I-crystal oscillator isebenzisa umphumela we-piezoelectric wekristalu ye-quartz. Ngesakhiwo sesifunda esithile, kubangela ukuthi ikristalu idlidlize ngemvamisa ethile. Le mvamisa izinzile futhi ayithinteki kalula imvelo yangaphandle. Ama-Crystal oscillator angasetshenziswa njengereferensi yamafrikhwensi kumishini kagesi, anikeze amasiginali anembile kwamanye amasekhethi.
