> In fact are there *ANY* real crystals much above 40MHz, or are they > mechanical overtones (confusingly not integer related to the > "fundamental" mode frequency in the sense that frequency multiplier of > an electronic frequency, or selecting a harmonic of a non-perfect > sinewave is)? > > I think a 101.5MHz crystal I have will give approximately 1/5th > frequency (but actually 1/5th) in a basic oscillator circuit rather that > one designed for 5th overtone. I think your confusion is aided by a lack of understanding of series and parallel modes of crystals, along with operation in overtone mode. At the fundamental frequency there are two slightly different fundamental frequencies, one being the parallel mode, and the other series mode. Most microprocessors use the crystal in parallel mode, and crystals used in this mode always have a specified parallel capacitance (typically around 20-30pF, but may be lower or higher), at which the calibrated frequency is set. The other mode is typically used in other oscillator modes, and has no capacitance specification. The original clock chip used for the 8080 microprocessor used a series mode crystal IIRC, but this was not common among microprocessors. Overtone mode always uses the series mode of the crystal, and requires some form of external frequency control circuit to stop the crystal operating at the incorrect overtone. This external control circuit is typically a series tuned circuit at the nominal frequency of the crystal at the selected overtone mode. Overtones are always an odd integer multiple of the fundamental frequency. This is a function of the way in which the crystal physically vibrates during oscillation. It is possible to have a crystal oscillate at a non-integer multiple of its fundamental frequency, but the frequency is reliant on oddball modes of the crystal, and is not reliable. -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist