Timing for Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

Artificial intelligence technology is weaving its way into electronics and IoT connected devices, accelerating the growth of hyper-intelligent solutions. AI has made many positive contributions to innovative technological advancements all over the world. The impact of AI can be seen in many areas such as education, aerospace, agriculture, supply chain, transportation, and security to name a few. AI utilizes data processing and logic computing systems to enable automation, operational efficiencies, safety, maintenance, and functionality across many industries and applications. 

Popular markets for Artificial Intelligence technology: 

  • Agriculture: AI technology enables predictive analysis (optimal produce environments), object identification (for pest control), autonomous equipment (drones, harvesting robots), and image detection (for plant/soil deficiencies). 
     
  • Healthcare: Medical research, remote health monitoring, wearable devices, early detection, preventative care, and new treatments. 
  • Infrastructure and Cities: From construction to sustainability, AI has influenced many innovative solutions such as water and energy monitoring/conservation, maintenance identification, safety monitoring and architectural simulation. 
     
  • Aerospace & Defense: AI has played a crucial role in spatial innovations. Design and testing automation, inspection and safety monitoring, operational automation, threat detection, anomaly verification, and in-flight assistance. 
     
  • Automotive: Between global sustainability efforts and a growing population, the automotive sector continues to grow and innovate. AI has propelled innovations such as autonomous driving, radar detection, predictive maintenance, voice commands, motion control features, and factory production methods. 

AI utilizes special-purpose processors (such as GPUs (graphical processing units) or FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array) specifically designed for AI and Machine Learning based designs. These processors are used to process complex tasks at faster rates compared to traditional processors (CPUs). Proper computing, sequencing and synchronization are crucial in successful artificial intelligence technologies. Many clocking signals will be needed to manage all the different processes that are required for the electronics, sensors and computing power that will gather and collate all this useful data. 

Crystals and oscillators, also known as clocks, are piezo electric devices used to provide precise and stable timing signals in various electronic circuits and systems, including AI systems. These crystal oscillators generate a consistent frequency that can be used as a reference for timekeeping and synchronization purposes. In AI applications, crystal timing plays a crucial role in maintaining a synchronous network.  

  • Processor Clocking: AI systems will likely rely on a clock timing signal to synchronize the operations of their processors and other components. Crystal based timing solutions provide reliable clocking signals, ensuring that the AI system’s operations are executed at the correct timing intervals. 

  • Data Sampling and Conversion: In machine learning and signal processing, data is converted from analog to digital form. Crystal timing can help maintain the consistency of sampling rates and conversion processes, which are essential for accurate data analysis. 

  • Synchronization of Components: AI systems likely consist of multiple components, such as processors, memory modules and communication interfaces. Crystal timing helps these components work in harmony to prevent issues. 

  • Real-time Applications: In AI systems involved in applications such as robotics or autonomous vehicles, precise timing is critical for control. Crystal timing provides a reliable base for applications needing time-sensitive tasks and event recording. 

  • Neural Network Accelerators: AI applications could utilize specialized hardware like neural network accelerators or graphical processing units (GPUs). These accelerators will likely rely heavily on crystal timing for their internal clock signals to efficiently execute operations. 

  • Environmental and Biometric Sensors: AI applications for environmental and biometric sensors will need to be able to gather data from many sources such as user interfaces, temperature sensors, heartbeat monitors and blood pressure readings. These will need to capture the reading, store the data and send it back through a network or wireless communication in order to be processed.  

  • Communication Protocols: Many AI systems will involve data transmission and communication with external devices or networks. Crystal timing is a reliable base used to synchronize data transmission and reception. 

  • Power Management: Crystal timing is typically involved in power management circuits, which can regulate the power usage of different components in a potential AI system. Accurate timing is crucial for optimizing power consumption and performance. 

Overall, crystal timing ensures the proper functioning of various components within potential AI systems, enabling them to perform complex tasks accurately, reliably and efficiently. Precise timing is particularly crucial in AI applications where substantial amounts of data processing and computation occur rapidly and in parallel. 

