Lower power oscillator with heated resonator (S), with dual mode or other temperature sensing, possibly with an insulative support structure disposed between the resonator (S) and a resonator enclosure

A temperature-controlled resonator oscillator, comprising:

• an SC-cut resonator;
• a heating element in substantially direct thermal contact with the SC-cut resonator, for applying heat to the SC-cut resonator;
• a heat-sensing device, separated from the SC-cut resonator by a substantial thermal resistance, for indirectly sensing the temperature of the resonator;
• and
• a heater control circuit receiving the sensed temperature and generating a heater control signal for determining the manner in which heat is applied to the SC-cut resonator by the heating element;
• wherein the heater control circuit provides dynamic control of the SC-cut resonator's resonant frequency through feedback of the sensed temperature in a substantially closed-loop manner.

A temperature-controlled resonator oscillator, comprising:

• a resonator functioning in two modes,
• 1) the first mode producing a first signal at a first frequency, and
• 2) the second mode producing a second signal at a second frequency which may be distinct from the first frequency;
• a heating element in a substantially direct thermal contact with the resonator, for applying heat to the resonator;
• a feedback circuit, receiving the first and second signals for generating a temperature feedback signal substantially indicative of the temperature of the resonator;
• and
• a heater controller circuit, responsive to the temperature feedback signal, for controlling the manner in which the heating element applies heat to the resonator.

A resonator oscillator for producing an output signal having an output frequency, comprising:

• a resonator enclosure;
• a first element within the enclosure;
• a heating element in substantially direct thermal contact with the first element, for applying heat to the first element;
• a second element within the enclosure, consisting essentially of a resonator for producing a signal of a frequency related to the output frequency of the resonator oscillator;
• means for sensing the temperature of the first element;
• and
• means, responsive to the means for sensing, for controlling the heating element.

A resonator oscillator for producing an output signal having an output frequency, comprising:

• a resonator enclosure;
• a first element within the enclosure;
• a heating element in substantially direct thermal contact with the first element, for applying heat to the first element;
• a second element consisting essentially of a resonator within the enclosure for producing a signal of a frequency related to the output frequency of the resonator oscillator;
• a heat-sensing device, separated from the first element by a substantial thermal resistance, for indirectly sensing the temperature of the element;
• and
• a heater control circuit receiving the sensed temperature, for generating a heater control signal for determining the manner in which heat is applied to the first element by the heating element.

A resonator oscillator for producing an output signal having an output frequency, comprising:

• a resonator enclosure;
• a first resonator within the enclosure, functioning in first and second modes;
• a heating element in substantially direct thermal contact with the first resonator, for applying heat to the first resonator;
• a second resonator within the enclosure for producing a signal of a frequency related to the output frequency of the resonator oscillator;
• a temperature feedback control circuit, responsive to the first and second modes of the first resonator, producing a temperature feedback signal;
• and
• a heater controller, responsive to the temperature feedback signal, for determining the manner in which heat is applied to the first resonator by the heating element.

A resonator oscillator, comprising:

• a first resonator operating in first and second modes;
• a heating element in substantially direct thermal contact with the first resonator, for applying heat to the first resonator;
• a heater control circuit, responsive to the first and second modes of the first resonator, for generating a heater control signal for determining the manner in which heat is applied to the first resonator by the heating element;
• and
• a second resonator, comprising a portion of an output oscillator which is phase-locked to the first mode of the first resonator, the second resonator providing a signal at an output frequency which is not substantially affected by the second mode of the first resonator.

A resonator oscillator, comprising:

• a resonator enclosure;
• a resonator disposed within the resonator enclosure;
• an insulative support structure disposed between the resonator and the resonator enclosure and providing thermal resistance between the resonator and the resonator enclosure;
• at least one resonator mounting structure extending between the resonator and the insulative support structure;
• and
• at least one mounting element extending between the insulative support structure and the enclosure.

A method of controlling the temperature of a resonator in a resonator oscillator, the resonator functioning in first and second modes, comprising the steps of:

• sensing the temperature of a resonator enclosure;
• feeding back the sensed temperature to a heater control circuit;
• providing a heater control signal to a heater which is disposed in substantially direct thermal contact with the resonator, to bring the resonator to within a first range about a desired temperature;
• sensing the temperature of the resonator by comparing the first and second modes;
• and
• continuing to provide heat to the heater based on the temperature sensed by comparison of the first and second modes, to maintain the resonator within a given second range about the desired temperature.