A GPS Disciplined Rubidium Clock

Abstract

Sub-microsecond timing accuracy for event tagging and multi-site synchronization is possible using the Global Positioning System. In order to maintain a high degree of accuracy during periods when no satellites are visible, a highly stable local time base is required. For those cases which require Cesium oscillator stability, initial cost and continuing maintenance of the Cesium oscillator must be considered. A viable alternative is to use the Global Positioning System and an oscillator disciplining process. With this system, near Cesium, performance can be achieved using a more rugged lower cost Rubidium oscillator. Additionally, when 24 hour satellite coverage becomes available, system performance may surpass that of a Cesium in long term stability.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA521213

Entities

People

  • Wayne Dewey

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Acquisition
  • Algorithms
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Clocks
  • Control Systems
  • Data Acquisition
  • Errors
  • Frequency
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Loran
  • Numbers
  • Oscillators
  • Rubidium
  • Specifications
  • Square Roots
  • Time Intervals

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Technology.

Technology Areas

  • Space