Analog/Mixed Signal

Radiation-tolerant Atomic Clock for Low Earth Orbit Applications

06 June 2018

The SA.45S atomic clock. Source: MicrosemiThe SA.45S atomic clock. Source: MicrosemiMicrosemi Corp. has launched what it claims to be the first radiation-tolerant commercial space chip scale atomic clock (CSAC) designed for low-orbit applications.

The SA.45s contains a built-in 1 pulse per second input for GPS, making it suited for commercial space and space research applications such as satellite timing and frequency control, satellite cross-linking, assured position, navigation and timing and Earth observation.

Microsemi said in order to reduce mission costs and design times, many spacecraft manufacturers are turning to commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) parts. The Microsemi atomic clock offers precise clock synchronization for emerging and existing low Earth orbit applications.

Other features of the SA.45s include a 10 megahertz CMOS-compatible output, a built-in serial interface to control and calibrate the unit and provide a comprehensive set of status monitors and single event latch-up (SEL) and single event upset (SEU) tested to 64 megaelectron-volts per square centimeter/milligram.

To contact the author of this article, email PBrown@globalspec.com


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