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Inside Frequency Control

The Ultimate Guide to Atomic Clocks in Space

Posted by Rob Rutkowski on Jun 21, 2023 9:00:00 AM

Do you know all about atomic clocks in space and how they work? If not, it's about TIME you do. (Haha. Ha. Ha...)

Timing is everything when it comes to GPS satellites and other space applications. Even just a one-microsecond error in timing can lead to an error of 300 meters on the ground. Because atomic clocks can maintain very precise timing, they're a great solution for GPS and other LEO satellites.

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Topics: Clocks & Crystals, RF Technology, Space & Satellites

Top 12 Space Podcasts for Space Geeks

Posted by Bliley Technologies on Aug 2, 2022 10:15:00 AM

Space podcasts have become very popular, and for good reason. The space industry has been 'skyrocketing' in recent years. SpaceX showed the world it's possible to reuse a space shuttle. Companies like OneWeb are now revolutionizing satellite communications technology. There are even companies planning out the colonization of mars and using asteroids as a source of water. 

We are quickly learning more and more about the deep depths of outer space...now more than ever. Following some of the best space podcasts can be a great way to keep up with the latest space technology, space exploration, and space science. Let's explore our top 12 (updated with 3 bonus additions on top of our original 9!)

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Topics: aerospace, Space & Satellites

What's The Differences Between the 5 GNSS Constellations?

Posted by Rob Rutkowski on Jan 25, 2022 8:30:00 AM

Before we dive into the differences between the 5 GNSS constellations... It's important that we're all on the same page with the difference between GNSS and GPS.

Many people get GNSS and GPS technology confused. A good way to think about the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) is as the backbone (or underlying technology) behind GPS. The Global Positioning System (GPS) GPS is a GNSS constellation, but GNSS is not always GPS. GPS is one of the 5 GNSS constellations used around the world.

The 5 GNSS constellations include GPS (US), QZSS (Japan), BEIDOU (China), GALILEO (EU), and GLONASS (Russia). We'll cover each of these constellations in-depth in this post.

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Topics: Space & Satellites, GPS & GNSS

5 FAQs About Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Constellations

Posted by Rob Rutkowski on Jun 15, 2021 7:50:00 AM

 

With the recent start of the new space revolution and the rapid growth of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation technology in recent years, there have been tons of questions being asked as to what all these new LEO satellite innovations and technologies are all about.

The LEO industry is skyrocketing with many new groundbreaking opportunities arising as new technologies are developed. Some even refer to this growth as the fourth industrial revolution. We're already seeing major players arise in this industry such as SpaceX, OneWeb, and Blue Origin. These are currently among the top companies in a race to bring the internet to the entire globe via Low Earth Orbit satellites.

In this post, we're going to answer:

  • What exactly is the purpose of these large LEO constellations?
  • Why are so many satellites needed?
  • How are LEO satellites different from traditional satellites?
  • Which frequency bands will these constellations operate on?
  • Who are the current major players in this space? (No pun intended)

Trust me, you’re going to want to know ALL of the answers with so much talk happening right now around this topic.

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Topics: Space & Satellites

19 Popular Cube Satellite Companies in Today's Market

Posted by Rob Rutkowski on Feb 4, 2020 7:28:00 AM

Welcome to the new world of CubeSat Manufacturers! These small satellites are becoming more and more popular in today’s new space industry. Their increasing popularity is mostly because of their small, lightweight, and inexpensive designs. The standard 1U Cube Satellite is 10cm x 10cm x 10cm in size. However, since their inception in 1999, new Cube Satellite companies have developed more variations in size to meet desired payload levels. A 1.5U, 2U, 3U, 6U, 8U, 12U etc. are now offered to meet customer's growing specifications. 

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Topics: Space & Satellites

6 Emerging PNT Technologies & Solutions of the Future

Posted by Rob Rutkowski on Jan 7, 2020 8:42:08 AM

The U.S Department of Homeland Security considers 13 of the nation’s 16 critical infrastructure sectors to be ‘critically dependent’ on PNT technology. Also, a loss of PNT would cost the U.S an estimated $10 BILLION a day. Not only do many everyday consumers use PNT & GPS on a daily basis, it's also crucial for military and intelligence operations. Other industries that strongly rely on GPS based PNT include

  • Radio communications
  • Network synchronization
  • Intelligence systems
  • Information gathering
  • Cruise missiles
  • Weapons systems
  • Electronic warfare
In this post we're going to cover some of the challenges facing PNT today as well as 6 emerging PNT technologies and solutions that will revolutionize the future.
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Topics: Space & Satellites, GPS & GNSS, Military & Defense, Defense & PNT

Should I Use a GPSDO or Atomic Clock in my Satellite Application?

Posted by Bliley Technologies on Apr 10, 2019 11:10:34 AM

There is often some confusion as to which timing device would work best in satellite communication applications. Should you use a standard oscillator, GPS Disciplined Oscillator (GPSDO), or atomic clock (cesium and rubidium) in your satellite application?

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Topics: Space & Satellites, Integrated RF

Creepy Frequencies: Scary Sounds of the Universe

Posted by Rob Rutkowski on Oct 2, 2018 8:54:00 AM

The fall and Halloween season is among us once again. (Finally!)

So yes, we're about to take on the challenge of linking frequency control to Halloween. Can it be done? Maybe. Will it be done? Yes. (We never let the word 'impossible' stop us in the past). 

In this post you're going to discover the dark, creepy side of frequency control by looking at some scary frequency sounds that can be found within our universe. 

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Topics: Space & Satellites

What's the Difference Between DVB-S2 and DVB-S2X Standards?

Posted by Rob Rutkowski on Jun 26, 2018 8:32:00 AM

In 1994, the world's first digital satellite TV services were launched in Thailand and South Africa. They utilized the newly developed Digital Video Broadcasting Satellite (DVB-S) system.

Over time, DVB-S became the most popular system for delivering digital TV broadcasts. Technology has advanced and spread tremendously since then, which lead to an increased need for advances to the DVB-S system. Thus, the DVB-S2 and DVB-S2X systems were born!

Let's take a look at these two DVB standards and the main differences between them. 

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Topics: Space & Satellites

Communication With Aliens - Interstellar Messages in Deep Space

Posted by Rob Rutkowski on Jun 5, 2018 7:50:00 AM

We can't possibly be the only intelligent life-forms in this infinite universe, can we? I mean, there's still plenty of exploring to do in our own solar system let alone nearby stars, our entire galaxy, and surrounding galaxies. Will our current deep space communication efforts, like Voyager 1, ever stumble across alien life so us humans can say, "Hi! We're here!"? Or will it take so long that our messages would be more like, "Hi! We were here!"? 

Let's explore some current communication efforts to make contact with aliens and how they work.

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Topics: crystal oscillators, Space & Satellites

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