Tag: GPSDO

Portable Time-Loader ready for field deployment

Image: Focus Telecom

Focus Telecom has introduced a new timing product for defense and mission-critical applications, the Time-Loader.

The Time-Loader can be deployed in environments where GNSS signals are denied or disrupted, to support any ground, naval and airborne system that needs real time of day (TOD) and 1PPS external synchronization aligned to UTC or GNSS.

In this emerging era of rapid tactical deployment of defense systems, communications intelligence, missile defense systems, radar/electro-optical sensors and UAS batteries in the field are often in GNSS-denied or jammed environments. This situation creates challenges for access to real time and accurate time of day.

To solve this problem, the Time-Loader generates a GPS L1 C/A code RF output as if the signal were coming from a live-sky GPS antenna. It provides full-constellation GPS output and is compatible with external GNSS receivers. It encodes times with nanosecond accuracy for GPS timing receivers.

The Time-Loader’s GPS-disciplined oscillator (GPSDO) is the Microsemi MAC-SA53/55, which provides excellent UTC accuracy with outstanding hold-over rubidium clock performance.

The Time-Loader is the size of a suitcase, hand-carried and easily deployed. It activates quickly from a cold start or when sensors are deployed for the first time.

Included in the Time-Loader is a self-contained, miniature GPS simulator that provides real-time extremely accurate signals. The 18-channel full-constellation simulator stores location/time/date data in internal memory and stores complex vector data to simulate dynamic scenarios. The simulator also can be used to transcode NMEA or SCPI position/velocity/time (PVT) data into GPS RF signals.

Learn more about the Time-Loader.

August 8, 2022
Jackson Labs Delivers Low Phase-Noise Frequency and Timing Reference

The DROR-II by Jackson Labs.

Jackson Labs Technologies, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of GPS, timing and frequency equipment, is offering the DROR-II, a 10-MHz/5-MHz/1-PPS GPS-Disciplined Atomic Frequency and Timing Reference (GPSDO).

The DROR-II is a ruggedized frequency and timing reference with a Cesium Vapor Atomic Oscillator followed by a precision SC-cut Crystal Double-Oven Oscillator and an actively vibration-compensated VCXO oscillator, with specific emphasis on ultra low phase noise performance under extreme vibration and acceleration such as could be encountered in aircraft, tracked vehicles, and wheeled vehicles.

The DROR-II unit is optimized for operation in high-vibration and high-acceleration environments that require ultra-low phase noise performance and high frequency stability under extreme conditions. The DROR-II combines the strengths of three different on-board oscillators to provide an overall performance that has not been achievable with legacy products, at a steady-state power consumption of less than 3.85W, the company said.

The DROR-II uses a GPS receiver to provide long-term phase and frequency accuracy of the built-in CSAC atomic oscillator which is followed by an SC-cut, Double Oven OCXO (DOCXO) for very high short-term stability and low phase noise, which is itself followed by a three-axis electronically vibration-compensated crystal oscillator for ultra-low-noise under high vibration. Using these four signal sources cascaded to each other allows unmatched Phase Noise and Short Term Stability (ADEV) while also providing long-term atomic holdover, very fast warmup, and long-term phase-lock to UTC. Short term stability of 1E-012 (1ppt), and phase noise floors of -162dBc/Hz are achieved. Frequency stability over 24 hours is better than 5E-013 (0.5ppt) typically when locked to GPS.

The DROR-II supplies three isolated 10-MHz Sine Wave outputs, two CMOS 1PPS, and one 5-MHz output that is phase-synchronized to UTC via the internal GPS receiver. DROR-II contains a 50-channel WAAS/EGNOS/MSAS-enabled GPS receiver that provides support for avionics systems through integrated three-axis gyro-accelerometers and a -160-dBm GPS tracking capability. DROR-II power requirements are less than 3.85W steady-state, and only a single supply of between 11.0V to 32V is required. Support for an external LCD display is standard.

The unit can be monitored and controlled by an RS-232 port or a USB port via industry standard SCPI-99 Commands (GPIB commands), and is capable of generating numerous NMEA-0183 output sentences for easy integration into existing infrastructure. The DROR-II can be ordered with various OCXO options and with different temperature ranges.

February 7, 2014
Symmetricom Offers GPS Disciplined Atomic Oscillator Modules and High-Frequency Source Modules
Symmetricom, Inc., precision time and frequency technology company, today announced the company will sell GPS disciplined oscillator (GPSDO) modules and high-frequency source modules from Jackson Labs Technologies, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of cutting-edge precision time and frequency products. GPSDOs provide time and frequency reference signals that have the same long-term accuracy as the GPS signal itself, and also provide a “holdover” capability to maintain system synchronization when GPS reception outages occur, Symmetricom said, adding that this new set of solutions provides Symmetricom’s customers with a broader range of product options, supporting a variety of price and performance levels.

“The new GPSDO Modules and High-Frequency Source Modules are a natural extension of our existing product line and enable us to better meet our customers’ needs. Symmetricom customers can now select full instruments containing GPSDOs or board-level GPSDOs if they don’t need full instrument functionality,” said Steve Fossi, director of new business development at Symmetricom. “For systems that require an embedded GPSDO, incorporating a proven board-level GPSDO reduces design cycle time and risk compared to developing a custom solution.”

Symmetricom has the following GPSDO and source modules available for purchase:
- GPS-1000 Std. Temp. 10 MHz OCXO-based GPSDO
- GPS-2000 Std. Temp. 10 MHz OCXO-based GPSDO
- GPS-2500 Std. Temp. 10 MHz DOCXO-based GPSDO
- GPS-2550 Ext. Temp. 10 MHz DOCXO-based GPSDO
- GPS-2600 Std. Temp. 100 MHz DOCXO-based GPSDO
- GPS-2650 Ext. Temp. 100 MHz DOCXO-based GPSDO
- SSM-2000 Std. Temp. 100 MHz OCXO-Source Module
- SSM-2650 Ext. Temp. 100 MHz DOCXO-Source Module
- GPS-2700 Std. Temp. 10 MHz CSAC-based GPSDO
- GPS-2750 Ext. Temp. 10 MHz CSAC-based GPSDO
- GPS-500 Low-Cost Ext. Temp. 10 MHz OCXO-based GPSDO
Today’s announcement is an extension of an existing relationship with Jackson Labs and comes one year after Jackson Labs selected Symmetricom’s Quantum(TM) SA.45s Chip Scale Atomic Clock (CSAC) as the holdover oscillator for the high-performance GPS-2700 and GPS-2750 GPSDOs. Symmetricom’s GPS-27xx GPSDOs provide capability for mission-critical applications in GPS-denied environments. Because the Quantum SA.45s CSAC provides the stability of an atomic clock with breakthrough reductions in size, weight, and power consumption, the GPS-27xx GPSDOs offer benefits in portable applications such as dismounted IED jammers, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and man-pack radios, Symmetricom said.
April 12, 2012