High Accuracy Omega Timekeeping

Abstract

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) operates a worldwide satellite tracking network which uses a combination of OMEGA as a frequency reference, dual timing channels, and portable clock comparisons to maintain accurate epoch time. Propagational charts from the U.S. Coast Guard OMEGA monitor program minimize diurnal and seasonal effects. Daily phase value publications of the U.S. Naval Observatory provide corrections to the field collected timing data to produce an averaged time line comprised of straight line segments called a time history file (station clock minus UTC). Depending upon clock location, reduced time data accuracies of between two and eight microseconds are typical.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1981
Accession Number
ADA497540

Entities

People

  • Edward A. Imbier

Organizations

  • Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Accuracy
  • Clocks
  • Coast Guard
  • Frequency
  • Information Operations
  • Intervals
  • Observatories
  • Security
  • Time Intervals
  • Uninterruptible Power Supplies

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science
  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Technology.

Technology Areas

  • Space