Q-Tech Corporation, a U.S.-based supplier of space-qualified crystal oscillators, announces the introduction of its QT2020 Series of microcomputer compensated crystal oscillators. These new devices provide exceptional temperature stability (up to ±20 ppb at -40°C to +85°C) while consuming a maximum of 90 mW. The QT2020 small form-factor package weighs just 50 g, compared to comparable oven-controlled (OCXO) units weighing 100 g or more. This significant improvement in size, weight, and power offers a highly preferable option for a wide array of advanced, and demanding, New Space applications.

Q-Tech’s 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. As a result, all basic TCXO and OCXO limitations are overcome or significantly reduced.

Key features of the QT2020 Series are radiation tolerant to 50kRad and high shock and vibration tolerance with G-sensitivity of 1ppb/g. The series is offered from 5  to 80 MHz with standard frequencies of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 80 MHz, with either CMOS or Sine Wave logic outputs with low phase noise and jitter.

“The growing demand for smaller, lighter and lower power devices to support the burgeoning New Space satellite market is the driving force behind the development of the QT2020 Series,” said Scott Sentz, Q-Tech’s director of marketing and sales. “Moreover, its technology has a thirty-year heritage of high reliability, making it attractive for both commercial and military applications.”