The time delay of a solar grazing photon

Moving clocks and clocks in a gravitational field slow down, not due to the effects of special relativity nor to the space-time curvature of general relativity, but due only to the principle of equivalence and the conservation of energy. However, some might argue that there has been a further “test” of the effect of gravity on time, namely, the measurement of the time-delay of a round-trip, solar-grazing radar beacon performed by Shapiro in the 1960s. In this test, Shapiro bounced a radar pulse off Mars at superior conjunction (a feat in itself for the time), and compared the measured round-trip travel time of this pulse with the expected round-trip time of a signal traveling at c for the entire trip, as determined from highly accurate planetary ephemerides. Shapiro had predicted this time-delay long before being technologically able to make such a measurement. While general relativity can be used to correctly obtain the magnitude of this delay, it is not the only explanation. As earlier with the analysis of clocks in motion and of clocks in a gravitational field, this paper derives the same result without invoking the space-time curvature of general relativity     

Galileo卫星星钟故障前后信号质量分析

星载原子钟是卫星导航系统的核心器件,是影响导航信号质量的重要因素。2016年11月,Galileo系统利用一箭四星发射升空4颗新一代Galileo卫星。根据观测显示,截至2017年7月,仅能接收到其中1颗卫星发射的导航信号。在2017年1月,欧洲航天局通告称多颗卫星原子钟大规模故障。针对此,40m 大口径高增益天线系统设备对不同批次和星钟故障情况的3颗Galileo卫星E5频点信号进行了数据采集处理,对各信号分量的功率谱、星座图、码片波形、相关损失、相关峰、S曲线偏差等信号质量指标进行了分析评估。结果表明,此次星载原子钟的大面积故障并未影响Galileo卫星信号的可用性,足够的星载备份钟避免了信号质量的严重恶化。     

Multiplexing Asynchronous Signals Using Bit Stuffing and Retiming Techniques

This paper discusses the problem of multiplexing asynchronous signals which are clocked from independent sources. Two solutions are offered to this problem: one provides a continuous transmission over a fixed period of time proportional to the bit rate integrity duration, and the other utilizes a bit stuffing technique. The former approach is used when the asynchronous signals are clocked from highly stable clocks, and also when the bit rate integrity period is on the order of a few hours. The latter approach is employed when the signal clocks are relatively less stable or the bit rate integrity period is very long. The reliability of these techniques is analyzed, and their efficiencies are evaluated and found to be most satisfactory. Synchronization procedures and probabilities of false lock and failure to lock are also described. In addition, a multiplex system illustrating these techniques is presented. The system multiplexes four input channels at a one megabit rate for each.     

面向导航增强的低轨卫星钟差确定及预报方法研究

低轨导航增强是未来导航发展的重要趋势,而高精度低轨卫星钟差是实现低轨导航增强的必要条件。基于Sentinel-6A卫星,对低轨卫星钟差特性进行了分析,给出了钟差确定方法及影响因素,介绍了顾及钟差特性的低轨卫星钟差预报方法。实验表明,低轨卫星钟差含有多个周期项,给低轨卫星建模和预报带来了困难。与使用运动学定轨模型相比,基于简化动力学的定轨模型可显著提升低轨卫星钟差精度;当基于运动学模型确定低轨卫星钟差时,相较于使用GPS单系统数据,多GNSS观测数据可提升低轨卫星钟差精度。研究表明,基于GPS和Galileo观测的Sentinel-6A卫星钟差精度相较于GPS单系统钟差精度改善了36%,同时,所使用的GNSS产品精度与低轨卫星钟差精度密切相关。利用顾及卫星钟差特性的低轨卫星钟差预报方法,当预报时长小于1 min,低轨卫星钟差预报精度（预报与解算值之差的RMSE）在0.1 ns之内,当预报时长小于5 min,预报精度在0.3 ns之内,随着预报时长的增长,预报精度显著下降。     

