Performance of Low-Cost Commercial Fiber-Optic Transceivers for Reference Frequency Distribution

Abstract

Precision time and frequency reference signals have been effectively disseminated using high-quality intricate fiber-optic distribution systems. The quality of signals distributed by such systems is excellent, but the cost of these systems makes them unavailable to many potential users. In this paper, a study of signal quality maintained using inexpensive commercial transmitter/receiver pairs is undertaken. Seven different transmitter/receiver pairs obtained from four different manufacturers have been thoroughly tested using a 5 MHz sinusoid derived from a precision, temperature- controlled, crystal-controlled oscillator. The electrical signal output from each fiber-optic receiver was tested for spectral purity, single--sideband phase noise, and AM noise, and the results are tabulated and discussed without identification of the manufacturer or the equipment model number.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1992
Accession Number
ADA494707

Entities

People

  • Joseph J. Suter
  • Richard Dragonette

Organizations

  • Johns Hopkins University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amplitude Modulation
  • Cables
  • Carrier Frequencies
  • Fiber Optics
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Bands
  • Frequency Standards
  • Light Sources
  • Local Oscillators
  • Optical Fibers
  • Oscillators
  • Physics Laboratories
  • Sidebands
  • Standards
  • Test Equipment
  • Transceivers
  • Transmitters

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design