GPS time and frequency transfer is a method of enabling multiple sites share a precise reference time. GPS time and frequency transfer solves problems such as astronomical observatories correlating observed flashes or other phenomena with each other.
Multiple techniques have been developed, often transferring reference clock synchronization from one point to another, often over long distances. Accuracy approaching one nanosecond worldwide is economically practical for many applications. Radio-based navigation systems are frequently used as time and frequency transfer systems. In some cases, multiple measurements are made over a period of time, and exact time synchronization is determined retrospectively.
1. One Way
2. Common View
3. All In View
4. Carrier Phase
One Way
The one way GPS technique uses the signals obtained from a GPS receiver as the reference for a calibration. The GPS signals are used in real time to synchronize the local clock and GPS or UTC time. The purpose of the measurement is usually either to synchronize an on-time pulse, or to calibrate a frequency source. Before a receiver is used for measurements, it must complete its signal acquisition process. Part of the acquisition process is the antenna position survey. Unlike GPS navigation receivers (SAT NAVs), which compute position fixes while moving (often at a rate faster than one position fix per second), GPS time and frequency receivers normally do not move and therefore do not need to compute position fixes once the survey is completed. Therefore, time and frequency receivers generally store a single position fix, and use that same position from then on. Many receivers automatically start a survey when they are turned on.
Once the signal acquisition is completed, an output signal from the receiver is connected to a measurement system. For time synchronization measurements, a 1 PPS signal from the receiver is generally used as an input to a time interval counter. For frequency measurements, a 10MHz frequency output from a GPSDO is used as an input to a phase comparator, or used as the external time base for test equipment such as frequency counters and signal generators.
Since the GPS satellites transmit signals that are steered to UTC, the long-term accuracy of a GPS receiver has always been excellent.
The time pulse accuracy (1PPS) is affected by delay in the antenna cable. This is about 4ns/m and can be allowed for by offsetting the 1PPS output. There is also a constellation dependant error between UTC and GPS time of up to ±15ns. A time receiver will typically have an accuracy of ±15ns (1sigma) to GPS time. A final accuracy of about ± 30ns to UTC can be achieved.
Common View
The common view method is a simple but elegant way to compare two clocks or oscillators located in different places. Unlike one-way measurements that compare a clock or oscillator to GPS, a common-view measurement compares two clocks or oscillators to each other.
The GPS satellite (S) serves as a single reference transmitter. The two clocks or oscillators being compared and are measured against two GPS receivers. The satellite is in common view of both receivers, and both simultaneously receive its signals. Each receiver compares the received signal to its local clock and records the data. The two receivers then exchange the data.
Common view directly compares two time and frequency standards. Errors from the two paths, that are common to the reference, cancel out, including the performance of the satellite clock. The advantage of this technique is that it minimizes certain errors that might be present. The satellite clock errors are completely eliminated since they are common in both receivers. Ephemerides errors in the transmitted data and affecting to the computation of the paths are minimized.
However, the main disadvantaged with respect to the one-way mode is that data between the receivers must be exchanged. Common view requires a GPS receiver that can read a tracking schedule. This schedule tells the receiver when to start making measurements and which satellite to track. A receiver at another location makes measurements from the same satellite at the same time. The data collected at both sites are then exchanged and compared.
All in View
The All in view mode, can be used to synchronize clocks over widely separated distances. Unlike the Common view mode, the all in view mode does not require simultaneous observations by both stations; it only requires that each station observe as many satellites as possible during the day that its receiver can track.
The individual GPS time versus the local standard’s time comparisons are put together over a period of time. The linear fit solution of these points is considered the offset of the GPS time from the local standard’s time. Subtracting one local standard’s offset time from the other yields the time difference between the two locations. This method is more robust than the Common View Mode, because it observes significantly more satellites during the day. Therefore, it is more suitable for unattended synchronization systems because the offset values are more stable and the system is more robust to occasional data gaps since the offset is computed from several measurements.
The disadvantage is that post processing is required, and the time difference is not available in real time. Carrier Phase This technique uses both the L1 and L2 carrier frequencies instead of the codes transmitted by the satellites. It is important to note that carrier phase measurements can be one way measurements made in real time or post processed common view measurements.
The phase difference between the satellite oscillator and the receiver’s local oscillator is calculated. However, the phase observable is an ambiguous observable, the phase is measured modulo 2π and only the fractional phase can be measured, whereas the pseudo range is an absolute observable. The absolute offset between the remote clocks is then only determined by the code information, while the carrier phases give a precise signal evolution. The use of the pseudo range information together with the carrier phase information increases the accuracy up to a factor 1000.
Since the carrier phase GPS technique requires geodetic GPS receivers as well as making corrections of the collected data using orbital, ionosphere and troposphere models and extensive post-processing, it is not practical to use for everyday measurements. However, the technique is used for experimental purposes and for international comparisons between primary frequency standards when the goal is to reduce the measurement uncertainty as much as possible.
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