LBE-1602 Precision Frequency Reference

[eurofox]

I just wonder how it work and if it really provide atomic-level precision 

It is not GPS based 

LBE-1602 Instant-On Precision Oscillator
The LBE-1602 delivers rubidium-grade frequency stability with zero warm-up delay, housed in a compact, sleek enclosure designed for portability. With an adjustable output spanning 30 kHz to 300 MHz at 3.3 V, it’s a versatile timing core for portable test gear, high-performance communication modules, and timing-critical systems — offering atomic-level precision without the bulk or boot time.

Drawing just 80 mA, the LBE-1602 is ideal for low-power applications where efficiency matters. Whether you’re reclocking high-speed data, deploying scientific instruments, or backing up GPS-disciplined systems, it powers up instantly and holds steady.

Key Features
Instant Power-Up: Ready within milliseconds — no warm-up required
Rubidium-Grade Stability: Exceptional short- and long-term frequency accuracy
Adjustable Output: 30 kHz to 300 MHz at 3.3 V logic level
Compact & Portable: Sleek enclosure fits into mobile setups and field kits
Low Power Consumption: Operates efficiently at just 80 mA

https://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=148&products_id=644

[bnz]

It is strange the Leo Bondar has no hard numbers as specifications. Rubidium-Grade Stability ... well there are Rubidiums and there are Rubidiums 

[DimitriP]

It is strange the Leo Bondar has no hard numbers as specifications. Rubidium-Grade Stability ... well there are Rubidiums and there are Rubidiums 

modern TCXO tech has come a long way...some are "exceptional", but they age faster
"best in class"

[mendip_discovery]

Im guessing its a new product as there is no datasheet mentioned yet.

Given the price I suspect it has a high quality ref inside.

I guess we just have to wait for the man himself the respond. Better put the kettle on for him.

[Leo Bodnar]

Cheers for the cuppa!
I am still working on finalising the specification and the firmware but the target spec is one ppb (10^-9) within one second of powering up in room temperature condition.

This one is for the situations when you have no time, or no GPS or neither at the same time.

Leo

[DimitriP]

Cheers for the cuppa!
I am still working on finalising the specification and the firmware but the target spec is one ppb (10^-9) within one second of powering up in room temperature condition.

This one is for the situations when you have no time, or no GPS or neither at the same time.

Leo

Ok, I'll go out on a limb and say: Nope.

Unless it's using parts harvested from a recently crashed UFO, (or whatever the are called this week),
Based on size, price, lack of GPS sync, lack of continuous power, a target of 1ppb within  1 second of power up, is wishful thinking and just that; a target.
Unless 1ppb within a second of powerup doesn't mean what I think it means.
In the least, if you don't have GPS or the time, you need a room at the right temperature?

Can't wait to find out what I'm missing here 

[TheDefpom]

Fancy sending one my way to review ? You have my address already from the feature I did on the LBE1321.

[fourfathom]

Any updates? I'm looking for a gpsdo with better holdover than the Bodnar units we are currently specifying.  Yes I know this isn't  that,  but I'm intrigued.

[0xdeadbeef]

Just stumbled over it in the Batronix shop, where it's in stock. There's also a data sheet now.
https://leobodnar.com/files/datasheets/LBE-1602-Datasheet-V1.0-Initial-01-07-2026.pdf

It says
• ±0.8ppb Stability (-20ºC to 40ºC)
• 0.2ppb Daily Ageing

Stability is great, but in comparison the daily (!) ageing seems somewhat high. Like 1ppm in 500 days. Hm. This is more or less what you would expect from a "normal" TCXO.
Also, it says you can select the output frequency, but there doesn't seem to be any kind of download for a tool or manual.

[Leo Bodnar]

• ±0.8ppb Stability (-20ºC to 40ºC)
• 0.2ppb Daily Ageing
Stability is great, but in comparison the daily (!) ageing seems somewhat high. Like 1ppm in 500 days. Hm. This is more or less what you would expect from a "normal" TCXO.
Also, it says you can select the output frequency, but there doesn't seem to be any kind of download for a tool or manual.

Hi,
Long term ageing has asymptotic behaviour and is not related to daily ageing in a linear way.
1 year ageing is around 60ppb and 20 year ageing is around 120ppb.
The real figures should be better than that — we age them in-house for about a month to remove the initial ageing knee.

Output frequency and tuning is available via USB virtual serial port — any terminal application should be enough.
Thanks
Leo

[0xdeadbeef]

Long term ageing has asymptotic behaviour and is not related to daily ageing in a linear way.
1 year ageing is around 60ppb and 20 year ageing is around 120ppb.
The real figures should be better than that — we age them in-house for about a month to remove the initial ageing knee.

Thanks for clarifying. Maybe it would make sense to specify that in the datasheet to avoid confusion.

Output frequency and tuning is available via USB virtual serial port — any terminal application should be enough.

Still, I'd think that some instructions what to send at what baudrate etc.would be needed, or did I overlook something?
I just found a datasheet which doesn't even mention configuration.

[Leo Bodnar]

0xdeadbeef ,

LBE-1602 is configured via virtual serial port — the baudrate and other settings are not required (they are ignored.)
Output frequency resolution is 1Hz and the range is 25kHz to 325MHz.

Thanks
Leo