※The image is for illustration purposes.

Introduction

SoC（System on a Chip）are integrated into all kinds of electronic devices, such as smartphones, wearable devices, and automotive equipment. Their evolution has been remarkable, and they are now recognized not just as simple integrated circuits, but　as the key to simultaneously achieving the "miniaturization," "high performance," and "low power consumption" of electronic devices.

In recent years, the demand for designs that operate at low voltage and low power consumption has been driven by significant changes in the environment surrounding product development, including the pursuit of energy efficiency, stricter thermal design requirements, and the need to adapt to the era of autonomous driving and AI.

This series will start with the basics of what SoC is and, in two parts, explain why low power and low voltage operation are required for SoCs, along with the reasons and technical background behind it.

What is SoC?

SoC（System on a Chip）is a technology that integrates components necessary for devices like smartphones and IoT devices--such as the CPU, GPU, and communication functions--into a single chip.

In the past, the various functions of computers and electronic devices were constructed as independent semiconductor chips, such as the CPU, GPU, memory, and communication modules, and were arranged on a circuit board. To use an analogy, it is like a "Tool set", where each function exists as an individual chip.

On the other hand, SoC is like an "Army knife (multi-tool)," which compactly integrates all the necessary tools. By combining the functions into one, it enables device miniaturization, faster processing, and power efficiency.

SoCs are widely used across various fields, including smartphones, tablets, wearable devices, IoT gadgets, automotive ECUs (Engine Control Units), ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), and home appliances.

Recently, SoCs with built-in accelerators for AI (Artificial Intelligence) processing and machine learning have emerged and play a vital role in applications such as edge computing.

Main Components of SoC

SoC integrates the following essential components:

1. Central Processing Unit, CPU - Handles computational processes for the system and executes programs.
2. Graphics Processing Unit, GPU - A dedicated processor for high-speed image processing and 3D rendering, also used in gaming, video playback, and AI processing.
3. Memory（RAM・ROM） -RAM temporarily stores data for fast access by the CPU, while ROM stores firmware and boot programs.
4. I/O Interfaces - Manages diverse input/output functions such as USB, HDMI, audio output, display, and camera interfaces.
5. Wireless Communication Modules - Integrates Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE/5G modules for communication functionalities.
6. Power Management Circuitry - Optimizes power supply across the SoC and reduces power consumption.

Role of Crystal Devices in an SoC

To ensure proper functioning of SoC, a stable clock signal is essential. The crystal device, crystal unit or crystal oscillator, generates this clock signal. Crystal devices provide stable vibrations at specific frequencies, supporting the accurate timing of the operation of various components within the SoC.

Functions and Roles of Crystal Devices

1. Clock Signal Generation: Crystal oscillators generate clock signals while the CPU and GPU require clock speeds in the GHz range and communication modules need MHz or kHz signals.
2. High-Precision Frequency Control: Wireless communication modules, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, LTE/5G, etc., must maintain frequency with an accuracy of several parts per million (ppm), and crystal devices significantly contribute to communication quality.
3. System Synchronization: Crystal devices play a role in synchronizing blocks with precise timing when different functional blocks in the SoC operate at different clock speeds.
4. Contribution to Low Power Consumption: Supplying high-precision clocks with low power consumption is a crucial factor, especially for battery-powered mobile devices.

Introduction to NDK Crystal Devices Optimized for SoC

We have developed crystal oscillators that meet the low power consumption and low voltage drive requirements demanded by SoCs. The specific features are as follows:
For details, please refer to the press release,Development of Low Voltage + 0.9V Drive 2.0×1.6mm Crystal Oscillators Compliant with AEC-Q100/Q200 Quality-Specification NZ2016SFA and NZ2016SF.

Product features

・Compatible with low-voltage drive (0.9 to 1.5V)
・Applicable for automotive safety applications
・Supports high temperatures of +125°C

Applications・Markets

・ADAS

・SoC（System on a Chip）Peripheral reference clock

Sample・Mass Production Schedule

・Sample available

・Mass Production Schedule：Expected in April 2025

Conclusion

SoC (System on a Chip) is a technology that integrates processors, memory, communication modules, and other components into a single chip, and is widely used in smartphones, IoT devices, automotive systems, and more. To ensure the proper functioning of an SoC, a stable clock signal is essential, and crystal devices are responsible for providing this signal.

Crystal devices contribute to clock generation, high-precision timing control, system synchronization, and power efficiency, making them a key element in maximizing the performance of SoC. Especially, applications that require wireless communication and high-precision data processing, the quality of crystal devices significantly affects the overall performance of the system.

As SoC technology continues to evolve, the technology of crystal devices is also advancing, becoming the foundation that supports the development of various electronic devices. NDK will continue to develop crystal devices with the necessary features for SoCs, working tirelessly to meet the growing demands of the industry.

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E-Mail：newsrelease@ndk.com