Low phase noise and atomic clock stability under challenging conditions are made possible by Microchip Technology’s second generation Low-Noise Chip-Scale Atomic Clock (LN-CSAC), model SA65-LN, which has a lower profile height and is made to function in a wider temperature range.
By creating its own Evacuated Miniature Crystal Oscillator (EMXO) technology and incorporating it into a CSAC, Microchip has made it possible for the SA65-LN model to have a profile height of less than ½ inch while using less than 295 mW of power.
Because of its small size, low power consumption, and excellent precision, the novel design is ideal for mission-critical aerospace and defense applications such mobile radar, dismounted radios, dismounted IED jamming systems, autonomous sensor networks, and unmanned vehicles. For increased reliability, the new LN-CSAC is made to operate in a broader temperature range of -40°C to +80°C while maintaining frequency and phase stability under harsh circumstances.
The Low-Noise Chip-Scale Atomic Clock (LN-CSAC), model SA65-LN Combines The Benefits Of:
- A crystal oscillator and an atomic clock in a single compact device.
- The EMXO offers low-phase noise at 10 Hz < -120 dBc/Hz and Allan Deviation (ADEV) stability <1E-11 at a 1-second averaging time.
- The atomic clock provides initial accuracy of ±0.5 ppb, low frequency drift performance of <0.9 ppb/mo, and maximum temperature-induced errors of < ±0.3ppb.
- Together, the LN-CSAC can save board space, design time and overall power consumption compared to designs that feature two oscillators.
Frequency mixing requires high-quality signal integrity, which is ensured by LN-CSAC’s low-phase noise and crystal signal purity. The atomic-level accuracy makes Longer calibration intervals possible, which may help missions last longer and require less maintenance.
High reliability, accuracy, and durability are features of Microchip’s aerospace and defense products, which are developed to satisfy the demanding needs of these markets.
Microcontrollers (MCUs), microprocessors (MPUs), FPGAs, power management, memory, security, and timing devices are among the company’s solutions that guarantee peak performance in mission-critical applications like radar systems, avionics, and secure communications.
The Need for Ultra-Clean Timing Devices in A&D
For aerospace and defense applications where size, weight, and power (SWaP) limitations are crucial, developers require ultra-clean timing devices.
For these systems, a Chip-Scale Atomic Clock (CSAC) is a crucial reference because it offers the accurate and reliable timing that is required in situations where other satellite-based references might be compromised or traditional atomic clocks are too big or power-hungry.
Leadership Comments:
“A significant advancement in frequency technology, our next generation LN-CSAC provides exceptional stability and precision in a remarkably compact form,” said Randy Brudzinski, corporate vice president of Microchip’s frequency and time systems business unit. “This device enables our customers to achieve superior signal clarity and atomic-level accuracy, while also benefiting from reduced design complexity and lower power consumption.”
Visit Microchip’s aerospace and defense solutions web page for more information.
Development Tools
The LN-CSAC SA65 is supported by Microchip’s Clockstudio™ Software Tool, a Graphical User Interface (GUI), to help developers toggle between the clock’s features and plot their operating parameters. A LN-CSAC Developer Kit is also available.
Pricing and Availability
The LN-CSAC SA65 is now available for purchase in production quantities. For additional information and to purchase, contact a Microchip sales representative, authorized worldwide distributor or visit Microchip’s Purchasing and Client Services website, www.microchipdirect.com.