Quartz Crystal Modelling

Quartz crystals used in oscillators can be modelled as a series RLC circuit with a parasitic packaging capacitance (C2) in parallel, as shown in figure 1.

This equivalent circuit exhibits both series and parallel resonance. Series resonance occurs at the frequency where the reactances of L1 and C1 are equal. At a slightly higher frequency, parallel resonance occurs when the combination of L1 and C1 exhibit an inductive susceptance which resonates with C2. Assume all frequencies (f) are in radians/sec:

Series resonance: |XL1| = |XC1|

fsL1 = 1/(fsC1)
fs= (L1*C1)-1/2

Parallel Resonance: |XC2| = |XL1 + XC1| = |XL1| - |XC1|

1/(fpC2) = (fpL1)-1/(fpC1)

1/(fpC2) + 1/(fpC1) = fpL1

(1/C1)(1+C1/C2) = (fp)2L1

(1+C1/C2)/(C1*L1) = (1+C1/C2)(fs)2=(fp)2

or,

fp= fs(1+C1/C2)1/2

since C1<<C2, we can approximate (1+C1/C2)1/2= 1+(1/2)(C1/C2), thus:

fp= fs + df

where df = (1/2)(C1/C2)fs

If we assume that the Pierce oscillator circuit operates approximately midway between series and parallel resonances, it is possible to determine values which can make the model of figure 1 useful. Also assume the series resistance of the crystal is about 600 ohms, the packaging capacitance is 8 pF,and the Q is approximately 10,000.

If we accurately measure the frequency of operation of the Pierce oscillator as, say, 75398223 r/s, then

XL= f*L1 = Q*R1

thus

L1 = Q*R1/f = 10,000*600/75398223 = .07957747 Henry

If we say L1 = .08 Henry, then Q will not exactly equal 104 but that's OK. We must find C1 in two steps. First, find an approximate value by recognizing that f is approximately equal to fs. Then C1 can be computed approximately by

C1 = 1/(L1*f2) = 1/((0.08)(75398223)2) = 2.2 fF (approximately)

We can now approximate df,

df = (1/2)(C1/C2)f = (0.5)(2.2E-15/8E-12/)(75.4E6) = 10368 r/s

If the operating frequency of the circuit is midway between series and parallel resonance, then the series resonance frequency must be equal to the operating frequency minus df/2, or 75393039 r/s. We can now use this value of fs to compute a precise value to use for C1:

C1 = 1/(L1*(fs)2) = 1/((0.08)(75393039)2) = 2.199113 fF

Our model thus contains:

L1 = 0.08 H

C1 = 2.199113 fF

R1 = 600 ohms

C2 = 8 pF

fs = 75393039 r/s

df = 10362 r/s

fp = fs + df = 75393039 r/s + 10362 r/s = 75403401 r/s