OVERVIEW

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is offering a comprehensive 4-day course on understanding the characteristics of clocks and oscillators, making precise time and frequency measurements, and synchronizing precision time systems.

This seminar will introduce new lectures in all-digital PM noise measurements, GPS, GPS policy, and GPS upgrades, photonic oscillators, chip-scale atomic clocks, femtosecond laser dividers, active PM-noise reduction techniques in oscillators, millimeter-wave applications and noise measurements, and ultra-low noise amplifier design techniques (balanced arrays, feed-forward noise suppression, and Si Ge with feedback).

The seminar's topics are:

Basic Definitions of Terms

• Frequency, Time, Phase, Accuracy, Stability, Noise, Jitter, Standards, Calibration, Traceability, Certification, Quality Assurance
• Time and Frequency Fundamentals

Measurement Methods and Analysis of Oscillators, Synchronization Systems, and Phase-locked Loops

• Digital Signal Processing Techniques
• Frequency-Domain Performance: PM and AM Noise Measurements of Oscillators and Amplifiers
• Time-Domain Performance: Allan Variances, Total Estimators, and other Time and Frequency Variances
• Characterizing Clock Jitter

How to Collect, Analyze, and Interpret Real Data

• Measurement Techniques and Analysis Examples
• How to Use Stability Analysis Software (included in fee)

What You Need to Know about Oscillators and Frequency Standards

• Vibration, Acceleration, and other Environmental Sensitivities
• Quartz Crystal Resonators and Oscillators
• Atomic Standards: Rubidium and Cesium
• Comparing Laboratory and Commercial Frequency Standards

Testing Oscillators and Frequency Standards

• Measurements and Instrumentation
• Digital and Analog Approaches
• Demonstrations of Lab Measurements
  • Time Stability
  • Frequency Stability
  • Phase Noise and Spectral Purity
  • Jitter Analysis

Using the Global Positioning System (GPS) as a Transfer Standard

• GPS Time: What is it, How is it used, What is Typical Accuracy and Precision
• Time and Frequency Transfer Using Common-view GPS for Highest Accuracy
• Carrier-phase Common-view Time Transfer Using GPS for Highest Precision
• Limitations of GPS Synchronization

Special Time and Frequency Applications

• Two-way Satellite Time and Frequency Transfer
• Synchronization in Telecommunications Systems, Internet Time Service, Network Time Protocols
• Emerging Frequency, Time, and Synchronization Techniques on-chip (Chip-Scale) Cesium Standard
• Optical Standards, Laser Cooling, and Optical Frequency Division
• Future Applications and User Requirements

Other topics will include introductory and advanced frequency synthesis techniques, uncertainty analysis, applications in wireless cellular phones and broadband telecommunications, and aspects of legal metrology, traceability, ISO compliance, and laboratory accreditation.

This seminar is a must for planners, managers, scientists, engineers, laboratory technicians, and educators involved in the use of time and frequency systems. It presents techniques related to the analysis and evaluation of oscillators and frequency standards. It is particularly appropriate for those who are or might be responsible for certification of oscillator performance at levels where traceability to national standards is a useful part of this certification.

To see a sample of the types of time and frequency questions that are answered at the seminar, go to our Example Seminar Questions page.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What will I receive at the seminar? You will receive a concentrated, 4-day course, lecture notes and reprints, a CD and a USB key containing lecture presentations, lab demonstrations, metrology certificate of completion, the latest version of STABLE for Windows (software for frequency stability analysis), tour of NIST’s primary standards and research activities, an evening reception, continental breakfasts, three lunches, refreshments, and a seminar gift.

How much experience do I need to benefit from this course? This seminar begins with the basics and proceeds to advanced topics by the end of the week. Therefore, attendees of all levels of experience are welcome.

Is this a “hands-on” course? Yes. The seminar includes a full afternoon of lab demonstrations at NIST. A morning is devoted to analyzing a wide range of frequency and time stability data using STABLE for Windows, which is provided for you. Interactive sessions throughout the seminar allow you to ask questions to our expert lecturers.

TECHNICAL CHAIR

David Howe can be reached by email: metrology@boulder.nist.gov  or by phone: 303-497-3277

If you would like to receive information on the seminar, please e-mail tfseminar@boulder.nist.gov and type SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

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