| MHM-2020, introducing security features and latest touch panel display to the existing active hydrogen maser atomic clock MHM-2010 to expand user experience

Applications such as metrology, deep space research, and global navigation employ commercial maser (molecular amplifier) atomic clock technology for accurate frequency and timing delivery.

Microchip Technology announced on the 24th that it has launched the MHM-2020 through its subsidiary Microsemi to meet the needs of such applications.

The MHM-2020 is a hydrogen maser atomic clock with long-term stability performance improved by approximately 10 times compared to its predecessor, the MHM-2010.

Built on the foundation of the MHM-2010's lifespan and maintenance cost advantages, the MHM-2020 provides enhanced user experience through a color touch panel display and a network management port with excellent security.

The hydrogen maser provides stability through the principle whereby hydrogen atoms emit microwaves at a precise frequency of 1,420,405,751Hz in a suitable environment.

When extremely low-power and high-purity signals are phase-locked to a high-performance quartz oscillator, long-term stability and phase noise required for maintaining accurate time in the clock output signal are secured.

The active hydrogen maser is a commercial atomic clock produced by Microchip, offering 4 times greater stability compared to passive hydrogen masers and superior short-term stability compared to cesium beam tube atomic clocks.

The MHM-2020 maser, designed and manufactured in the United States, utilizes a new drift compensation function to substantially improve long-term clock drift and aging performance, which are critical in surveying and timekeeping applications.

The MHM-2020 is a product for national research laboratories that follow the standards of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) for maintaining Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) worldwide, offering improved temperature stability (Tempco; temperature coefficient), low magnetic field sensitivity, and long-term aging change performance of less than 3E-16/day.

The maser's short-term clock stability performance is within the 1–100 second range, meeting the stringent very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) requirements for radio astronomy research such as black hole observations and other applications requiring low-noise and accurate frequency and timing references.

Randy Brudzinski, Vice President and General Manager of Microchip's Frequency and Time Business Unit, stated, "The MHM-2020 maser is based on the MHM-2010, and we are offering upgrade options for customers who purchased the MHM-2010 maser within the last 5 years to benefit from Microchip's technology without purchasing a new system."

Meanwhile, the MHM-2020 76001-20X active hydrogen maser and upgrade package for existing MHM-2010 maser users (applicable products) are available for purchase in two options.

Specifications for the maser can be defined by adding an optional low phase noise packaging option.

Microchip supports maser product customers through extended warranty as well as clock maintenance, field repair, and consulting services.