Easily Integrate Position, Navigation and Timing Technology With Microchip’s Portfolio of GNSS Disciplined Oscillator Modules

Rhea-AI Summary

Microchip Technology (Nasdaq: MCHP) has unveiled its portfolio of GNSS Disciplined Oscillator (GNSSDO) Modules, integrating the company's embedded atomic clock and oscillator technologies. The portfolio includes three key products: the MD-013 ULTRA CLEAN for highest performance, the MD-300 for harsh environments, and the LM-010 for radiation-tolerant LEO applications.

The modules feature advanced capabilities including multi-GNSS constellation support, ultra-low phase noise performance of −119 dBc/Hz at 1 Hz offset, and exceptional short-term frequency stability. These solutions are specifically designed for military and defense applications such as radar, satellite communications, and critical Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) systems operating in GNSS-denied environments.

Positive

• Integration of advanced atomic clock and oscillator technologies into a comprehensive GNSSDO module portfolio
• High-performance specifications with ultra-low phase noise and exceptional frequency stability
• Versatile product range addressing multiple defense and aerospace applications
• Enhanced reliability with Microchip-manufactured components and extensive support tools

Negative

• None.

Insights

Defense Technology Analyst

Microchip's new GNSSDO modules strengthen its position in critical defense timing systems with advanced holdover capabilities for GNSS-denied environments.

Microchip Technology has launched a portfolio of GNSS Disciplined Oscillator (GNSSDO) Modules that significantly enhances its positioning in the critical defense timing market. These modules integrate the company's atomic clock and oscillator technologies to provide precise timing even when GNSS signals are unavailable—a crucial capability for modern military operations facing signal jamming or denial.

The portfolio includes three distinct modules: the MD-013 ULTRA CLEAN for highest performance with ultra-low phase noise (-119 dBc/Hz at 1 Hz offset), the MD-300 designed for harsh environments with high shock tolerance in a compact form factor, and the LM-010 specifically engineered for radiation-tolerant Low Earth Orbit applications.

The strategic significance lies in Microchip's vertical integration approach—these modules incorporate their own 32-bit MCUs, SmartFusion 2 FPGAs, and proprietary oscillator technologies. This integrated solution addresses a critical vulnerability in modern defense systems: dependence on potentially compromised GNSS signals. By providing precise timing holdover capabilities, these modules enable continued operations for radar, satellite communications, and battlefield networks when adversaries attempt to deny GNSS access.

These products align with the military's increasing focus on operating in contested electromagnetic environments and strengthen Microchip's position as a trusted supplier to defense contractors. The common communication protocols and configuration software further enhance the value proposition by simplifying integration into complex defense systems where development resources are often constrained by security requirements.

These high-performance, small-form-factor timing systems are designed for defense applications in GNSS-denied environments

CHANDLER, Ariz., Aug. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aerospace and defense applications rely on Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) technology for mission-critical accuracy and reliability. However, integrating PNT into a design requires extensive domain knowledge in this area. To fast track the development process, Microchip Technology (Nasdaq: MCHP) today announces its portfolio of GNSS Disciplined Oscillator (GNSSDO) Modules that integrate the company’s renowned embedded atomic clock and oscillator technologies, including the Chip-Scale Atomic Clock (CSAC), Miniature Atomic Clock (MAC) and Oven-Controlled Quartz Crystal Oscillators (OCXOs).

The GNSSDO modules process reference signals from GNSS or an alternative clock source and disciplines the on-board oscillator to the reference signal, enabling precise timing, stability and holdover performance based on end application requirements. These GNSSDOs are used in military and defense applications such as radar, satellite communications (SATCOM), mounted and dismounted radios, vehicle platforms and other critical PNT applications including GNSS-denied environments.

A GNSSDO module acts as a PNT subsystem within a larger system design or as a stand-alone system, providing precise timing that is critical to any high-performance system. The local oscillators used in the GNSSDO modules are engineered and manufactured by Microchip, ensuring customers have a product that they can trust. Other Microchip components on the module include 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) and SmartFusion® 2 FPGAs.

