What is a quartz crystal oscillator?

A.

The main function is to convert mechanical energy and electrical energy into a basic signal source through the piezoelectric effect, providing a fixed clock signal for frequency control and timing. Any device that requires a frequency signal can utilize the oscillation of quartz crystal through its piezoelectric effect. It is an essential component for most electronic products.

It is an electronic component that uses the piezoelectric effect of quartz crystal (also known as crystal) to generate a highly precise oscillating frequency.

• A quartz crystal (referred to as "crystal" or "Xtal") is a quartz blank packaged with electrodes and an outer casing. It is also called a quartz resonator. This is a passive component and does not contain active elements, meaning it requires an external circuit to generate oscillations. Quartz crystals are typically two-pin electronic components.
• A quartz crystal oscillator (abbreviated as OSC or XO) is a module containing both the quartz crystal and the oscillation circuit, which requires a power supply and can directly output an oscillating signal. Since it contains active electronic components, the entire module is classified as an active component. Quartz oscillators are usually four-pin electronic components, with two pins for power supply, one pin for oscillation signal output, and the remaining pin either unused or for control purposes.