Crystal oscillators vs ceramic resonators?

Absolutely, let’s break down the differences between crystal oscillators and ceramic resonators first.

1. Crystal Oscillator:

Crystal oscillators are made from quartz and vibrate mechanically when an AC signal is applied, producing a precise and stable frequency. They are highly accurate and maintain their frequency well, even with changes in temperature or stray capacitance. This makes them ideal for applications requiring strict timing, such as communication protocols or clocks.

2. Ceramic Resonator:

Ceramic resonators, while also vibrating mechanically when an AC signal is applied, are made from ceramic materials and are less accurate than quartz crystals. They can have slight variations in frequency due to temperature changes and aging, which isn’t ideal for timing-critical applications but is acceptable for many general-purpose uses.

They are more cost-effective and compact, making them suitable for designs where high precision isn’t as critical.

Why the Difference in Arduino Boards?

The Arduino Uno uses a crystal oscillator made of quartz, for being highly precise and stable. It keeps the clock signal accurate with minimal drift over time and temperature changes but costs more.

On the other hand, the Arduino Nano uses a ceramic resonator, less accurate compared to the crystal oscillator as already mentioned, but it comes with advantages: it’s smaller and more affordable. The resonator still provides a 16 MHz clock, but you might notice slight frequency variations due to temperature changes or aging. For most hobby projects where perfect timing isn’t crucial, the Nano’s resonator works just fine and helps keep the cost and size of the board down.