Design of the STIFT Time and Frequency Transfer Microwave Ground Terminal

Abstract

The Satellite Time and Frequency Transfer System (STIFT) is intended to provide, simultaneously, global time comparisons at the subnanosecond level and frequency comparisons to better than 1 part in 10(14). It utilizes an orbiting hydrogen maser clock and frequency standard that communicates, via microwave links, time and frequency information to earth terminals operated by hydrogen masers controlling local clocks. A two-way microwave link, to and from the space vehicle provides Doppler information used to cancel the Doppler shifts in a one-way link from the spaceborne oscillator. Pseudo-random noise (PRN) modulation in the two-way link also provides range information to cancel the range delay in the PRN time transfer between space and earth.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1982
Accession Number
ADA497674

Entities

People

  • E. Imbier
  • H. Penfield
  • R. F. Vessot

Organizations

  • Harvard College Observatory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Accuracy
  • Atomic Beam Masers
  • Clocks
  • Doppler Effect
  • Elements
  • Feedback
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Standards
  • Hydrogen
  • Masers
  • Measurement
  • Microwaves
  • Sequences
  • Spacecraft
  • Standards
  • Terminals

Readers

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

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites