Crystal Oscillators Shrink in Size and Phase Noise

For applications in need of smaller, more stable oscillators, the evacuated miniature crystal oscillator (EMXO) line of sources has been extended to 100 MHz, and is now available in compact surface-mount-technology (SMT) housings. As an example, the EX-421 product family includes the EX-4210 series of SMT oven-controlled crystal oscillators (OCXOs) in frequencies through 100 MHz, with standard frequencies of 10, 20, and 100 MHz. Additional configurations, such as EX-4211 OCXOs with through-hole mounting, also are available.

These RoHS-compliant crystal oscillators feature low phase noise and fast warmup times with low power consumption. The sources are available with HCMOS and sine-wave output signals. The HCMOS rise/fall time (10% to 80%) is 5 ns, while the standard sine wave output level is +4 dBm (with +7 dBm available as an option). The oscillators, which weigh a mere 5 g in a 13 × 13 mm housing, operate on typical supply voltage of +5 VDC with 1.5 W maximum power consumption and as little as 0.25 W power consumption.

Well suited for portable military radios, airborne systems, avionics systems, satellite communications (satcom) equipment, and instrumentation, these SMT OCXOs exhibit maximum harmonics of -30 dBc. They feature initial accuracy (at time of shipment) of ±0.2 ppm and are designed for operating temperatures. The single-sideband (SSB) phase-noise measured at a 10-MHz carrier is -90 dBc/Hz offset 1 Hz from the carrier; -125 dBc/Hz offset 10 Hz from the carrier; -160 dBc/Hz offset 1 kHz from the carrier; and -165 dBc/Hz offset 10 kHz from the carrier.

Vectron International, 267 Lowell Rd., Unit 102, Hudson, NH 03051; (888) VECTRON-1, (888) 328-7661, FAX: (888) 329-8328