Microchip Technology Inc. has launched a portfolio of GNSS disciplined oscillator (GNSSDO) modules that integrate the company’s embedded atomic clock and oscillator technologies, including the chip-scale atomic clock (CSAC), miniature atomic clock (MAC), and oven-controlled quartz crystal oscillators (OCXOs). They also leverage other Microchip devices including 32-bit microcontrollers and SmartFusion 2 FPGAs.

(Source: Microchip Technology Inc.)

These GNSSDO modules make it easier to integrate position, navigation, and timing technology in military and defense applications such as radar, satellite communications (SATCOM), mounted and dismounted radios, vehicle platforms, and other critical PNT applications including GNSS-denied environments. They process reference signals from GNSS or an alternative clock source and disciplines the on-board oscillator to the reference signal, enabling precise timing, stability, and holdover performance based on end application requirements, Microchip said.

The GNSSDO modules act as a PNT subsystem within a larger system design or as a stand-alone system, providing precise timing that is critical to high-performance systems in aerospace and defense. The new modules include the MD-013 ULTRA CLEAN, MD-300, and LM-010.

• 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. The MD-013 is designed around a high-performance OCXO that enables outputs with ultra-low phase noise and short-term frequency stability outputs. It 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 GNSSDO module, designed for harsh environments, is packaged in a small 1.5 × 2.5-inch 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. Thanks to the size, weight, and power (SWaP) performance, the MD-300 is well-suited for applications like drones and manpacks. The module is disciplined to an embedded GNSS receiver or external reference. It offers multiple outputs including 10-MHz sine wave, differential RF, and 1 PPS.
• The LM-010, a PPS disciplined module, provides precise timing for low Earth orbit (LEO) applications that require radiation tolerance and 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. It leverages Microchip’s digitally corrected OCXO or low-power CSAC SA.45.

The GNSSDO modules use a common serial communication protocol and graphical user interface (GUI) for command and control. 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.

Development tools include Microchip’s VDOM3 software (PDF) and GUI to help developers adjust performance parameters of the GNSSDO modules and test integrating these products into their systems, and the MD-01X evaluation kit (PDF). The GNSSDO modules are available in production quantities.

The post Microchip launches GNSS disciplined oscillator modules appeared first on Electronic Products.