In the world of precision timing components, engineers often face a difficult trade-off between high stability and low power consumption. Traditional oven-controlled crystal oscillators (OCXOs) deliver exceptional frequency accuracy but typically require several watts of power, making them unsuitable for battery-powered or thermally sensitive designs. Raltron’s new OXL Series of Low Power OCXOs directly addresses this challenge, offering OCXO-class performance with steady-state power consumption of just 0.3 W at +25°C. This breakthrough makes the OXL Series a compelling choice for designers of portable and remote systems who cannot compromise on timing precision.
Raltron is a well-established manufacturer of frequency control components, antennas, and audio devices, with an ISO-9001:2015 certified facility in Miami, Florida. The OXL Series, comprising models OXL16, OXL18, OXL20, and OXL28, represents the company’s latest innovation in low-power precision timing. By combining excellent frequency stability and low phase noise with minimal power draw, these oscillators enable new possibilities in portable microwave and RF communication systems, military mobile communications, test equipment, radar, satellite communications, and medical instrumentation. The series is available now with short lead times and direct access to Raltron’s engineering team.
What is the Raltron OXL Series?
The Raltron OXL Series is a family of low-power oven-controlled crystal oscillators (OCXOs) designed to provide precision timing in power-constrained environments. Unlike standard OCXOs that require significant power to maintain a stable internal temperature, the OXL Series achieves steady-state consumption of only 0.3 W while delivering frequency stability and phase noise performance comparable to traditional OCXOs. The oscillators cover a frequency range of 10 MHz to 100 MHz, making them suitable for a wide variety of applications.
Each oscillator in the series—OXL16, OXL18, OXL20, and OXL28—is built for reliability and performance. The warm-up time is one minute maximum at +25°C to reach a frequency deviation within ±100 parts per billion (ppb) relative to the frequency measured after one hour of operation. This rapid stabilization is critical for systems that need to start quickly without sacrificing accuracy. Raltron manufactures these components in its Miami facility, ensuring domestic supply and quality control.
What Stands Out
Ultra-Low Power Consumption
The standout feature of the OXL Series is its remarkably low steady-state power consumption of just 0.3 W at +25°C. This is a fraction of the power required by conventional OCXOs, which often consume 1 W or more. For designers of battery-operated portable equipment, this reduction can significantly extend operational life and reduce thermal management challenges.
OCXO-Class Stability
Despite the low power draw, the OXL Series does not compromise on frequency stability or phase noise. These oscillators deliver the precision timing that engineers expect from oven-controlled designs, making them suitable for demanding applications such as radar, satellite communications, and precision test instrumentation. The low phase noise also benefits sensitive RF and microwave systems.
Wide Frequency Range
With frequencies available from 10 MHz to 100 MHz, the OXL Series covers a broad spectrum of common reference frequencies. This flexibility allows designers to use the same family across multiple projects, simplifying inventory and qualification processes. The oscillators are available in several package sizes (OXL16, OXL18, OXL20, OXL28) to suit different board layouts and space constraints.
Domestic Manufacturing and Support
Raltron manufactures the OXL Series in its Miami, Florida facility, offering customers a domestic source for precision timing components. This provides advantages in terms of shorter lead times, easier communication, and direct access to the design engineering team. For companies concerned about supply chain reliability, this is a significant benefit.
Who It’s For
The Raltron OXL Series is designed for engineers and product developers working on portable, battery-powered, or thermally sensitive systems that require precision frequency references. Key target applications include portable microwave and RF communication systems, military mobile communications, portable test and measurement equipment, radar and satellite communication systems, seismic monitoring equipment, medical instrumentation, and ocean-bottom seismometer (OBS) nodes used in offshore exploration. The series is also suitable for any design where low power and high stability are both critical.
These oscillators are ideal for companies that need a reliable domestic source for OCXOs with short lead times. Raltron’s direct engineering support further benefits teams that require custom specifications or technical guidance during the design-in process. Whether for a new product development or a replacement in an existing system, the OXL Series offers a compelling combination of performance and efficiency.
Pricing and Availability
The Raltron OXL Series is available now. Pricing information is not publicly listed, as it typically depends on frequency, quantity, and specific model requirements. Interested buyers can request quotes by contacting Raltron at sales@raltron.com or by calling +1 305-593-6033. Datasheets and additional technical information can be found on the product page at www.raltron.com/ocxo-low-power-clock-oscillator. Raltron’s network of authorized distributors also carries these products, providing additional purchasing options.
What Makes It Worth Considering
The Raltron OXL Series addresses a critical gap in the precision timing market: the need for OCXO-level performance in power-constrained applications. By reducing steady-state power consumption to just 0.3 W, these oscillators enable designers to incorporate oven-controlled stability into portable and battery-powered products that previously relied on less stable TCXOs or standard crystal oscillators. This can lead to better system performance, longer battery life, and reduced heat dissipation.
Additionally, the domestic manufacturing and short lead times offered by Raltron provide supply chain advantages that are increasingly important in today’s global market. The direct access to Raltron’s engineering team also facilitates faster design cycles and easier troubleshooting. For companies prioritizing precision, reliability, and power efficiency, the OXL Series represents a smart investment.
Verdict
Raltron’s OXL Series sets a new benchmark for low-power precision timing, ideal for demanding portable and remote applications. With its combination of ultra-low power consumption, OCXO-class stability, and domestic manufacturing, this series is a standout choice for engineers who need reliable frequency references without the power penalty. The availability of multiple models and a wide frequency range further enhances its versatility. For any design where every milliwatt matters, the OXL Series deserves serious consideration.
Frequently asked questions
The OXL Series consumes only 0.3 W steady-state at +25u00b0C, with a maximum warm-up power of 1.2 W.
The OXL Series covers 10 MHz to 100 MHz.
They are manufactured at Raltron's facility in Miami, Florida, USA.
Warm-up time is one minute maximum at +25u00b0C to reach a frequency deviation within u00b1100 ppb relative to the one-hour frequency.
They are designed for portable microwave and RF communication systems, military mobile communications, test equipment, radar, satellite communications, and medical instrumentation.
Contact Raltron at sales@raltron.com or +1 305-593-6033.
Yes, datasheets are available at www.raltron.com/ocxo-low-power-clock-oscillator.
