Microchip Technology has expanded its L-Series timing product portfolio with the launch of the LX-820 Radiation-Tolerant Quartz Oscillator for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and other space applications. The L-Series offers satellite developers different types of oscillators with varying levels of frequency stability, phase noise, power consumption and size, allowing them to choose the right solution for their specific mission requirements.
The L-Series sits between standard commercial oscillators and traditional high-reliability space products. It combines commercial- or military-grade components with additional inspections, electrical and thermal testing, and specialised manufacturing processes to meet the needs of space applications. The oscillators have undergone radiation testing as complete, working devices to check their ability to withstand Total Ionizing Dose (TID) and Single-Event Latchup (SEL). They offer radiation tolerance of up to 50 krad and have been tested for SEL at 40 MeV·cm²/mg. Most L-Series products also use specially processed quartz crystals to reduce changes in frequency caused by radiation. The L-Series oven controlled crystal oscillators (OCXOs) feature a rugged design and four-point crystal mounts to withstand launch conditions and the demands of their intended missions.
Designed to address two persistent challenges for satellite developers, the L-Series helps ease supply chain constraints while reducing budget pressure. Many timing solutions qualified for space environments have extended lead times and significant procurement costs. The L-Series is designed to provide a more accessible alternative, with many configurations available from stock or with lead times of less than 20 weeks. Additionally, the L-Series oscillators may lower overall program costs by reducing the need for the component pedigree, documentation requirements and inspection overhead that are typically associated with traditional high-reliability space-grade timing products.
“Satellite developers should not have to choose between dependable precision timing and the cost and schedule requirements of their mission,” said Randy Brudzinski, corporate vice president of Microchip’s frequency and time systems business unit. “Our L-Series oscillators bring together the performance, radiation tolerance and supply availability our customers need to confidently deploy their New Space applications using a precision timing solution that helps reduce both schedule and mission risk.”
The new LX-820 is available in a compact 3.2 mm × 2.5 mm surface-mount package and is designed to operate across a wide temperature range from -55°C to 125°C. The rugged device is engineered to meet MIL-PRF-55310 Level B and provides ±100 ppm performance. Additionally, the LX-820 supports CMOS output frequencies from 1.25 MHz to 135 MHz and low-voltage differential signalling (LVDS) output frequencies from 100 MHz to 250 MHz.
Modern satellite systems rely on highly accurate timing references to support communications, navigation, Earth observation, mapping and emerging lunar missions. As these applications can have different timing requirements, Microchip’s L-Series encompasses crystal oscillators (XOs), temperature-compensated crystal oscillators (TCXOs), oven controlled crystal oscillators (OCXOs) and a pulse-per-second (PPS) disciplined oscillator. These products allow developers to use compact XOs where size and broad frequency coverage are priorities, TCXOs where tighter temperature stability and lower power are needed, OCXOs for more demanding stability and phase-noise requirements, and a disciplined oscillator where PPS synchronization and holdovers are required.
Microchip offers an extensive portfolio of clock and timing systems, ranging from miniature component oscillators, to small plug-in timing server cards, to atomic clocks and multi-rack time scale systems. As a primary contributor to the world’s time, Microchip’s timing solutions are trusted, reliable and resilient. For more information, visit Microchip’s clock and timing solutions webpage.
