Executive Summary: Traditional wisdom says that E-14 level Allan deviation (ADEV) requires a benchtop rack-mounted instrument weighing several kilograms. We challenge that assumption: KCCS offers a complete family of ultra-low ADEV OCXOs — from the flagship 8E-14 @ 10s KOA-50 to the compact 25×25mm KONS325 at 1.5E-13 @ 1s — all in PCB-mount packages, delivering metrology-class performance in a fraction of the size.
1. What is Allan Deviation (ADEV)?
Allan Deviation (σy(τ)) is the standard metric for characterizing the short-term frequency stability of oscillators. It measures how much the average frequency changes over a specified averaging time (τ).
For precision timing applications, ADEV at τ = 1s, 10s, and 100s is critical:
- τ = 1s: Important for RF phase noise, instrument reference, and digital data conversion
- τ = 10s: Key for synchronization, holdover performance, and PTP/NTP timing
- τ = 100s: Relevant for wander and long-holdover applications
The E-14 range (1 × 10-14) represents the top tier of OCXO performance — typically reserved for metrology labs, atomic clock references, and high-end test equipment.
2. The Industry Benchmark: Rakon HSO14 Series
Rakon is widely recognized as one of the world's leading precision oscillator manufacturers. Their HSO14 (High Stability Oscillator) series represents the state of the art for E-14 level OCXO performance — but it's designed as a benchtop instrument for metrology laboratories.
| Parameter | Rakon HSO14 |
|---|---|
| Short-Term Stability (ADEV) | 25E-14 (typical) |
| Package Type | Benchtop / Rack-mount instrument |
| Connectors | SMA output + DE-9P control interface |
| Form Factor | Large enclosure, requires external power supply & cabling |
| Temperature Range | 0°C to +50°C (lab environment only) |
| Typical Applications | Calibration labs, metrology, reference standards |
The HSO14 is an excellent product — but it's designed for a specific niche: metrology laboratories where size and power are secondary to raw performance. For system designers building products that need E-14 level stability inside the equipment, the benchtop form factor is impractical.
3. The KCCS Approach: E-14 Stability on a PCB
KCCS has spent years refining our oven control technology and crystal resonator selection to push OCXO performance into the E-14 range — without sacrificing the compactness, low power, and PCB-mount form factor that system designers need.
KCCS KOA-50 Ultra-Low ADEV OCXO (5 MHz)
| Parameter | KCCS KOA-50 (5 MHz) |
|---|---|
| Nominal Frequency | 5 MHz (other frequencies available on request) |
| Short-Term Stability (ADEV @ τ = 10s) | 8E-14 (typical) |
| Frequency Stability vs. Temperature | ±0.05 ppb (max) |
| Phase Noise @ 1 Hz offset | -131 dBc/Hz |
| Phase Noise @ 10 Hz offset | -151 dBc/Hz |
| Phase Noise @ 100 Hz offset | -155 dBc/Hz |
| Phase Noise @ 1 kHz offset | -161 dBc/Hz |
| Phase Noise @ 10 kHz offset | -161 dBc/Hz |
| Phase Noise @ 100 kHz offset | -162 dBc/Hz |
| Phase Noise Floor @ 1 MHz offset | -188 dBc/Hz |
| Package Size | 50 × 50 mm hermetic SMD / through-hole |
| Operating Temperature Range | -20°C to +60°C |
Note: This is our flagship ultra-low ADEV product. For applications requiring best-in-class phase noise (-170 dBc/Hz @ 1 kHz), see our separate ultra-low phase noise OCXO series.
KCCS KONS Series: Three Sizes to Fit Your Design
Beyond the KOA-50 flagship, KCCS offers a complete family of ultra-low ADEV OCXOs in three package sizes — from the full-size 50×50mm to the compact 25×25mm — all delivering 1E-13 class short-term stability:
| Model | KONS350 | KONS327 | KONS325 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package Size (mm) | DIP 50×50×15 | DIP 36×27×13.5 | DIP 25×25×12.7 |
| Short-Term Stability @ 1s | Two options available: ≤1.03E-13 or ≤1.5E-13 | ||
| Frequency Stability vs Temp | ≤±0.5 ppb | ||
| Operating Temp Range | Two options available: -40°C ~ +70°C or -55°C ~ +85°C | ||
| Frequency Range | 5 MHz ~ 10 MHz | ||
| Output Logic | Sine Wave | ||
| Supply Voltage | +12V | ||
KONS Series Phase Noise (Typical @ 10 MHz)
| Offset | Phase Noise |
|---|---|
| 1 Hz | -122 dBc/Hz |
| 10 Hz | -147 dBc/Hz |
| 100 Hz | -161 dBc/Hz |
| 1 kHz | -165 dBc/Hz |
| 10 kHz | -165 dBc/Hz |
| 100 kHz | -165 dBc/Hz |
| 1 MHz | -168 dBc/Hz |
The KONS325 at just 25×25×12.7mm is particularly notable: it delivers 1.5E-13 short-term stability and -165 dBc/Hz phase noise at 1 kHz in a package smaller than a postage stamp — ideal for space-constrained applications like small-cell 5G base stations, portable test equipment, and UAV payloads.
