Instability measurement in time-frequency references used on autonomous navigation systems

Abstract

In all the real-time control systems used on autonomous navigation systems (ANS), a computing system is used. In such, the proper functioning depends of the correct operation of a reference oscillator. Unfortunatelly, the stability of frequency standards is barely explored in ANS, and due the importance it has, more attention is needed. In this work, a new method for measuring frequency-time reference in autonomous navigation systems is proposed. Basics about instability sources is briefly reviewed, and a new frequency suited for measurement technique for ANS is explained; also a brief review of frequency measurement techniques is presented. Analysis of measurements in frequency standard values is carried on, and measurement error is introduced.