Characterization of the Clock in a New Inexpensive GPS Receiver: The Magnavox MX 4200

Abstract

A new generation of inexpensive GPS receivers is emerging, which utilize temperature compensated crystal oscillators (TCXO) as clocks. The MX 4200 has been chosen as a representative sample of this emerging technology receiver. A detailed discussion on the receiver architecture and its implications in the measurement process is given. Experiments on the sensitivity of its clock to environmental effects, as well as the duration of the transient regime are described. One limitation to the use of these receivers in geodetic applications is the stability of its clock. The noise in the receiver clock has been characterized by the Allan variance for sampling intervals up to 4000 seconds. The implication of the noise levels for short time intervals on the applicability of the receiver to high precision work is examined.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA246165

Entities

People

  • Manuel Pardo

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Climate Change
  • Clocks
  • Computational Science
  • Crystal Oscillators
  • Dead Reckoning
  • Emerging Technology
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Measurement
  • Navigation
  • Oscillators
  • Spacecraft
  • Surveys
  • Time Intervals
  • Two Dimensional
  • World Geodetic System

Readers

  • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Technology.
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.

Technology Areas

  • Space