Accession Number:

ADA516090

Title:

Operating and Environmental Characteristics of Sigma Tau Hydrogen Masers Used in the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA)

Descriptive Note:

Conference paper

Corporate Author:

CALIFORNIA INST OF TECHNOLOGY PASADENA JET PROPULSION LAB

Personal Author(s):

• Tucker, T. K.

Report Date:

1988-12-01

Pagination or Media Count:

13.0

Abstract:

This paper presents the results obtained from performance evaluation of a pair of Sigma Tau Standards Corporation, Model VLBA-112, active hydrogen maser frequency standards. These masers were manufactured for the National Radio Astronomy Observatory NRAO, for use on the Very Long Baseline Array VLBA project, and were furnished to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory JPL for the purpose of these tests. Tests on the two masers were performed in the JPL Frequency Standards Laboratory FSL, and included the characterization of output frequency stability versus environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, magnetic field and barometric pressure. The performance tests also included the determination of phase noise and Allan Variance using both FSL and Sigma Tau masers as references. All tests were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions, with only the desired environmental and operational parameters varied to determine sensitivity to external environment.

Descriptors:

• *MASERS
• *FREQUENCY STANDARDS
• PERFORMANCE(ENGINEERING)
• ARRAYS
• VARIATIONS
• BAROMETRIC PRESSURE
• HUMIDITY
• STABILITY
• MAGNETIC FIELDS
• SENSITIVITY

Subject Categories:

• Lasers and Masers
• Test Facilities, Equipment and Methods

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE