This paper presents a 60 MHz surface acoustic wave (SAW) yarn tension sensor incorporating a novel SAW oscillator with high-frequency stability. A SAW delay line was fabricated on ST-X quartz substrate using the unbalanced-split electrode and bi-directional engraving slots. The dual differential channel delay linear acoustic surface wave oscillator is designed and implemented to test yarn tension, which can effectively remove the interference of temperature, humidity, and other peripheral factors through differential design. The yarn tension sensor using the surface acoustic wave has high-precision characteristics, and the SAW delay line oscillator is designed to ensure the test system’s stable operation. The effect of time and tension on oscillator frequency stability is studied in detail, and the single oscillator and the dual differential channel system were tested, respectively. After using the dual differential channel system, the short-term frequency stability from is reduced from 1.0163 ppm to 0.17726 ppm, the frequency accuracy of the tension sensor is improved from 134 Hz to 27 Hz, and the max frequency jump steady is reduced from 2.2395 ppm to 0.45123 ppm.
Keywords: dual differential channel circuit; oscillators frequency stability; surface acoustic wave (SAW); yarn tension sensor.