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PNT Technology for GNSS-Denied Environments Microchip Launches GNSS Disciplined Oscillator Modules for Defense Applications

Source: Microchip 2 min Reading Time

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Microchip has introduced a portfolio of GNSS Disciplined Oscillator (GNSSDO) modules designed to simplify the integration of Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) systems into aerospace and defense platforms. The new products combine embedded atomic clocks and oscillators with flexible GNSS receiver options, providing precise timing and resilience in GNSS-denied environments.

Microchip’s new GNSSDO modules integrate embedded atomic clocks and oscillator technologies to deliver precise timing for defense platforms in GNSS-denied environments.(Source: Image: Microchip Technology)
Microchip’s new GNSSDO modules integrate embedded atomic clocks and oscillator technologies to deliver precise timing for defense platforms in GNSS-denied environments.
(Source: Image: Microchip Technology)

PNT technologies are essential for mission-critical applications such as radar, SATCOM, military radios, vehicle platforms and space systems. Integrating them, however, requires specialist expertise. Microchip’s new GNSSDO modules act as subsystems or stand-alone timing solutions, disciplined either to GNSS constellations or external references, enabling accurate timing, stability and holdover.

The portfolio integrates Microchip’s established atomic clock and oscillator technologies — including Chip-Scale Atomic Clock (CSAC), Miniature Atomic Clock (MAC) and Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillators (OCXO) — alongside 32-bit microcontrollers and SmartFusion 2 FPGAs.

New modules include:

  • MD-013 ULTRA CLEAN: High-performance OCXO-based module supporting GPS, Galileo, BeiDou and NavIC, with ultra-low phase noise (−119 dBc/Hz at 1 Hz offset, −165 dBc/Hz noise floor) and short-term frequency stability (ADEV 3E-13 at 1s). Outputs include 1 PPS, 10 MHz sine and square wave.
  • MD-300: Compact 1.5 × 2.5-inch GNSSDO for harsh environments, available with MEMS OCXO or TCXO. Designed for Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) constrained systems such as drones and manpacks, offering resilience to shock, vibration and thermal transients.
  • LM-010: PPS-disciplined module for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) missions, combining radiation tolerance with stability and holdover, based on digitally corrected OCXOs or low-power CSAC technology.

“Microchip’s expertise in PNT systems is instrumental in helping customers integrate these modules into their designs,” said Randy Brudzinski, corporate vice president of Microchip’s frequency and time systems business. “Our portfolio offers customisation and incremental upgrades to meet the specific needs of each mission.”

All GNSSDO modules support a common serial protocol and graphical user interface (GUI) for configuration and monitoring. Development tools include the VDOM3 software suite and the MD-01X evaluation kit for rapid system testing.

Microchip positions the new modules as part of its broader aerospace and defense portfolio, which spans radiation-tolerant microcontrollers, FPGAs, power devices, RF components and qualified discrete parts.

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