Microchip Technology has announced the launch of the EX 423 Evacuated Miniature Crystal Oscillator (EMXO), a compact low-power timing device engineered for applications that require high stability, accuracy, and long-term reliability in space- and power-constrained environments. The newly introduced EX 423 builds upon the company’s EX 421 oscillator portfolio and is designed to deliver enhanced RF performance, low phase noise, and improved thermal stability in a compact 13 mm x 13 mm package. The device is targeted at industries and applications where reliable frequency control and timing precision are critical, particularly in demanding operating conditions.
According to Microchip Technology, the EX 423 has been ruggedized using an ultra-high vacuum sealing process that provides advanced thermal insulation and supports improved frequency stability across varying environmental conditions. The oscillator’s quartz crystal structure incorporates a four-point mounting system designed to improve shock survivability while minimizing g-sensitivity, enabling stable operation in high-vibration and high-impact environments.
The company stated that the EX 423 is particularly suitable for applications such as GPS and GNSS tracking systems, military communication equipment, satellite communications, medical electronics, Ocean Bottom Node seismic systems, and advanced test and measurement equipment where timing accuracy and environmental durability are essential.
Randy Brudzinski, Corporate Vice President of Microchip’s Frequency and Time Systems Business Unit, said the EX 423 was developed with a focus on the key parameters engineers evaluate when selecting high-performance reference oscillators. He noted that delivering advanced RF performance and timing stability within a compact and ruggedized footprint enables customers to simplify system designs without sacrificing operational accuracy.
The oscillator combines ultra-low phase noise performance with tight temperature regulation and strong short-term frequency stability, often measured through Allan deviation. The device also delivers fast warm-up characteristics and reliable long-term frequency stability designed to support mission-critical applications that depend on highly accurate timing references.
Operating within a standard frequency range of 10 MHz to 20 MHz, the EX 423 has been optimized for energy efficiency in low-power systems. The oscillator consumes approximately 1 watt during warm-up while reducing power usage to as low as 0.2 watts at +25 degrees Celsius during steady-state operation. This low-power architecture helps extend battery life in portable and remote applications while maintaining stable signal performance under specified operating conditions.
As industries continue to expand the deployment of connected systems, navigation technologies, defense electronics, and advanced communications infrastructure, demand for compact and highly reliable timing solutions is increasing rapidly. Applications such as satellite communication terminals, portable military systems, remote sensing platforms, and autonomous monitoring systems require stable timing references capable of operating under challenging environmental and operational conditions.
Microchip Technology stated that the EX 423 is designed to address these evolving requirements by combining rugged construction, low power consumption, and advanced RF performance within a miniature package footprint suitable for modern electronic systems.
The launch also strengthens Microchip’s broader portfolio of frequency and timing solutions supporting aerospace, defense, industrial, medical, and communications markets globally. The company continues to invest in advanced timing technologies that enable higher system reliability, reduced signal interference, and improved synchronization across increasingly complex electronic architectures.
Microchip Technology is widely recognized for its semiconductor, embedded systems, and timing solutions used across automotive, industrial, aerospace, communications, and consumer electronics applications. Through ongoing innovation in frequency control and precision timing technologies, the company aims to support next-generation electronic systems that demand higher performance, lower power consumption, and improved operational resilience.
