High frequency OCXO for Space applications

Abstract

In recent times there is an increasing demand for the use of high frequency Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillators (OCXO) as a reference source for satellite communication payloads. OCXOs with reference frequency of 128MHz are designed & realized. OCXOs are proposed to be used in satellite communication payloads by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The goal was to demonstrate the electrical performance & ruggedness of OCXO for Space application. The Main performance parameters achieved for Flight Model (FM) OCXO is summarized. Parameters of the Crystal used for this application to achieve optimum performance is also discussed. The Screening test of FM units have undergone through Stabilization Bake, Initial Stage Aging at 60°C, Thermal Shock, Operational Temp Test, Random vibration, Aging at 25°C, Radiographic inspection as per MIL standards. Thermo vacuum test is also carried out on few samples.