PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
The project can be summarized as follows:
- First step concerning market needs and competition analysis concluded by an update of the requirements and a preliminary design proposal,
- Second step concerning preliminary breadboarding for solutions selection, concluded by a detailed design,
- Third step concerning EM manufacturing and testing , concluded by an overall assessment and recommendations.
The objective of this study is to design, manufacture and test an Engineering Model of a compact and low cost reference oscillator meeting the requirements specified in Updated Requirements Specifications for Reference Oscillator.
This equipment shall be free of any export licence control for use in European space programs.
Challenges
The key issues addressed in the LNRO project were:
- Reach phase noise requirements from 1Hz to 1kHz by improvement of crystal loaded quality factor and amplifier flicker noise,
- Find solutions using ITAR free parts,
- Reduce power consumption, size and weight without short term, phase noise and frequency stability versus temperature degradation (oven size reduction),
- Cost reduction, in order to gain market share.
Plan
Here follows the study plan for the tasks that have lead to the development of a Low Phase Noise Reference Oscillator.
Phase 1 : Review and preliminary design
- Task 1: Requirements and Technology Review
- Task 2: Preliminary Design
Phase 2 : Breadboarding and design
- Task 3: Building Block Design and breadboarding
- Task 4: Detailed Design
Phase 3 : Manufacture, Assembly, Test and Conclusions
- Task 5: Manufacture and Assembly
- Task 6: Test
- Task 7: Overall Assessment and Recommendations
Current Status
Project completed.
Companies
Spectratime
Switzerland