NXP Semiconductors has developed a high-precision silicon MEMS-based frequency synthesizer that it sees competing directly with quartz crystal-based timing devices.
Using MEMS technology replaces a quartz crystal with a bare silicon die that is more than 20 times smaller than the smallest crystal available today and does not require any dedicated, quartz-like, ceramic or metal-can hermetic package. Instead, it can be merged with other ICs into a standardized, low-cost plastic package.