ECS Inc. has a broad portfolio of timing solutions to meet the demands of Artificial Intelligence technology solutions. We offer a wide range of features such as compact size, low power, tight stability, low first-year aging, extended operating temperatures and low jitter performance, to name a few. We offer complimentary engineering support for every lifecycle stage of your design which includes providing samples for testing and validation. Our website includes engineering resources such as application notes, white papers, and engineering tools such as our PPM to Hz Calculator and Crystal Load Capacitance Calculator.  

You can browse our product recommendations below or feel free to contact our engineering department for specific recommendations based on your design requirements.  

Application Focused Overview

Product Highlight


Tuning Fork Crystals 

Part Number Frequency Board Layout Package Size Inventory 
ECX-1210 32.768 kHz 2 Pad 1.6 x 1.2 mm Check Inventory Here 
ECX-16 32.768 kHz 2 Pad 1.6 x 1.2 mm Check Inventory Here 
ECX-12 32.768 kHz 2 Pad 2.0 x 1.2 mm Check Inventory Here 
ECX-31B 32.768 kHz 2 Pad 3.2 x 1.5 mm Check Inventory Here 

MHz Crystals 

Part Number Frequency Board Layout Package Size Inventory 
ECX-1048 32 – 54 MHz 4 Pad 1.2 x 1.0 mm Check Inventory Here 
ECX-1048B** 32 ~ 54 MHz 4 Pad 1.2 x 1.0 mm Check Inventory Here 
ECX-1247 24 – 80 MHz 4 Pad 1.6 x 1.2 mm Check Inventory Here 
ECX-1247B2** 24 ~ 80 MHz 4 Pad 1.6 x 1.2 mm Check Inventory Here 
ECX-1637 16 – 80 MHz 4 Pad 2.0 x 1.6 mm Check Inventory Here 
ECX-1637B2** 16 ~ 50 MHz 4 Pad 2.0 x 1.6 mm Check Inventory Here 
ECX-2236 12 ~ 80 MHz 4 Pad 2.5 x 2.0 mm Check Inventory Here 
ECX-2236B2** 12 ~ 50 MHz 4 Pad 2.5 x 2.0 mm Check Inventory Here 
ECS-33B 10 ~ 54 MHz 4 Pad 3.2 x 2.5 mm Check Inventory Here 
NOTE:** Low first year aging +-2ppm 

Oscillators 

Part Number Frequency Board Layout Package Size Inventory 
ECS-1612MV 3 – 80 MHz 4 Pad 1.6 x 1.2 mmCheck Inventory Here 
ECS-2016MV 1.5 – 54 MHz 4 Pad 2.0 x 1.6 mmCheck Inventory Here 
ECS-2520MV 0.75 – 60 MHz 4 Pad 2.5 x 2.0 mmCheck Inventory Here 
ECS-2520MVLC 1 – 75 MHz 4 Pad 2.5 x 2.0 mmCheck Inventory Here 
ECS-3225MV 1.84 – 50 MHz 4 Pad 3.2 x 2.5 mmCheck Inventory Here 
ECS-3225MVLC 8 – 60 MHz 4 Pad 3.2 x 2.5 mmCheck Inventory Here 
ECX2-LMV 100 ~ 320 MHz 6 Pad 3.2 x 2.5 mm 
5.0 x 3.2 mm 
7.0 x 5.0 mm 		Check Inventory Here 
ECS-327MVATX 32.768 kHz 4 Pad 2.0 x 1.6 mm
2.5 x 2.0 mm
3.2 x 2.5 mm		Check Inventory Here 

TCXO 

Part Number Frequency Board Layout Package Size Inventory 
ECS-TXO-20CSMV 10 – 52 MHz 4 Pad 2.0 x 1.6 mm Check Inventory Here 
ECS-TXO-20CSMV-AC 10 – 52 MHz 4 Pad 2.0 x 1.6 mm Check Inventory Here 
ECS-TXO-2520MV 10 – 60 MHz 4 Pad 2.5 x 2.0 mm Check Inventory Here 
ECS-TXO-3225MV 8 – 60 MHz 4 Pad 3.2 x 2.5 mm Check Inventory Here 

Please contact us if you need additional information or have a specific requirement in your application.


ECS Inc. International
15351 West 109th Street
Lenexa, KS 66219
Tel: 913-782-7787
Toll Free: 1-800-237-1041
Fax: 913-782-6991