156.25 MHz MEMS XO – why the silicon resonator matters
The DSC1502AI3A-156M2500T is a MEMS-based XO (Standard) that outputs a fixed 156.25 MHz LVCMOS clock — the common reference for 1Gb/10Gb Ethernet PHYs, SerDes framers, and FPGA transceiver banks. Unlike a quartz crystal oscillator, the MEMS resonator is immune to vibration-induced frequency jumps and start-up reliability issues tied to load-capacitance mismatch. Supply voltage spans 2.5 V to 3.3 V, so the same part serves 3.3 V and 2.5 V clock domains without a separate level translator.
7.5 mA at 156.25 MHz – power budget fit
Maximum supply current is 7.5 mA at 156.25 MHz. For comparison, a quartz-based oscillator at this frequency typically draws 15–25 mA. The MEMS core cuts the clock power budget roughly in half, which matters when the oscillator runs continuously and the system has a tight thermal or battery envelope. This is adequate for most Ethernet and general-purpose clocking; precision timing applications (e.g., IEEE 1588 grandmaster) would require a tighter TCXO or OCXO.
Product status is Active per Microchip. The 4-VDFN exposed-pad package (7.0 mm × 5.0 mm, 0.90 mm seated height) is a standard MEMS oscillator footprint.