- and function-compatible plastic packages, increasing system design flexibility and improving time-to-market versus crystal oscillators.