Glossary

A crystal resonator (Xtal) is a passive component that uses a quartz crystal to provide a stable frequency and is used as the frequency reference in oscillators and timing circuits.
Rakon’s crystal resonator types include tuning fork, standard SMD, and leaded crystal resonators.

Generally, XOs are lower in cost than TCXOs as they do not have temperature compensation. They are simply quartz crystals combined with basic oscillation circuitry. XOs can offer high frequencies with low performance. They are typically used in telecommunication networks and other broadband applications.

Rakon’s advanced quartz-based resonator technology. It is made with Rakon’s NanoQuartz™ microfabrication process, delivering unprecedented resonator and oscillator performance.

In some industries reliability and high precision performance are critical. Rakon’s high reliability solutions are found in space, defence and industrial applications which require the most stringent performance criteria.

High Stability TCXOs are used in high volume, high performance markets such as mobile phone devices where small oscillator size is important. High Stability TCXOs have a typical performance of 0.5 parts per million (ppm) over wide temperature ranges. They are available in sizes as small as 2.0 x 1.6 mm.

An oscillator is an electronic device or circuit that generates a stable, periodic electrical signal (a clock signal) at a defined frequency, typically using a crystal resonator and associated components.
Rakon’s core oscillator families include OCXO & OCSO, TCXO, VCXO & VCSO, VCO, and XO.

OCXOs are used in applications where precise reference clocks are needed to secure high volume data traffic. Stabilities can be as tight as less than 1 part per billion (ppb). OCXOs are generally more expensive, physically larger and consume more power than a TCXO.

An oven controlled oscillator using Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) technology instead of a quartz crystal.

ppm, ppb, and ppt are units used to describe very small frequency errors relative to a nominal (reference) frequency. Instead of showing the error in hertz (Hz), they express it as a very small fraction of the intended frequency.

• ppm (parts per million) = 10⁻⁶

• ppb (parts per billion) = 10⁻⁹

• ppt (parts per trillion) = 10⁻¹²

These units make it easy to compare frequency accuracy and stability across different operating frequencies.

Example: A 1 Hz error equals:

• 1 ppm at 1 MHz

• 1 ppb at 1 GHz

• 1 ppt at 1 THz

ppm, ppb, and ppt are commonly used to specify frequency performance such as tolerance, stability (short- and long term), temperature effects, ageing, and holdover in filters, crystal resonators, oscillators, clocks, timing systems, and related equipment.

Phase-locked oscillators (PLO) are frequency sources that deliver a signal of high spectral purity. Integrated stable reference is the key building block of PLOs, enabling a better close-in phase noise and achieving a lower noise floor. PLOs are generally used in communication and radar applications.

A small, lower cost, cellular base station, typically installed on lamp posts which provides a limited area coverage compared to conventional (macro)base stations. Small cells are expected to reduce the need for macro stations.

A portable device with added data functionality such as internet access, computing and video capability. Examples include smart phones and tablets.

At the heart of SAW oscillators are SAW resonators that use the piezoelectric effect to generate electrically stimulated acoustic waves at a resonant frequency.

A TCXO is essentially a quartz crystal combined with electronic circuitry to make it oscillate and it also removes much of the error in frequency caused by variations in temperature.

Timing Equipment refers to standalone systems whose primary function is to provide precise time and frequency references for other systems. These units generate, maintain, or distribute timing signals to ensure synchronised and reliable operation across platforms.

They are fully integrated and deployable, with standard interfaces to deliver timing outputs such as PPS, frequency signals, or network-based synchronisation.

Rakon provides Timing Equipment such as GNSS receivers and Software Defined Radio (SDR) platforms that deliver precise synchronization and timing services for NewSpace payloads and platforms.

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A Timing Module is a self-contained unit that provides precise timing or synchronisation within a system. It typically integrates a high-stability oscillator, control electronics, and optional disciplining sources (e.g., GNSS) to ensure accurate and reliable time and frequency distribution.

Rakon timing solutions, such as PPSDO (or Smart OCXO), can be used as timing modules in system-level applications.

A Timing Subsystem is a functional assembly that generates, conditions, or distributes precise time and frequency signals within a larger system. It performs a defined role in the timing chain but must be integrated into higher-level equipment to operate.
These subsystems provide the critical building blocks for timing performance, including clock generation, frequency synthesis, and signal distribution.
Rakon Timing Subsystems include Master Reference Oscillators (MRO), PLDROs, Digital Pulse Compression Subsystems (DPCSS), Frequency Multipliers, Frequency Synthesisers, and Signal Distribution Amplifiers.

An extremely stable oscillator used in high-end space and instrumentation applications.

Many applications demand an even higher level of performance than our high stability TCXOs. Rakon’s Ultra Stable TCXOs can achieve stabilities better than 100 parts per billion (ppb) over temperature.

A VCXO is an oscillator designed to have its oscillation frequency changed significantly by a controlled voltage. Customers using high performing OCXOs for base stations and telecom infrastructure also use many VCXOs at different frequencies as part of their timing network requirements. VCXOs can offer much higher frequencies as well as low noise performance. They are typically used in telecommunication networks.

A purely electronic oscillator circuit with an adjustable output frequency, without the use of a crystal or SAW resonator.

A SAW oscillator with an adjustable output frequency.

Rakon’s advanced quartz-based resonator technology. It is made with Rakon’s NanoQuartz™ microfabrication process, delivering unprecedented resonator and oscillator performance.

Short for 'crystal resonator', or 'crystal'. 

Generally, XOs are lower in cost than TCXOs as they do not have temperature compensation. They are simply quartz crystals combined with basic oscillation circuitry. XOs can offer high frequencies with low performance. They are typically used in telecommunication networks and other broadband applications.