Portable Clock Analyses

F. Neville

Abstract: The portable clock remains the most frequently used means of time dissemination and of calibration of precise clocks to the U.S. Naval Observatory Master Clock (USNO MC). Because of this, portable clock trips and the factors that influence the confidence placed in the measurements obtained must be understood. In this paper, the general philosophy of trips and some of the error factors that can occur are discussed, The stability of individual USNO portable clocks is determined by analysis of pre- and post-trip measurements obtained through the USNO data Acquisition and Control System. Using these data, this paper explores their historical accuracy and determines error budgets. The feasibility of determining a statistical "reliability factor" based on the pre and post-trip readings of an individual clock is also examined. From these studies the dependability and reliability of portable clock trips as a whole, may be concluded.
Published in: Proceedings of the 14th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting
November 30 - 3, 1982
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
Pages: 483 - 486
Cite this article: Neville, F., "Portable Clock Analyses," Proceedings of the 14th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting, Greenbelt, Maryland, November 1982, pp. 483-486.
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