Q-Tech Corporation

The low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite realm has spawned an entirely new class of devices requiring innovations in crystal oscillator products to meet performance and price benchmarks. Manufacturers of space-qualified crystal oscillators, like Q-Tech, have developed a range of devices (XO, TCXO, VCXO, and others) to provide optimized price and performance for each orbital application. This paper will delve into the subject with the objective of providing an informed understanding of the elements that go into device selection.

The low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite realm has spawned an entirely new class of devices requiring innovations in crystal oscillator products to meet performance and price benchmarks. Manufacturers of space-qualified crystal oscillators, like Q-Tech, have developed a range of devices (XO, TCXO, VCXO, and others) to provide optimized price and performance for each orbital application. This paper will delve into the subject with the objective of providing an informed understanding of the elements that go into device selection.

The paper reviews the qualities of high-performance crystal oscillators that make them the preferred solution over MEMS oscillators in applications where high-reliability under extreme conditions is not an option.