BVA-type quartz oscillator for spacecraft

The performance of an oscillator using a BVA-type stress-compensated cut resonator is discussed. This oscillator design has demonstrated 24-h aging rates of <2E-12, 10-s Allan variance of 7E-14, and phase noise of -130 dBc/Hz at 1 Hz from the carrier. BVA-type resonators operating at both 5 MHz and 10 MHz have been evaluated. In most performance categories, oscillators using BVA resonators perform better than those using conventional resonators. Abrupt frequency changes were observed in some BVA resonators; however, no pattern to these frequency changes, either in magnitude or shape, was observed. The oscillator was designed to survive the rigorous environment encountered during launch and operation in a space environment. A test program qualifying the oscillator for space flight has been successfully completed. The environmental testing included radiation, thermal vacuum, magnetics, shock, acceleration, and vibration.<
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