“We are very excited about the impact of this technology not only with system redundancy issues but also its broader application with smart sensors,” notes Chuck Ulland, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at NEL Frequency Controls. “Frequency detection capability that is sensitive to slight signal change opens the door to a lot of smart system possibilities.”
One example of how this technology can be employed features a Redundant Clock Module with two crystal controlled (XO) oscillators, a phase detector, and a filter. Each oscillator has a control loop that monitors frequency output. If the oscillator runs at a higher or lower frequency or completely stops, the control loop filter quickly detects the irregularity in the signal. The module then switches to the operable oscillator within one
output cycle, providing a glitch free transition between clocks and preventing system failure. NEL Frequency Controls is a U.S. based manufacturer of frequency control products, located in Burlington, WI. The company is recognized worldwide for its leading edge frequency control solutions and supports mission critical applications through its HALT/HASS reliability program that ensures oscillator robustness and start-up reliability. NEL Frequency Controls is ISO 9001-2000 certified.