Low-Cost, High-Stability Arbitrary Clock Source Using Software GNSS Drift Correction

Clock drift is a major challenge for most RF systems in the field. There are many different solutions to obviate or compensate clock drift in these applications, though most are very complex and expensive. In this publication we present an arbitrary clock source, that uses a hybrid phase-locked loop concept to compensate drift of an oven-controlled oscillator by using an integrated clock synthesizer circuit. This allows for a cost effective design, that can use global satellite navigation systems, internal and external temperature sources, an aging model and automatic frequency control information from RF transceivers as an error correction source for the clock drift.