The expanding New Space industry is increasing the need for compact and cost-efficient space equipment designed for shorter missions, including satellite-to-mobile connectivity, next-generation navigation and Earth observation. In response, Microchip Technology has expanded its atomic clock lineup with the radiation-tolerant Space CSAC-SA65. This chip-scale atomic clock is built to provide highly accurate timing for space-based systems. Its small size and low power consumption offer an alternative to conventional radiation-hardened timing technologies, helping engineers lower overall system size, weight, power requirements and costs without sacrificing timing precision.
Building on the heritage of Microchip’s Space CSAC-SA45, the Space CSAC-SA65 extends radiation tolerance to at least 30 kRad and operates in extended temperature ranges from –40°C to +80°C. Consuming less than 120 mW and occupying less than 17 cc of volume, the device is optimized for size-, weight- and power-constrained satellite designs. Its built-in 1 PPS input and output capabilities support synchronization for satellite systems, while its atomic stability enables extended operation without continuous reliance on external timing references such as Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals.
“By enabling one of the lowest power atomic clocks to thrive in extreme conditions, even the smallest CubeSat can now fly with atomic accuracy,” said Randy Brudzinski, corporate vice president of Microchip’s frequency and time systems business unit. “The Space CSAC-SA65 brings atomic-clock performance to applications where size, weight, power and cost are tightly constrained, helping developers maintain synchronization and timing accuracy even when external timing references are unavailable.”
Manufactured as a Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) product using radiation-tolerant commercial electronic components, the device can offer shorter lead times and lower overall costs compared to traditional space-grade oscillators. Designed for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) missions, the CSAC-SA65 is well suited for applications including satellite timing and frequency control, satellite clock reference, assured positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), and satellite cross-linking.
Microchip offers an extensive portfolio of clock and timing systems, ranging from miniature component oscillators, to small plug-in timing server cards, to multi-rack time scale systems. As a primary contributor to the world’s time, Microchip’s timing solutions are trusted, reliable and resilient.
