Precise Time and Astrometry
Abstract
The Precise Timing and Astrometry (PTA) project funds research and development of improvements for the U.S. Master Clock (MC) System, the DoD Time Transfer capability, the Earth Orientation System, and the Astrometric Observation System. The MC System and Time Transfer provides precise time for use in modern military and National Technical Means (NTM) navigation, guidance, positioning, and tracking systems. The Earth Orientation System provides precise Earth Orientation Parameters for use by the DoD and the national civilian infrastructure to establish the specific orientation of the Earth and to provide input to the terrestrial reference frame. The Astrometric Observation System provides the basic data needed to generate the Celestial Reference Frame (CRF) which is the standard for calibrating all inertial navigation systems, satellite orbits, and earth rotation determinations. Improvement to the MC System, Time Transfer, Earth Orientation, and Astrometric Observation Systems are needed to ensure that new and upgraded DoD and NTM capabilities meet their performance requirements. By DoD Directive 4650.06 and OPNAV9420.1B, the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO), is responsible for coordinating Precise Time and Time Interval (PTTI) requirements and for maintaining a PTTI reference standard (astronomical and atomic) for use by all DoD, federal agencies, and related scientific laboratories. The Navy is also responsible for providing CRF data for military and NTM navigation, positioning, and guidance capabilities to all DoD via DODI 4650.06 and OPNAV9420.1B. The PTA research and development efforts are focused on several areas relating to timing and time transfer: (1) Fielding of Rubidium Fountain Atomic Clocks and development of improved Global Positioning System (GPS) Timing Receivers in order to meet the precise timing requirements for the GPS III system; (2) Research & development of the capability of distributing timing signals via Optical fiber lines, as an alternative and backup to GPS time distribution; and (3) Research & development into Optical Clock technology, which is expected to be required for future DoD systems. The PTA research and development effort is also focused on the following areas related to Earth Orientation Parameter (EOP) determination: (1) Upgrade of the Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VBLI) data acquisition system / radio telescope at Kokee Park HI; (2) Development of a Software (SW) Correlator for processing of VLBI data, necessary for the generation of Earth Orientation Parameter (EOP) data; (3) Development of the capability for electronic transmission of the VLBI data from remote VLBI sites to the USNO correlator. The new SW Correlator and the eVLBI infrastructure upgrades are necessary in order to support daily updates of EOP data required by GPS III; (4) Development of an automated end-to-end EOP processing system, which combines input from multiple data sets (e.g. VLBI data, GPS orbit data, and laser ranging data, etc.). Automation is necessary to meet future DoD and GPS requirements; and (5) Modifications to the EOP system for compatibility with the new international standard -'VLBI2010'. The PTA research and development for astrometry focuses on 1) 1.8 meter telescope deployment, 2) research into the development of a GPS-denied reference frame as a navigation solution, 3) visible and infrared (IR) instrumentation development. These activities are necessary for producing CRF products for DoD customers in an era of new surveillance, targeting, intelligence, and reconnaissance technologies and instrumentation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2020
- Source ID
- 2344_0603207N_4_1319_PB_2020
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