Q-Tech’s QT2021 series MCXO crystal oscillators

These new devices provide exceptional OCXO-level temperature stability (up to ±20ppb over -40°C to +85°C) while consuming a maximum of 90mW—thirty orders of magnitude lower than comparable OCXOs. Key features of the QT2021 Series are radiation tolerance to 50kRad(Si) TID, single event latch-up (SEL) of 75MeV-cm2/mg (min) and high shock and vibration tolerance with G-sensitivity of 1ppb/g. The QT2021 small form-factor package weighs just 50g, vs. comparable oven-controlled (OCXO) units weighing 100g or more. This significant improvement in size, weight, and power (SWaP) offers a highly preferable option for a wide array of advanced, and demanding space applications.

Q-Tech’s QT2021 microcomputer compensated crystal oscillator (MCXO) uses a high-stability overtone SC-cut crystal with microprocessor-controlled compensation. The self-temperature sensing resonator, using a dual-mode oscillator, virtually eliminates thermometry-related errors, resulting in OCXO-level stability.

“When MCXOs were first developed in the early 2000s, space- and rad hard-level digital components were very costly, which meant an MCXO space-level product would be prohibitively expensive,” said Scott Sentz, Q-Tech’s Director of Marketing and Sales. “Applying our engineering expertise and by utilising advanced microcontrollers and other digital devices that are rad tolerant, Q-Tech has broken the barrier of space limitations for MCXOs.”

The series is offered with standard frequencies of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 80MHz, with either CMOS or Sine Wave logic outputs with low phase noise and jitter.