Observations on the Reliability of Rubidium Frequency Standards on Block II/IIA GPS Satellites

Gary L. Dieter, Gregory E. Hatten

Abstract:	Currently, the Block Il/lIA Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites are equipped with two rubidium frequency standards. These frequency standards were originally intended to serve as the back-ups to two cesium frequency standards. As the constellation ages, the Master Control Station is forced to initialize an increasing number of rubidium frequency standards. Unfortunately, the operational use of these frequency standards has not lived up to initial expectations. Although the performance of these rubidium frequency standards has met and even exceeded GPS requirements, their reliability has not. The number of unscheduled outage times and the short operational Iifetimes of the rubidium frequency standards compare poorly to the track record of the cesium frequency standards. Only a small number of rubidium frequency standards have actually been made operational. Of these, a large percentage have exhibited poor reliability. If this trend continues, it is unlikely that the rubidium frequency standards will help contribute to the navigation payload meting program specification.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 27th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting November 29 - 1, 1995 The Doubletree Hotel at Horton Plaza San Diego, California
Pages:	125 - 134
Cite this article:	Dieter, Gary L., Hatten, Gregory E., "Observations on the Reliability of Rubidium Frequency Standards on Block II/IIA GPS Satellites," Proceedings of the 27th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting, San Diego, California, November 1995, pp. 125-134.
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