Rakon Unveils Ultra-Stable Space OCXO to Challenge Miniature Atomic Clocks

Rakon, a leading manufacturer of frequency control and timing solutions, announced a breakthrough addition to its RK409 series of Ultra Stable OCXOs: the RK409RBNS Ultra Stable Oscillator (USO), a compact, cost-effective alternative to miniature rubidium atomic clocks. For many years, Rakon’s RK409 series has been a trusted choice for space missions, with nearly 200 units operating across GEO, MEO, and LEO spacecraft, satellite platforms and payloads, including missions such as Galileo, Jason and HTV. 

The RK409RBNS delivers exceptional performance by combining: 

• Short-term Allan Deviation (ADEV) typical of space quartz oscillators: 2.5E-13 at τ = 1s. 
• Long-term ADEV usually reserved for mini rubidium atomic clocks: 3E-12 at τ = 10,000s. 
• Frequency stability of ±0.25 ppb across -20°C to +50°C in vacuum. 
• Long-term ageing of ≤ ±100 ppb over 5 years at 10 MHz.

Its highly accurate and stable Radio Frequency (RF) output signal provides a precise reference frequency for spacecraft systems, whilst its superior short-term stability makes it ideal for LEO high-end telecom, GNSS and PNT payload requirements. 

With the launch of RK409RBNS, the RK409 family now supports an even broader range of space applications: