1MHz

1 MHz, or one megahertz, is a unit of frequency equal to 1,000,000 hertz, or cycles per second. The hertz is the SI unit for frequency, and the prefix mega denotes 10^6. Consequently, 1 MHz equals 1,000,000 Hz, which is also 1,000 kilohertz (kHz) and 0.001 gigahertz (GHz).

In electronics, 1 MHz is a common clock rate for digital circuits and microcontrollers, particularly in low-cost or low-power designs. Oscillators based on quartz crystals, ceramic resonators, or surface-mounted resonators can be configured to generate a stable 1 MHz reference signal, which is then divided or scaled to create timing for processors, memory, and peripherals. While many modern processors run at higher speeds, 1 MHz remains a baseline clock in some devices and educational kits.

In radio and communications, 1 MHz lies in the medium frequency (MF) band, which ranges roughly from 300 kHz to 3 MHz. This region supports various services and exhibits propagation characteristics that can include both ground-wave reception during the day and sky-wave propagation at night, enabling longer-distance reception under suitable conditions. The MF band is used by a variety of regional and specialized transmissions, including some broadcasting and data services.

Measurement and standards: Frequency is measured with counters, receivers, and spectrum analyzers. Stability and accuracy depend on the reference source, temperature, and aging of components such as quartz crystals. In metrology, 1 MHz references are used for calibration and as a step in deriving higher frequencies through mixing and frequency synthesis.