Automated Delay Measurement System for an Earth Station for Two-Way Satellite Time and Frequency Transfer

Gerrit de Jong, Michel C. Polderman

Abstract:	The measurement of the difference of the transmit and receive delays of the signals in a Two-Way Satellite Time and Frequency Transfer (TWSTFT) earth station is crucial for its nanosecond time transfer capability. Also, the monitoring of the change of this delay difference with time, temperature, humidity, or barometric pressure is important for improving the TWSTFT capabilities. An automated system for this purpose has been developed from the initial design at NMi-VSL. It calibrates separately the transmit and receive delays in cables, amplifiers, upconverters, and downconverters, and antenna feeds. the obtained results can be applied as corrections to the TWSTFT measurement, when, before and after a measurement session, a calibration session is performed. Preliminary results obtained at NMi-VSL will be shown. Also, if available, the results of a manual version of the system that is planned to be circulated in September 1994 together with a USNO portable station on a calibration trip to European TWSTFT earth stations.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 26th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting December 6 - 8, 1994 Hyatt Regency Reston Town Center Reston, Virginia
Pages:	305 - 332
Cite this article:	de Jong, Gerrit, Polderman, Michel C., "Automated Delay Measurement System for an Earth Station for Two-Way Satellite Time and Frequency Transfer," Proceedings of the 26th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting, Reston, Virginia, December 1994, pp. 305-332.
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