TKD Differential Crystal Oscillator Products: Breakthroughs and Applications in the Optical Module Field
Classification:
Release Time：2025-12-04
Although quartz crystal oscillators account for only a small proportion (1%–5%) in optical modules, they are critical components that ensure the stable operation of high-speed optical communication systems.
In the rapidly growing optoelectronics industry in recent years, optical modules—being crucial foundational components—have seen their application scope expand steadily. From data centers to 5G communications, their indispensable role is evident everywhere. At the telecommunications end, these include video optical transceivers, wireless base stations, transmission systems, and PON networks. Fiber optic transceiver Other equipment includes servers, switches and routers related to data centers, as well as base station equipment—these have emerged in recent years on the internet side. The global optical module market is expected to reach US$23.5 billion by 2025, with AI server optical modules set to experience significant growth. The 1.6T optical module is projected to exceed 10 million units by 2026, driving rapid growth in demand for high-frequency differential crystal oscillators.
01
The Function and Importance of Quartz Crystal Oscillators
● Time-of-day clock signal provided: The quartz crystal oscillator provides a high-precision reference clock for critical chips such as DSPs, FPGAs, and MCUs inside the optical module, ensuring coordinated operation of all functional modules.
● Performance parameter requirements: The frequency error of the 100G QSFP28 optical module’s crystal oscillator must be kept within ±20 ppm, the phase noise must reach -130 dBc/Hz at a 10 kHz offset, and the jitter must be controlled within 1 ps RMS. 400G/800G modules have even more stringent performance requirements.
● System stability assurance: A crystal oscillator failure can lead to issues such as abnormal optical power, unstable links, and increased bit error rates. Optical module manufacturers must conduct rigorous high- and low-temperature tests (from -40°C to 105°C), vibration tests, phase noise tests, and more.
● Key Performance Indicators: The 1.6T optical module requires a differential crystal oscillator based on photolithography technology, with key frequency points of 156.25 MHz and 312.5 MHz. To ensure signal integrity over long-distance transmission, the oscillator’s phase jitter must be below 64 femtoseconds (with a typical value ideally reaching as low as 35 femtoseconds), and its frequency accuracy must be within ±20 ppm. Moreover, the oscillator must operate stably over an industrial-grade wide temperature range from -40°C to 105°C. At the same time, to accommodate the trend toward module miniaturization, the oscillator must be packaged in a size of 2.5 x 2.0 mm or smaller. These high requirements are directly related to the optical module’s transmission distance, bit error rate, and signal integrity.
02
Technology Development Trends
● Trend toward higher frequencies: As the demand for AI computing power grows, optical module rates are evolving from 100G to 400G, 800G, and even 1.6T, placing ever-increasing demands on oscillator frequencies. An 800G optical module requires a high-frequency differential crystal oscillator at 156.25 MHz, while a 1.6T optical module necessitates even higher frequencies.
● Miniaturized packaging: The package size of crystal oscillators has evolved from the traditional 7.0×5.0mm to smaller sizes such as 2.5×2.0mm and even 1.6×1.2mm. TKD has already launched high-frequency products in the 2520 package, meeting the space constraints of 800G/1.6T optical modules.
● Wide-temperature stability: Expanding from the commercial-grade temperature range of 0°C to 70°C to the industrial-grade range of -40°C to 105°C—or even wider—to accommodate the complex environments of data centers and outdoor deployments, thereby meeting the stable operational requirements of optical modules under various temperature conditions.
● Competitive landscape between quartz crystal oscillators and MEMS crystal oscillators: Traditional quartz crystal oscillators, with their advantages of high frequency (>200 MHz) and high precision, continue to dominate the high-end optical module market. MEMS oscillators, on the other hand, are gradually gaining traction in mid- and low-end applications thanks to their features such as vibration and shock resistance, low power consumption, and small size. The two types will form a complementary relationship, ultimately leading to differentiated competition.
03
Advantages of Taijing Optical Module Crystal Oscillators
Although quartz crystal oscillators account for only a small proportion (1%–5%) in optical modules, they are critical components that ensure the stable operation of high-speed optical communication systems. With the explosive growth in demand for AI computing power and the increasing data rates of optical modules, high-frequency differential crystal oscillators will become the key driver of market growth, with the market size expected to reach between 2 billion and 5 billion U.S. dollars. To meet the increasingly stringent timing signal requirements in high-speed data transmission and processing scenarios, TKD has launched a series of differential crystal oscillators featuring low jitter, high precision, high frequency, miniaturization, and high-temperature resistance, providing highly reliable clock solutions for relevant application scenarios.
● Specifically designed for the stringent requirements of high-speed optical modules and optical communications, here is our performance guide:
Common frequency points for optical modules: 156.25 MHz, 312.5 MHz , 625M;
Frequency stability ±20 PPM, with an aging rate of only ±3 PPM/year. It exhibits stable oscillation characteristics even under extreme environmental conditions, achieving oscillation startup within 3 ms. It features high precision, high stability, and high reliability.
Complete package sizes It offers a variety of package sizes—3225/2520/2016—to meet the demand for miniaturization of optical modules.
Compatible with multiple voltages. 1.8V–3.3V, featuring tri-state output TTL /HCOMS compatible;
Operating temperature Supports temperatures ranging from -40℃ to +85℃ and from -40℃ to 105℃, enabling continuous and stable operation even in harsh environments and minimizing the occurrence of “temperature drift.” This ensures that optical modules can function normally under a wide temperature range, meeting the high-temperature requirements.
★ Features of the all-domestic solution:
1. 100% domestically produced chips and packaging: Utilizing lithographically engineered high-frequency chips developed in-house, with both packaging materials and processes entirely sourced from domestic suppliers.
2. Fully independent intellectual property rights: We have mastered the core technologies throughout the entire process—from product design and assembly to product testing—without relying on external parties.
3. Rapid Response and Flexible Customization: Relying on a local supply chain, we support customers in quickly obtaining samples, conducting small-batch pilot production, and achieving scalable delivery.
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