Abracon Reveals Updated Pierce Analyzer System (PAS) Service

Austin, Texas – Abracon, LLC (Abracon), The Heartbeat of the IoT®, a leading global manufacturer of frequency control, timing, synchronization, RF, connectivity and power solutions, announces an update to the Pierce Analyzer System (PAS) advanced board characterization service.

The Pierce Analyzer System (PAS) advanced board characterization service provides design engineers support in optimizing their circuit performance by properly determining the oscillator loop dynamics. Abracon’s engineering team developed a proprietary system that analyzes a stand-alone kHz or MHz crystal and the performance of the crystal in the customer’s closed loop oscillator circuit. The service provides a comprehensive report outlining the functional parameters of the oscillator circuit and recommended changes when applicable.

“The indirect measurement methodology employed in the upgraded system allows Abracon to conduct repeatable, accurate oscillator loop measurements on customer designs employing ultra-low-power MCU’s and ASIC’s,” said Abracon VP of Engineering Syed Raza.

Many electronic designs use off-the-shelf crystals in conjunction with the built-in oscillator circuit embedded in most microcontrollers and microprocessors, and most embedded solutions use the Pierce Oscillator configuration integrated as part of the system on chip (SOC). The advantages include cost, size and power compared to a stand-alone oscillator, while the key limitation is proper matching of the quartz crystal with the on-board oscillator and feedback components.

Implementing a commodity crystal into a typical timing requirement requires ensuring a robust design that accounts for real-world variation of key performance parameters. Measuring in-circuit crystal performance to characterize the complete frequency-selective network minimizes uncertainty and maximizes confidence in long-term system reliability.

 “The upgraded PAS is designed to significantly reduce the influence of the measurement technique on the frequency accuracy and oscillator loop stability, yielding superior system-level measurements,” Raza said.

The PAS service is conducted by Abracon and is orderable through the company’s global distribution network. Contact your local sales representative for more information.

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