Inside Frequency Control

Some of the most important decisions an RF engineer will make when designing a new system are choosing the right type of crystal oscillator and determining which signal output is the best fit for their application. Each type of oscillator and output signal comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. 

In this article, we'll discuss temperature compensated crystal oscillators (TCXOs) and the clipped sine waves they produce. We'll also cover some of their most common applications.

Whether it’s a fancy new gaming PC, an HDTV, or a 5G phone, all of them make use of printed circuit boards (PCBs). A technological innovation dating back to the 1940s, the circuit board is part of what makes all modern electronics possible, and radio frequency (RF) products are no exception.

Following best practices when designing a PCB is one the first steps to building an RF system that performs well. This article will offer some basic tips for good RF circuit board design and common mistakes that engineers should avoid.

Engineering firms across all industries often have to work with many different suppliers to build their products. In the field of radio frequency technology, one of the most critical components in any design is the oscillator that generates the frequency. Using the wrong type of crystal oscillator or one that's of poor quality can ruin an otherwise excellent design.

That’s why it’s so important to make sure you’re working with a reputable supplier. In this guide, we’ll cover the essential questions any RF engineer should ask their crystal oscillator manufacturer.

One of the most important choices an RF engineer will make is deciding what kind of output signal is the best fit for the project they’re working on.

There are many benefits to complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) outputs, but there are different variations on this technology. Some types are more appropriate for certain applications than others.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the benefits of low-voltage CMOS (LVCMOS) outputs and how they differ from standard CMOS.

Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) clocks are a key technology that enables everything from laptops and smartphones to satellites and spacecraft. But what exactly do these devices do, and how are they beneficial in extreme environments and demanding applications?

In this article, we'll give a quick overview of the benefits of CMOS clocks and how RF engineers put them to work in some of the most challenging applications.

There are so many different devices and products for frequency generation and timing, and with all the acronyms and complex terminology of the RF industry, it can be confusing trying to understand what each type of clock or oscillator does.

In this article, we’re going to help clear up some of the confusion around CMOS clocks. We’ll cover what these devices are, why they're important, and how to know if they're the best fit for your application.

Harnessing the electromagnetic spectrum was one of the greatest technological leaps in human history. So many luxuries and necessities, products, services, and systems we take for granted are all in some way linked to electromagnetic technologies that make use of the radio frequency (RF) spectrum.

But as anyone who works in the RF industry knows, the first order of business when designing a new product or system is to determine what frequency band of RF spectrum is the best fit for the application.

That’s why we’ve taken the time to put together this guide that explains which applications each RF bandwidth range is best suited for, and which is the best fit for your project.

RF engineers are always trying to improve the performance of the systems they work on, but a perfect, 100% stable signal that never deviates from the intended frequency will probably never be attainable. The toll that the physical environment and time will take on a crystal remains a fact of life.

But that doesn’t stop us from always working towards getting as close to possible to that ideal. The effects of the physical environment and time can both be mitigated by selecting a high-quality quartz crystal oscillator. Picking the right one for the job depends on the application and other factors, like the amount of power available.

In this article, we will make the case that for those who are trying to minimize the effects of aging and improve stability without using a lot of power, a temperature compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) might be the right solution.

GPS disciplined oscillators (GPSDOs) are becoming a necessary component for CubeSats and other small satellites (SmallSats).

GPSDOs are comprised of a Global Position System (GPS) receiver, an oven controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO), and a phased-locked loop (PLL). In this blog, you'll get a deeper look into how GPSDOs are designed to help achieve mission success for your small satellite applications.

We've seen some confusion over which timing device works best in satellite communication applications. Should you use a standard oscillator (OCXO), a GPS disciplined oscillator (GPSDO), or an atomic clock in your satellite?

The short answer is, "it depends." You'll need to choose your timing device based on on your specific needs, limitations, and operational orbit. Let's take a look at each operational orbit (LEO, MEO, and GEO) and which types of timing devices their satellites require.