Post by thread:Re[2]: XT

In my earlier message I said the origin of using Xtal for a crystal was obscure. Bill's message confirms this. Bill, what has X representing 'trans' got to do with 'crystal'? CIAO - Martin. ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Re: XT Author: pic microcontroller discussion list <spam_OUTPICLISTTakeThisOuTMITVMA.MIT.EDU> at Internet Date: 5/24/98 8:19 PM X stands for 'trans' as in 'trans'mit and 'trans'former. Therefore XT means for crystal. Bill C. .....billKILLspam@spam@cornutt.com ---------- {Quote hidden}> > Does anyone know what 'XT' stands for in the OSC config. > > I guess > RC = Resistor Capacitor > LP = Low Power > HS = High Speed > > Tony > > > PicNPoke Multimedia 16F84 Beginners PIC Tools. > > **PLUS** - PicNPlay - PicNPlan - PicNPrep - PicNPost > PicNPort - DT Type Saver - *new* PicNQuiz. > Recent addition - Hex To Source converter. > > http://www.picnpoke.com > Email picnpokeKILLspamcdi.com.au >

At 10:58 AM 5/25/98 -0400, you wrote: > In my earlier message I said the origin of using Xtal for a crystal > was obscure. Bill's message confirms this. Bill, what has X > representing 'trans' got to do with 'crystal'? The X comes from history. In the "old days" before most Europeans could read, the "X" was used as a generic signature on legal documents. It was always accompanied by a witness who COULD sign his name. X was used as a testimony to the writer's Christianity, signifying the cross of Christ. Over the years, the X became less centered with that, and came to mean "cross" of any sort. "Criss" and "cross" sound similar enough that lazy engineers use xtal. Xform for transformer probably comes from the symbol for a transformational function - a circle with an X in it, but that's just my guess. Andy ================================================================== Andy Kunz - Statistical Research, Inc. - Westfield, New Jersey USA ==================================================================