Automotive electronics play a vital role in today’s vehicles by providing critical functions in engine management, safety systems, entertainment, navigation and communication. These specially designed electronic components help to improve vehicle performance, fuel efficiency and safety.
All systems developed using automotive electronics are designed to withstand harsh environments. These components are expected to work without failure no matter what operating conditions the vehicle encounters. Because of this, the quality requirements for automotive electronic components are more demanding than those for consumer goods, with industry mandated standards that help maintain consistent performance throughout the vehicle’s operating life.
The Automotive Electronics Council (AEC) established the AEC-Q200 standard to ensure electronic components meet the rigorous demands of automotive applications. This qualification is crucial for components used in vehicles, where reliability and performance under extreme conditions are paramount. In March 2023, the AEC published Rev E of AEC-Q200, Stress Test Qualifications for Passive Electrical Devices, outlining 22 distinct stress tests that components must pass without failure.
These tests simulate the harsh operating conditions found in automotive environments, including extreme temperature cycling, mechanical shock, vibration, humidity exposure, and electrical stress. The standard requires testing across three independent production lots with zero failures, setting stringent acceptance criteria that differentiate suppliers with validated automotive qualifications from those that only claim compliance.
Aker Technology auto grade crystals have passed all testing requirements according to AEC-Q200 Rev-E and AEC-Q200-002 REV-B with classification level 6.
Automotive quartz crystals must deliver stable, reliable timing under demanding conditions. AEC-Q200 Rev-E evaluates crystal performance through rigorous environmental and electrical stress testing including:
Performance of critical parameters, such as frequency stability and equivalent series resistance (ESR), are checked before and after testing. AEC-Q200 Rev-E qualification helps automotive manufacturers improve component reliability, support functional safety and regulatory requirements, and ensure stable operation in harsh environments, making component compliance with the standard an essential requirement.
Selecting an automotive quartz crystal involves more than choosing an AEC-Q200 Rev-E qualified part. Engineers should verify that the crystal’s electrical, mechanical, and environmental specifications match the application.
Key criteria engineers should consider when selecting an AEC-Q200 Rev-E qualified component include:
AEC-Q200 Rev-E qualification establishes a reliability baseline, but system-level validation is still essential. The crystal should be evaluated with the intended oscillator circuit, PCB layout, temperature range, and operating conditions. The right crystal is the one that combines AEC-Q200 Rev-E qualification with the electrical performance and mechanical characteristics matched to the complete vehicle design.
Aker Technology provides a broad portfolio of AEC-Q200 Rev-E qualified quartz crystals designed for the demanding requirements of automotive electronics. With decades of experience supplying timing components to leading automotive manufacturers, Aker combines rigorous qualification testing with consistent manufacturing and tight electrical specifications.
From frequency and temperature stability to ESR and package options, Aker solutions help engineers meet application-specific timing and reliability requirements with confidence.
C7S Auto
Model Dimensions (mm) Model Dimensions (mm)
7.0×5.0x1.1 C3E Auto 3.2×2.5×0.75
C6S Auto 6.0×3.5×1.1 C2E Auto 2.5×2.0x0.65
C5S Auto 5.0×3.2×1.0 C1E Auto 2.0×1.6×0.5
C4S Auto 4.0×2.5×0.8 C16 Auto 1.6×1.2×0.4
