Possible Applications of Atomic Frequency Standards with an Internal High Resolution Digital Synthesizer
Abstract
This paper reviews the applications of Atomic Frequency Standards with an internal synthesizer (thereafter referred as "Synthesized Frequency Standards or Oscillators") with a special emphasis on the Rb oscillator. A fractional frequency synthesizer, developed by SEPA, has been incorporated in the Frequency Locked Loop of a TFL Rubidium Frequency Standard. This combination allows a frequency settability in steps of 1.5.10-'~ (optional 1.10-'9 over a range of without having to resort to change the C-field to tune the output frequency of the device. This capability, coupled to the excellent short term stability of the Rb frequency standard, opens new possibilities for time and frequency users in the various fields (time metrology, navigation, communication, etc.) in which stable frequency standards find their application. uses. Fine frequency and time offsets, the latter with a resolution as small as a few picoseconds, can be generated with the synthesized standard, allowing remote clocks to be precisely set at the same frequency and time, or with controlled offsets in time (and eventually in frequency) to provide a "coordinated" time network. This is important in communications networks, where clocks at the nodes must be kept not only syntonized but synchronized with offsets which account for the relative propagation delays within the same nodes in the network.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA502228
Entities
People
- A. Stern
- E. Detoma