Microchip’s newly released GNSSDO modules include:

• The MD-013 ULTRA CLEAN is Microchip’s highest performance standard GNSSDO module that can support multiple GNSS constellations, including GPS, Galileo, BeiDou, and NavIC or an external reference input. This module is designed around a high-performance OCXO that enables outputs with ultra-low phase noise and short-term frequency stability characteristics. The respective specifications for phase noise performance are −119 dBc/Hz at a 1 Hz offset and noise floor of −165 dBc/Hz. Short-term frequency stability, measured by Allan Deviation (ADEV), is 3E-13 at 1s tau, 6E-13 at 10s tau and 9E-13 at 100s tau. This module can generate 1 PPS TTL, 10 MHz sine wave and 10 MHz square wave outputs that are disciplined to an embedded 72-channel single-band GNSS receiver, with the option to upgrade to a configurable L1/L2 or L1/L5 dual-band, multi-GNSS receiver. 
• The MD-300 is Microchip’s GNSSDO module for harsh environments, available in a small 1.5 × 2.5 inch footprint. The MD-300 has an embedded MEMS OCXO or TCXO as the local oscillator, enabling low g-sensitivity, high shock and vibration tolerance and low thermal transient response. Due to its Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) performance, the MD-300 is well-suited for applications like drones and manpacks. The module can discipline to an embedded GNSS receiver or external reference and output high- performance 10 MHz and 1 PPS signals.
  
• The LM-010 is a PPS disciplined module that provides precise timing for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) applications that demand radiation tolerance coupled with stability and holdover capability. As a standard platform module, the LM-010 provides both 1 PPS TTL and 10 MHz sinewave outputs that are disciplined to an external reference input. Internal to the module is Microchip’s digitally corrected OCXO or low-power CSAC SA.45.

“Microchip’s expertise in PNT systems is instrumental in helping our customers seamlessly integrate these GNSSDO modules into their designs,” said Randy Brudzinski, corporate vice president of Microchip’s frequency and time systems business unit. “Our products can be adjusted to meet the specific requirements of each application, whether it is through a custom solution or incremental changes to the standard product. We provide an end-to-end solution to streamline the development process.”

Microchip’s GNSSDO modules utilize a common serial communication protocol and Graphical User Interface (GUI) for command and control of the unit. A variety of parameters can be configured through the software including inputs, outputs, auto switching, holdover parameters, GNSS tracking and observables, as well as reporting messages coming off the serial interface.

Microchip offers a broad portfolio of high-reliability solutions designed for aerospace and defense including Radiation-Tolerant (RT) and Radiation-Hardened (RH) MCUs, FPGAs and Ethernet PHYs, power devices, RF products, timing solutions, as well as discrete components from bare die to system modules. Additionally, Microchip offers a wide range of components on the QPL to better serve its customers. To learn more about Microchip’s aerospace and defense solutions, visit the web page.

Development Tools

The GNSSDO portfolio is supported by Microchip’s VDOM3 software and GUI to help developers adjust performance parameters of the GNSSDO modules and quickly test integrating these products into their systems. The MD-01X Evaluation Kit is also available to easily connect and monitor the MD-01 series of GNSSDOs.

Pricing and Availability

The GNSSDO modules are available for purchase in production quantities. For additional information and to purchase, contact a Microchip sales representative or an authorized distributor.

Resources

High-res images available through Flickr or editorial contact (feel free to publish):

• Application image: www.flickr.com/photos/microchiptechnology/54505488012/sizes/l

About Microchip Technology:
Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of smart, connected and secure embedded control and processing solutions. Its easy-to-use development tools and comprehensive product portfolio enable customers to create optimal designs which reduce risk while lowering total system cost and time to market. The company’s solutions serve over 100,000 customers across the industrial, automotive, consumer, aerospace and defense, communications and computing markets. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com.

Note: The Microchip name and logo, the Microchip logo are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. SmartFusion is a registered trademark of Microchip Technology Inc. in the U.S.A. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

Editorial Contact:	Reader Inquiries:
Kim Dutton	1-888-624-7435
480-792-4386
kim.dutton@microchip.com

FAQ

What are the key features of Microchip's new GNSSDO Modules?

The modules feature embedded atomic clock technology, multi-GNSS constellation support, ultra-low phase noise (−119 dBc/Hz at 1 Hz offset), and precise timing capabilities. They include the MD-013 ULTRA CLEAN, MD-300, and LM-010 variants.

What applications are Microchip's GNSSDO Modules designed for?

The modules are designed for military and defense applications including radar, satellite communications (SATCOM), mounted and dismounted radios, vehicle platforms, and critical PNT applications in GNSS-denied environments.

What is the performance of Microchip's MD-013 ULTRA CLEAN GNSSDO module?

The MD-013 features phase noise performance of −119 dBc/Hz at 1 Hz offset, noise floor of −165 dBc/Hz, and short-term frequency stability with ADEV of 3E-13 at 1s tau.

How does Microchip support the integration of GNSSDO modules?

Microchip provides the VDOM3 software and GUI for parameter adjustment, the MD-01X Evaluation Kit for testing, and comprehensive technical support for system integration.

What are the key differences between Microchip's GNSSDO module variants?

The MD-013 offers highest performance with multi-GNSS support, the MD-300 is designed for harsh environments with low g-sensitivity, and the LM-010 provides radiation tolerance for LEO applications.