According to recent reports, the National Institute of Information and Communication Technology (NICT) has partnered with Tohoku University and Tokyo Institute of Technology to establish a research group focused on piezoelectric materials. Recently, this collaborative team made a breakthrough by developing an ultra-small atomic clock system that outperforms existing models by an order of magnitude in terms of performance. Due to its compact size and low power consumption, this innovative atomic clock is well-suited for use in smartphones, sensor networks, and robotic control systems.
The research team developed a microwave oscillator using a piezoelectric thin film resonator (FBAR), which demonstrates excellent resonance performance in the 3.5 GHz band and can serve as an atomic frequency standard. Notably, the design eliminates the need for external crystal oscillators or PLL multiplier circuits, resulting in a much simpler peripheral circuit configuration.
*Overview of MEMS atomic clock principle and microwave oscillator composition (Source: NICT)*
Compared to commercial atomic clocks, this new MEMS atomic clock chip achieves a reduction of approximately 30% in size and 50% in power consumption. Currently, piezoelectric thin film resonators (FBARs) and amplifiers are connected via wire bonding, but the team aims to integrate them into a single chip in the future, further enhancing efficiency and miniaturization.
According to the research team, the frequency stability of this MEMS atomic clock is an order of magnitude better than that of commercial models. The evaluation results of the FBAR oscillator show stable oscillation performance in the 3.4 GHz band, with a phase noise of 140 dBc/Hz at a 1 MHz offset frequency.
Looking ahead, the research team plans to simplify and integrate digital control systems to further reduce power consumption. They also aim to accelerate development efforts to transition from lab prototypes to mass-produced, chip-sized atomic clocks, making this technology more accessible and widely applicable in the near future.
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