NTS-1 (TIMATION III) Quartz- and Rubidium-Oscillator Frequency-Stability Results,

Abstract

The report describes frequency stability results obtained from the NTS-1 satellite. NTS-1 has three on-board frequency sources: one quartz oscillator and two rubidium resonators. These are used to derive the precise time and frequency signals radiated by the spacecraft. The data taken from each of three 2.5-hr daily passes are time difference (range) or frequency difference (doppler). These data are incorporated into a single value for each pass which is subsequently used in computing long-time Allan-variance results. The results presented here employ single-frequency measurements at 335 MHz. Analysis of these results indicate an effect on measured frequency stability that correlates with a resonant term in the orbit. The results further indicate the rubidium frequency depends on the spacecraft temperature, which confirms previous NRL preflight analysis.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 12, 1975
Accession Number
ADA019156

Entities

People

  • James A. Buisson
  • Thomas B. Mccaskill

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Frequency
  • Measurement
  • Oscillators
  • Resonators
  • Rubidium
  • Satellite Buses
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Components
  • Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Technology.

Technology Areas

  • Space