Editing Crystal oscillator (section)

==Terminology==
[[File:18MHZ 12MHZ Crystal 110.jpg|thumb|Quartz crystal resonator (left) and quartz crystal oscillator (right)]]

A crystal oscillator is an [[electric oscillator]] type circuit that uses a piezoelectric resonator, a crystal, as its frequency-determining element.  ''Crystal'' is the common term used in electronics for the frequency-determining component, a wafer of [[quartz crystal]] or ceramic with electrodes connected to it.  A more accurate term for "crystal" is ''piezoelectric resonator''. Crystals are also used in other types of electronic circuits, such as [[crystal filter]]s.
 
Piezoelectric resonators are sold as separate components for use in crystal oscillator circuits. They are also often incorporated in a single package with the crystal oscillator circuit.