A High Performance Frequency Standard and Distribution System for Cassini Ka-Band Experiment

R. T. Wang, M. D. Calhoun, A. Kirk, W. A. Diener, G. J. Dick, R. L. Tjoelker

Abstract:	This paper provides an overview and update of a specialized frequency reference system for the NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) to support Ka-band radio science experiments with the Cassini spacecraft, currently orbiting Saturn. Three major components, a Hydrogen Maser, Stabilized Fiber-Optic Distribution Assembly (SFODA), and 10 Kelvin Cryocooled Sapphire Oscillator (10K CSO) and frequency-lock-loop, are integrated to achieve the very high performance, ground based frequency reference at a remote antenna site located 16 km from the hydrogen maser. Typical measured Allan Deviation is 1.6x10-14 at 1 second and 1.7x10-15 at 1000 seconds averaging intervals. Recently two 10K CSOs have been compared in situ while operating at the remote DSN site DSS-25. The CSO references were used operationally to downconvert the Ka band downlink received from the Cassini spacecraft in a series of occultation measurements performed over a 78 day period from March to June 2005.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 37th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting August 29 - 31, 2005 Vancouver, Canada
Pages:	919 - 924
Cite this article:	Wang, R. T., Calhoun, M. D., Kirk, A., Diener, W. A., Dick, G. J., Tjoelker, R. L., "A High Performance Frequency Standard and Distribution System for Cassini Ka-Band Experiment," Proceedings of the 37th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting, Vancouver, Canada, August 2005, pp. 919-924.
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