# Recommendations for external clock

**URL:** <https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/recommendations-for-external-clock/7611>\
**Category:** LimeSDR\
**Created:** [22 April 2022 10:33 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/recommendations-for-external-clock/7611 "2022-04-22T10:33:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![pago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ab992/32.png) [@pago](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/pago)\
**Post date:** [22 April 2022 10:33 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/recommendations-for-external-clock/7611/1 "2022-04-22T10:33:45Z")

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Hi all,

I am trying to improve performance of limesdr mini and limesdr usb to perform measurements as accurate as possible, and maybe a external clock source could be a good point to start with.

I am currently using them to receive at 1.5 GHz at their maximum sampling rates. Maybe in the future I will use them to transmit as well, but I guess it should not make a difference for this topic?

Do you have any recommendations on a external clock that is suitable for both families, mini and usb?

Besides changing the position of the 0-ohm resistor in the limesdr mini to use the external clock, should I consider anything else (for both families)?

Thank you!!

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**Author:** ![andrewback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@andrewback](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/andrewback)\
**Post date:** [25 April 2022 08:05 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/recommendations-for-external-clock/7611/2 "2022-04-25T08:05:51Z")

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> [@pago](#):
>
> Besides changing the position of the 0-ohm resistor in the limesdr mini to use the external clock, should I consider anything else (for both families)?

You will have better performance with LimeSDR-USB, since this has an additional phase detector, which the Mini lacks due to space and being cost optimised.

[https://wiki.myriadrf.org/LimeSDR-USB\_hardware\_description#Clock\_distribution](https://wiki.myriadrf.org/LimeSDR-USB_hardware_description#Clock_distribution)

People have reported that the Leo Bodnar GPS references work well, e.g.:

> **[Mini Precision GPS Reference Clock : Leo Bodnar Electronics](http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=107&products_id=301)**
>
> Leo Bodnar Electronics Mini Precision GPS Reference Clock - Low jitter GPS-locked precision frequency reference 400 Hz to 810 MHz output mini version We recommend a newer version of this product: LBE-1420 GPS locked clock source This device outputs...

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**Author:** ![pago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ab992/32.png) [@pago](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/pago)\
**Post date:** [25 April 2022 13:51 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/recommendations-for-external-clock/7611/3 "2022-04-25T13:51:12Z")

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@andrewback Thank you for your reply! 🙂

I’ll try to get one of them 🙂