Like other caesium atomic clocks, the clock keeps time by a precise 9.192631770 GHz microwave signal emitted by electron spin transitions between two hyperfine energy levels in atoms of caesium-133. A feedback mechanism keeps a quartz crystal oscillator on the chip locked to this frequency, which is divided down by digital counters to give 10 MHz and 1 Hz clock signals provided to output pins.
The device regulates time by employing a precise 9.192631770 GHz microwave signal from electron spin transitions in caesium-133 atoms. A feedback mechanism ensures that a quartz crystal oscillator on the chip remains synchronized with this frequency, which is then divided down to provide 10 MHz and 1 Hz clock signals at output pins.