The Crystal Oscillator Characterization Facility at the Aerospace Corporation

Abstract

At the present time, there is a need by the military for small, low-power, fast-warmup, and low g-sensitivity crystal oscillators for use in GPS receivers and transmitters in handheld survival radios and smart munitions. These units require a stable frequency source (crystal oscillators or small rubidium atomic clocks) for their operation. A variety of crystal oscillators are now on the market, and there is a need to evaluate the latest technology so that performance can be compared and evaluated. Insight into the characteristics of the various classes of crystal oscillators used by the contractors enables The Aerospace Corporation to identify the performance risks early in program development, which helps avoid schedule delays and later cost impacts. This paper describes a modernized clock-oscillator measurement facility that has been established at Aerospace to characterize these frequency sources in support of the military programs.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA485007

Entities

People

  • A. Moulthrop
  • Adam P. Young
  • M. Rolenz
  • S. Karuza
  • V. Hunt

Organizations

  • The Aerospace Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amplifiers
  • C Programming Language
  • Clocks
  • Computer Programming
  • Computers
  • Corporations
  • Crystal Oscillators
  • Detectors
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Response
  • Frequency Standards
  • Frequency Synthesizers
  • Low Pass Filters
  • Measurement
  • Oscillators
  • Standards
  • Time Intervals

Readers

  • Industrial Economics
  • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Technology.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space