Delays in electronic production lines too often limit the availability of components essential for electronic defense systems. System designers must choose their suppliers wisely, for fear of a source going out of business of a key component becoming obsolete. Fortunately, military and aerospace systems developers have learned to use commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) parts that can be ruggedized to meet specifications for space and other hostile operating environments. As an example, Q-Tech Corp. recently made available space-qualified and B-level quartz crystal oscillators in a variety of packages. Having such rugged components ready to ship solves supply-chain problems in military, aerospace, and high-temperature applications requiring fully tested and performance-certified crystal oscillators. As an additional bonus, such oscillators are available at much lower costs than fully space-qualified components.
The in-stock oscillators include standard crystal oscillators (XOs), temperature-compensated crystal oscillators (TCXOs), oven-controlled crystal oscillators (OCXOs), and even surface-acoustic-wave (SAW) oscillators in compact housings (see figure). The space-qualified oscillators are screened to withstand damage from high levels of ionizing radiation, meeting compliance requirements within a total dose range 50 to 300 krad(Si) for radiation hardened (Rad Hard) components.
The B-Level components are produced according to the same quality standards but less costly than fully qualified devices undergoing extensive sets of qualification testing procedures. “While high-reliability crystal oscillators have a tremendous heritage for flight and non-flight applications, lead times are often critical in meeting urgent program needs,” said Scott Sentz, Q-Tech’s Director of Sales and Marketing. “By offering a broad range of readily available stock, Q-Tech is often in a position to fill this void.”