Stabilized Fiber Optic Frequency Distribution System

Abstract

A technique for stabilizing reference frequencies transmitted over fiber optic cable in a frequency distribution system is discussed. The distribution system utilizes fiber optic cable as the transmission medium to distribute precise reference signals from a frequency standard to remote users. The stability goal of the distribution system is to transmit a 100 MHz signal over a 22 km fiber optic cable and maintain a stability of 1 part in 1017 for 1000 seconds averaging times. Active stabilization of the link is required to reduce phase variations produced by environmental effects, and is achieved by transmitting the reference signal from the frequency standard to the remote unit and then reflecting back to the reference unit over the same optical fiber. By comparing the phase of the transmitted and reflected signals at the reference unit, phase variations on the remote signal can be measured. An error voltage derived from the phase difference between the two signals is used to add correction phase. An improved version of a previous electronic stabilizer has been built and results of its performance are reported.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA494838

Entities

People

  • George F. Lutes
  • Lori E. Primas
  • Richard L. Sydnor

Organizations

  • California Institute of Technology

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Atomic Beam Masers
  • Cables
  • California
  • Climate Change
  • Coaxial Cables
  • Cross Modulation
  • Detectors
  • Fibers
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Standards
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Optoisolators
  • Phase Detectors
  • Radio Frequency
  • Standards
  • Time Intervals
  • Transmitters

Fields of Study

  • Engineering
  • Physics

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electromagnetic Wave Scattering and Antenna Radiation Engineering
  • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Technology.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems