Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) technology is essential for mission-critical accuracy and reliability in aerospace and defense applications. However, incorporating PNT into a design necessitates a high level of domain expertise. Microchip Technology announces its line of GNSS Disciplined Oscillator (GNSSDO) Modules, which incorporate the company’s well-known embedded atomic clock and oscillator technologies, such as the Oven-Controlled Quartz Crystal Oscillators (OCXOs), Miniature Atomic Clock (MAC), and Chip-Scale Atomic Clock (CSAC), in an effort to expedite the development process.
In order to enable exact timing, stability, and holdover performance dependent on end application needs, the GNSSDO modules discipline the on-board oscillator to the reference signal after processing reference signals from GNSS or another clock source.
Radar, satellite communications (SATCOM), mounted and dismounted radios, vehicle platforms, and other vital PNT applications, including GNSS-denied situations, are among the military and defense applications that use these GNSSDOs.
Microchip’s Newly Released GNSSDO Modules Include:
- The MD-013 ULTRA CLEAN is Microchip’s highest performance standard GNSSDO module that can support multiple GNSS constellations, including GPS, Galileo, BeiDou, and NavIC or an external reference input. This module is designed around a high-performance OCXO that enables outputs with ultra-low phase noise and short-term frequency stability characteristics.
The respective specifications for phase noise performance are ?119 dBc/Hz at a 1 Hz offset and noise floor of ?165 dBc/Hz. Short-term frequency stability, measured by Allan Deviation (ADEV), is 3E-13 at 1s tau, 6E-13 at 10s tau and 9E-13 at 100s tau.
This module can generate 1 PPS TTL, 10 MHz sine wave and 10 MHz square wave outputs that are disciplined to an embedded 72-channel single-band GNSS receiver, with the option to upgrade to a configurable L1/L2 or L1/L5 dual-band, multi-GNSS receiver.
- The MD-300 is Microchip’s GNSSDO module for harsh environments, available in a small 1.5 × 2.5 inch footprint. The MD-300 has an embedded MEMS OCXO or TCXO as the local oscillator, enabling low g-sensitivity, high shock and vibration tolerance and low thermal transient response. Due to its Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) performance, the MD-300 is well-suited for applications like drones and manpacks. The module can discipline to an embedded GNSS receiver or external reference and output high performance 10 MHz and 1 PPS signals.
- The LM-010 is a PPS disciplined module that provides precise timing for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) applications that demand radiation tolerance coupled with stability and holdover capability.
As a standard platform module, the LM-010 provides both 1 PPS TTL and 10 MHz sinewave outputs that are disciplined to an external reference input. Internal to the module is Microchip’s digitally corrected OCXO or low-power CSAC SA.45.
Microchip’s GNSSDO modules utilize a common serial communication protocol and Graphical User Interface (GUI) for command and control of the unit.
A variety of parameters can be configured through the software including inputs, outputs, auto switching, holdover parameters, GNSS tracking and observables, as well as reporting messages coming off the serial interface.
Microchip offers a broad portfolio of high-reliability solutions designed for aerospace and defense including Radiation-Tolerant (RT) and Radiation-Hardened (RH) MCUs, FPGAs and Ethernet PHYs, power devices, RF products, timing solutions, as well as discrete components from bare die to system modules. Additionally, Microchip offers a wide range of components on the QPL to better serve its customers.
Development Tools
The GNSSDO portfolio is supported by Microchip’s VDOM3 software and GUI to help developers adjust performance parameters of the GNSSDO modules and quickly test integrating these products into their systems. The MD-01X Evaluation Kit is also available to easily connect and monitor the MD-01 series of GNSSDOs.
Pricing and Availability
The GNSSDO modules are available for purchase in production quantities. For additional information and to purchase, contact a Microchip sales representative or an authorized distributor.
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