Long term characterization of voltage references

TL;DR

This study characterizes voltage references at very low frequencies to identify candidates suitable for space interferometry, finding that none fully meet the stability requirements but highlighting four promising options.

Contribution

It provides updated low-frequency characterization data of voltage references, including a new candidate using bandgap technology for space applications.

Findings

No device met the 1 ppm/√Hz stability at 0.1 mHz

Four references approached the stability target

A new bandgap-based reference was identified as promising

Abstract

We report here the characterization (temperature coefficients and noise level) of selected voltage references in the frequency range from 10^(-5) to 10 Hz. The goal of this work is to update previous studies, with a characterization at lower frequencies, and find voltage references that may be suitable for the space-based interferometry mission eLISA. The requirements of relative output stability of 1 ppm/$\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$ down to 0.1 mHz were not met by any of the tested devices, but 4 references approaches the objective : the AD587UQ, the MAX6126AASA50, the LT1021-BCN8-5 and the LT6655BHM. While the first three were already identified as potential devices in previous studies, the later is a new promising candidate using a different technology (bandgap).