Commercial Satellite Navigation Using SAW Oscillator

A 375 MHz SAW resonator controlled oscillator is developed for application in the Transit satellite marine navigation system. The SAW oscillator, in a two-cubic-inch hybrid package, contains a heater, a voltage regulator and a divider and is a direct replacement for a bulk wave oscillator and its multiplier chain. Short term stability of 2E-10 and aging of 3E-8/day were achieved at 75 'C. Comparison tests showed that the navigation system accuracy with the SAW oscillator was equivalent to a bulk oscillator.