2010 IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium Home

The International Frequency Control Symposium is the premiere venue for dissemination of new discoveries on the knowledge and methodologies of frequency control, covering such topics as:

Materials, Resonators, & Resonator Circuits

Oscillators, Synthesizers, Noise, & Circuit Techniques

Optical & Microwave Frequency Standards

Sensors & Transducers

This year, the symposium will additionally feature MEMS technology and its potential for addressing timing and frequency control applications.

In particular, on Wednesday, June 2nd, the symposium will open in the Grand Pacific Ballroom with a plenary presentation on the use of encapsulated MEMS resonators for frequency control applications.

Plenary Presentation:

Encapsulated MEMS Resonators - A Technology Path for MEMS into Frequency Control Applications

Prof. Thomas Kenny, Stanford University

Thursday, June 3rd, will be highlighted by a panel discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of MEMS and conventional quartz resonators. The panel discussion will be held from 10:20 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. in the Grand Pacific Ballroom.

Panel Discussion:

Will MEMS Replace Conventional Quartz Resonators?

Panelists:
Chair: John Vig, Consultant, USA
Adrian M. Ionescu, Nanolab, EPFL, Switzerland
Thomas Kenny, Stanford U., USA
Clark Nguyen, UC Berkeley, USA
Takeo Oita, NDK, Japan
Aaron Partridge, SiTime, USA
Rich Ruby, Avago Technologies, USA
Masako Tanaka, Epson-Toyocom, Japan
Gregory Weaver, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab., USA

Oscillators based on MEMS resonators offer benefits that are unavailable in conventional quartz resonators, such as small size, low cost, and easier integration (with IC technology). On the other hand, conventional quartz resonators offer capabilities that are not available in MEMS (at least, not yet), such as superior frequency vs. temperature stability over a wide temperature range, better short term stability, lower phase noise (both close to and far from the carrier), and lower aging. During the past decade, silicon MEMS resonators have improved greatly, while quartz MEMS resonators have also become available. At the low end of the oscillator market, both silicon MEMS and quartz MEMS are being mass produced today.

The panelists, who include experts in both MEMS and conventional quartz technologies, will compare the advantages and disadvantages of the two technologies. The answers to the question "Will MEMS Replace Conventional Quartz Resonators?" will be debated.