Improved Method for Long-Term Frequency Stability Measurement Using Vector Voltmeter

Abstract

This paper proposes a novel approach for the improvement of the long-term frequency stability measurement using an obsolete phase meter. The hypothesis of the paper states it is possible to fully automate measurement process and reduce measurement time using the standard method supported by bespoke PC software. This theory was examined in detail and experimentally validated using GPS standard method. The results of the experiment confirmed that measurement time can be reduced more than 50 %, at the expense of a measurement uncertainty increase. Still, the estimated measurement uncertainty of the proposed method is more than satisfactory for the calibration purpose of the most common oscillator types including rubidium frequency standards.

Keywords

• automation
• frequency
• long-term stability
• phase angle
• vector voltmeter