Differences between ceramic resonators and quartz crystal timer

Resonators could be divided into quartz crystal timers and ceramic resonators. 

quartz crystal timer refers to the quartz crystal timer made of quartz material, commonly known as quartz crystal timer. It plays the role of frequency generation, has the characteristics of high stability and good anti-interference performance, and is widely used in various electronic products. Ceramic quartz crystal timer is composed of piezoelectric body and built-in capacitor. According to customer's requirements, there is only piezoelectric body without built in capacitor. Though they both called resonators, there are several differences between them.

Firstly, different materials. quartz crystal timer is made by the piezoelectric effect of quartz crystal while ceramic quartz crystal timer will give the fine powder piezoelectric effect, burning to form the size needed.

Secondly, different frequency accuracy. The precision of quartz crystal timer can reach up to 10ppm, and that of temperature compensated quartz crystal timer can reach 0.2ppm. It can be used in high precision instruments and equipment,  such as 5G network base station, aerospace aircraft, satellite equipment, etc. However, the accuracy of ceramic quartz crystal timer can only meet to three decimal places, expressed in kHz, Generally speaking. In terms of technical parameters, quartz crystal timer can replace ceramic quartz crystal timer, but ceramic quartz crystal timer is not necessarily able to replace quartz crystal timer. Ceramic quartz crystal timer is mostly used in TV remote control, toy products and other products that do not require high precision, while  quartz crystal timer is needed in consumer electronic products such as instruments, communications and other products that require high precision. At the same frequency, their price has a lot to do with the package (DIP and SMD). When the package is DIP or SMD, the ceramic quartz crystal timer is much lower than the quartz crystal timer.

Thirdly, different starting time. The starting time of ceramic quartz crystal timer is short. It will start immediately after power on, and the time is generally in nanosecond level. Compared with quartz crystal timer, the response time of ceramic quartz crystal timer is faster than it, which is a great advantage of ceramic quartz crystal timer.

Finally, different internal structure. Quartz crystal structure: piezoelectric body, no built-in capacitor.