Space missions demand flawless timing. A radiation-tolerant clock generator promises cleaner synchronisation, fewer components and lower power for next-generation spacecraft electronics.
Microchip Technology has introduced the DSA504RT, a radiation-tolerant six-output programmable clock generator designed for spacecraft timing and high-reliability aerospace and defence applications. The device generates multiple phase-aligned clock frequencies from a single master source, reducing the need for discrete oscillators, buffers and synthesisers while lowering board space, power consumption and overall component count.
The clock generator supports three clock families and up to six independently configurable output frequencies, with selectable differential output standards including LVPECL, LVDS and HCSL, or paired single-ended CMOS outputs. According to the company, the integrated architecture helps improve system reliability by reducing potential failure points in space-grade electronic systems.
The device incorporates an analogue phase-locked loop (APLL) with spread-spectrum capability, two fractional dividers, two integer dividers and six configurable output buffers. It delivers jitter performance as low as 200 femtoseconds (12kHz–20MHz) and complies with PCIe Gen 1–7 standards, making it suitable for precision timing applications.
Microchip said the clock generator addresses increasingly complex timing requirements in spacecraft and defence electronics while simplifying clock-tree design. The DSA504RT is currently available in limited sampling for evaluation and development.
Click here for original announcement.
