Sources of instabilities in two-way satellite time transfer

Abstract

Two-way satellite time and frequency transfer (TWSTFT) has become an important component in the international system for comparing time and frequency over long distances. In order to make further improvements in the stability of TWSTFT a more complete understanding of the sources of instabilities is required. This paper analyzes several sources of instabilities, including environmental factors, ionospheric delay, satellite motion and the satellite transponder