When developing applications for the aerospace and defense industries, size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints are essential, so developers need ultra-precision timing devices. Chip-Scale Atomic Clock (CSAC) is an essential reference for the system and can provide a precise and stable timing reference.

Microchip Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: MCHP) today announced the release of its second-generation low-noise chip-scale atomic clock (LN-CSAC) model 'SA65-LN'.

The SA65-LN is said to have a lower profile height and is designed to operate over a wider temperature range, providing low phase noise and atomic clock-level stability even in challenging environments.

Microchip has integrated its proprietary vacuum miniature crystal oscillator technology into the CSAC, enabling the SA65-LN model to maintain a low profile height of less than ½ inch while consuming less than 295 mW of power.

This new design is optimized for mission-critical applications in aerospace and defense industries, including mobile radar, portable radios, portable IED jamming systems, autonomous sensor networks, and unmanned vehicles, due to its compact size, low power consumption, and high precision.

Additionally, the new LN-CSAC model operates over a wide temperature range from -40 to +80 degrees Celsius, maintaining frequency and phase stability even in harsh environments.

LN-CSAC combines the advantages of crystal oscillators and atomic clocks in a single compact device. The EMXO offers low phase noise of -120dBc/Hz at 10Hz and Allan Deviation (ADEV) stability of <1E-11 average per second.

This atomic clock has an initial accuracy of ±0.5 ppb, a low frequency drift performance of <0.9 ppb/mo, and a maximum error due to temperature change of <±0.3 ppb. Combining these two features, the LN-CSAC saves board space, design time, and overall power consumption compared to designs using two oscillators.

The crystal signal purity and low phase noise of the LN-CSAC are designed to ensure high-quality signal integrity essential for frequency mixing. Its atomic-level accuracy allows for longer calibration intervals, helping extend mission duration and reduce maintenance requirements.

“Microchip’s next-generation LN-CSAC represents a breakthrough in frequency technology, delivering exceptional stability and precision in an extremely compact form factor,” said Randy Brudzinski, vice president of Microchip’s frequency and timing systems business unit. “This device enables customers to achieve superior signal clarity and atomic-level accuracy while reducing design complexity and lowering power.”