4. Side-by-Side Comparison
| Parameter | Rakon HSO14 | KCCS KOA-50 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADEV @ τ = 10s | 25E-14 | 8E-14 | KCCS (3x better) |
| Phase Noise @ 1 kHz | -165 dBc/Hz (typical) | -161 dBc/Hz | Comparable performance |
| Frequency Stability vs Temp | ±0.5 ppb (typical) | ±0.05 ppb (max) | KCCS (10x better) |
| Form Factor | Benchtop instrument (100s of cm³) | 50 × 50 mm SMD package | KCCS (10x smaller) |
| Integration Effort | External box + cables + power supply | Solder directly on PCB | KCCS |
| Weight | ~2–3 kg (instrument + cables) | < 50 g | KCCS (50x lighter) |
| Temperature Range | 0°C to +50°C (lab environment) | -20°C to +60°C | KCCS (wider operating range) |
| Target Price Point | $10,000+ (metrology grade) | Significantly lower (volume pricing) | KCCS |
Key Takeaway: KCCS delivers 3x better short-term stability (8E-14 vs 25E-14), 10x better temperature stability (±0.05 ppb vs ±0.5 ppb), in a 50×50mm SMD package that's 10x smaller and 50x lighter than a benchtop reference — ready to integrate directly on your PCB.
5. Why Compact E-14 Performance Matters
Until recently, E-14 level stability was only available in rack-mounted reference standards. This created a tradeoff for product designers:
- Build a benchtop instrument (too big, too expensive, too power-hungry for embedded systems)
- Or accept a lower-performance OCXO with 1E-12 or 1E-11 stability
KCCS removes that tradeoff. Applications that benefit from compact E-14 stability include:
5G / 6G Base Station Timing
Small cell and macro base stations require holdover accuracy of sub-microsecond over 24 hours. Ultra-low ADEV OCXOs ensure stable synchronization even during GNSS outages.
Satellite & Space Applications
Size, weight, and power (SWaP) are critical. A PCB-mount E-14 OCXO delivers lab-grade stability where a benchtop instrument simply won't fit.
Test & Measurement
High-speed oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and signal generators require ultra-stable references to achieve their specified measurement accuracy.
Oil & Gas Exploration
Downhole drilling tools and seismic acquisition systems operate in harsh environments and need precision timing in a very small form factor.
Financial Trading
High-frequency trading systems rely on precise time synchronization between exchanges. Low ADEV translates directly to tighter timing margins and fewer errors.
Defense & Radar
Phased array radar and electronic warfare systems demand ultra-low phase noise and excellent short-term stability in ruggedized packages.
6. How We Achieve E-14 Stability in a Small Package
Pushing OCXO performance into the E-14 range required innovation across multiple disciplines:
6.1 Ultra-Stable Oven Design
Our proprietary oven control loop maintains the crystal at its turnover temperature with sub-millikelvin precision. Digital temperature compensation algorithms eliminate the drift that plagues simpler analog oven designs.
6.2 Premium Crystal Resonators
We select only the highest-Q AT-cut crystal resonators from grade-A production runs. Each crystal is aged for 30+ days before integration, ensuring long-term stability is baked in from day one.
6.3 Low-Noise Circuit Topology
The oscillator circuit uses discrete low-noise transistors and careful layout techniques to achieve the -161 dBc/Hz @ 1 kHz phase noise that underpins the excellent ADEV performance.
7. Conclusion
The era where E-14 level short-term stability requires a room-sized metrology lab is over. KCCS has proven that world-class ADEV performance can be packaged in a compact, PCB-mount form factor — ready to integrate directly into your product.
Whether you're building the next generation of 5G base stations, satellite payloads, or precision test equipment, the KCCS ultra-low ADEV OCXO gives you Rakon-beating performance without the size, weight, and cost penalty of a benchtop reference.