Symmetricom has announced the company has been awarded a contract from ITT Corporation Space Systems Division valued at a minimum of $4 million, part of the building of GPS IIIA, the next generation Global Positioning System (GPS) Space System program.

Under the award, Symmetricom will deliver its Model 9552 Ovenized Quartz Master Oscillators over three years, including developing, qualifying and delivering flight oscillators for the first two space vehicles.

"The Model 9552 oscillator continues Symmetricom's legacy in the GPS program beginning with our cesium clocks for GPS blocks I, II, IIA and IIF," commented Peter Cash, director, Space, Defense and Avionics Group at Symmetricom.

"The 9552 is an excellent choice as it delivers the highest levels of reliability and performance available in a space qualified quartz oscillator, including excellent short-term stability, phase noise and aging characteristics under severe environments."

The Model 9552 is a high performance oven-controlled quartz crystal oscillator that produces a highly stable, low noise reference frequency output.

It is particularly suited to space applications and can be used as the on-board frequency reference for a satellite or ground station. The oscillator will produce the output frequency for the GPS IIIA Navigation payload by means of steering from the on-board Atomic Frequency Standards.

"Symmetricom's contributions in upgrading the GPS system will have significant impact in helping to increase accuracy and assuring availability for military and civilian users worldwide," commented Russ Bouwense, GPS IIIA subcontracts manager at ITT.

More information:

http://www.gpsdaily.com/reports/Symmetricom_Awarded_Contract_On_Next_Gen_GPS_999.html