Rubidium oscillators are improvised OCXOs with an atomic rubidium clock as the output frequency control, which is regarded as a standard for precise output frequency.
Crystal oscillator frequency output is stabilized to rubidium’s ultra-fine transition of 6834682610.904 Hz.
Rubidium oscillators are the most precise time standards used to regulate applications and systems like telecommunication infrastructure, commercial television networks, and global navigation satellite systems.
These oscillators gain significance, as overtime, OCXOs frequency timing changes making the frequency pulse run faster or slower than its regular pulse beat. The rubidium section checks the frequency of quartz oscillators and adjusts it accordingly to the rubidium frequency standard.
Besides, oscillators fitted with Rb circuitry are known to be stable even in extreme temperatures in the range of -30 to +60 degree centigrade.
There are no oscillators that are completely steady and consistent.
Oscillator stability can only be maintained if its design is appropriate right from the beginning itself. As a result, it is important to build and create oscillators utilizing the most up-to-date technology, based on the circuit requirements of a bigger application/system.
There are two types of Rubidium oscillators 1) Precision Rb oscillators set to 1PPS reference input 2) Low phase noise Rb oscillators that work well for CDMA, WiMax, and LTE base stations. See the Raditek Inc. website.