Microchip Technology unveils GNSS disciplined oscillator modules

Aerospace and defense applications depend on position, navigation and timing (PNT) technology for mission-critical accuracy and reliability. But integrating PNT into designs requires extensive specialized knowledge.

To accelerate development, Microchip Technology has introduced a portfolio of GNSS Disciplined Oscillator (GNSSDO) modules that integrate the company’s atomic clock and oscillator technologies, including the Chip-Scale Atomic Clock, Miniature Atomic Clock and Oven-Controlled Quartz Crystal Oscillators.

The GNSSDO modules process reference signals from GNSS or alternative clock sources and discipline onboard oscillators to reference signals, enabling precise timing, stability and holdover performance based on application requirements. The modules serve military and defense applications including radar, satellite communications, mounted and dismounted radios, vehicle platforms and other critical PNT applications, including GNSS-denied environments.

A GNSSDO module functions as a PNT subsystem within larger system designs or as a standalone system, providing precise timing critical to high-performance systems. Microchip engineers and manufactures the local oscillators used in the modules. Other Microchip components include 32-bit microcontrollers and SmartFusion 2 field-programmable gate arrays.

MD-013 ULTRA CLEAN: Microchip’s highest-performance standard GNSSDO module supports multiple GNSS constellations or external reference input. The module uses a high-performance OCXO that enables outputs with ultra-low phase noise and short-term frequency stability. Phase noise performance specifications are minus 119 dBc/Hz at 1 Hz offset and noise floor of minus 165 dBc/Hz. Short-term frequency stability, measured by Allan Deviation, is 3E-13 at 1-second tau, 6E-13 at 10-second tau and 9E-13 at 100-second tau. The module generates 1 PPS TTL, 10 MHz sine wave and 10 MHz square wave outputs disciplined to an embedded 72-channel single-band GNSS receiver, with optional upgrade to configurable L1/L2 or L1/L5 dual-band, multi-GNSS receiver.

MD-300: Designed for harsh environments in a 1.5 in-by-2.5-in footprint, the MD-300 features an embedded MEMS OCXO or TCXO as the local oscillator, enabling low g-sensitivity, high shock and vibration tolerance and low thermal transient response. Its size, weight, and power performance make it suitable for applicationssuch as drones and manpacks. The module disciplines to embedded GNSS receivers or external references and outputs high-performance 10 MHz and 1 PPS signals.

LM-010: A PPS disciplined module providing precise timing for Low Earth Orbit applications requiring radiation tolerance with stability and holdover capability. The standard platform module provides 1 PPS TTL and 10 MHz sine wave outputs disciplined to an external reference input. The module contains Microchip’s digitally corrected OCXO or low-power CSAC SA.45.

The GNSSDO modules use common serial communication protocols and graphical user interfaces for command and control. Software can configure various parameters, including inputs, outputs, auto switching, holdover parameters, GNSS tracking and observables, and reporting messages from the serial interface.