High-Performance, Low-Power, Acceleration-Compensated Oscillator Technology

The objective of this proposal is to completer the development for a new miniaturized and very low power oscillator product which provides very low phase noise even under high vibration environments. This technology will be called the Low Power, G-Compensated, Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator (LPG-OCXO). Current state of the art acceleration compensated oscillators are 100-350 cubic centimeters (cc), use 3 W of power and achieve a worst case acceleration sensitivity of 0.02 parts per billion per G (ppb/G). The LPG-OCXO will target a 17 cc size, 0.15 W power and 0.02-0.001 ppb/G acceleration sensitivity. This level of acceleration insensitivity will make it insensitive to the effects of vibration in almost all aircrafts and ground vehicles. Its dramatic size and power reduction will be enabled by three technologies: (i) a micromachined vibration isolators system; (ii) careful selection of electronic components including the accelerometer required for low frequency vibration compensation and (iii) a low power ovenized crystal technology. The acceleration insensitivity target will be achieved through optimization of the vibration isolator design and the acceleration compensation electronics.