不同GNSS星载原子钟周期特性分析

高精度的卫星时钟修正是全球卫星导航系统实时精密单点定位和授时服务的重要基础。为了提高GNSS钟差预报精度,需要对GNSS星载原子钟的周期特性进行分析。基于2016年全年的GNSS精密卫星钟差数据,利用中位数方法进行了数据预处理,使用多项式拟合模型分析了卫星钟的拟合残差,利用频谱分析法分析了BDS、GPS卫星钟差的周期特性,全面分析了BDS、GPS星载原子钟的周期特性。分析结果表明：除Cs钟外,其他卫星钟差都表现出较好的周期特性,BDS、GPS的主周期项基本在12h、24h、6h附近;同时不同的轨道、原子钟,其钟差周期项不同,而相同的轨道类型,其钟差周期项也存在一定差异;卫星的钟差主周期分别近似为其卫星轨道周期的1/2倍、1倍、2倍。     

Characterization of NAVSTAR GPS and GLONASS on-board clocks

Investigation into navigation satellite on board clock frequency references and performance are reported. The focus is on the stability of the clocks aboard the NAVSTAR GPS (Global Positioning System) and GLONASS satellites as well as those used by their respective maser control stations and associated time scales. Allan-variance techniques have been applied to determine the long-term time-domain behavior of satellite clocks in an attempt to identify different regions of power spectral density. Coupled with analysis of relative-frequency drift over a period of many weeks, this behavior allows the type of satellite onboard standard to be tentatively identified. The known nature of the GPS clocks has shown that the different types of clocks aboard the satellites (crystal, rubidium, and cesium) are distinguishable given a sufficient sample time. The same approach has been applied to the GLONASS satellites, and a comparison of the results obtained from GPS has allowed conjecture on the type of clock used by the GLONASS satellites. It appears that GLONASS has used clocks of the quality of rubidium atomic oscillators since at least 1986, and that the quality and performance of onboard standards have increased steadily with time. Some current satellites perform well enough in terms of frequency drift, flicker FM noise floor, and long-term stability to compare favorably with the cesium beam standards carried on NAVSTAR GPS satellites launched in 1983-84     

Moving clocks, reference frames and the twin paradox

It is the act of moving a clock out of one inertial frame of reference (IFR) and into another IFR which causes the clock to slow. But what of identical clocks constructed and calibrated in different IFRs? This paper takes a look at such a scenario, demonstrating that two such clocks would tick synchronously and concludes with a new look at the famous “twin-paradox” of special relativity     

Ensembling clocks of Global Positioning System

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite navigation system capable of providing 15-m position accuracy. Its system time reference is currently one of the monitor station clocks. Using a simple two-clock example, it is shown analytically that improved reference time stability and overall state estimation accuracy can be achieved by constructing GPS time as an ensemble of all system clocks and that the problem of covariance divergence can be handled by the introduction of pseudomeasurement processing     

原子钟性能对卫星导航系统定位精度的影响分析

星载原子钟是卫星导航系统的关键设备,原子钟主要通过影响卫星钟差对定位精度产生影响,分析了GNSS星载原子钟性能对定位精度的影响.通过原理分析,建立了原子钟稳定度与卫星导航系统定位精度的关系.在不考虑控制段对星钟校准误差的前提下,将原子钟噪声与星上工作环境因素作为主要因素,分析了GPS-IIF铷钟和铯钟对钟差/定位误差的影响,并给出了分析结果.最后,利用iGMAS提供的钟差产品数据,对比了北斗和GPS部分原子钟的稳定度及其对定位精度的影响,为后续星载原子钟的发展与选择提供了一定参考.     

Frequency steering of spaceborne clocks based on XPNAV-1 observations

Due to high stable rotations, timing of pulsars provides a natural tool to correct the frequency deviation of spaceborne atomic clocks. Based on processing the observational data about a year of Crab pulsar given by XPNAV-1 satellite, we study the possibility of correcting the frequency deviation of spaceborne atomic clocks using pulsar timing. According to the observational data in X-ray band and the timing model parameters from radio observations, the pre-fit timing residuals with a level of 6...     

时间基准的现在和未来

介绍了时间基准、时间系统的基本内涵及常用类型，阐述了当前时间基准的理论定义、计量定义、物理实现。分析评估了时间基准未来可能的发展变化，特别是对光钟的影响、秒定义的变化、闰秒的变化等进行了详细分析。考虑到我国实际情况，从基础研究、技术试验和体系应用的角度给出了关于时间基准的一些思考和建议。     

导航星座的自主导航技术--卫星自主时间同步

基于星载原子时钟频率稳定性的Allan方差表达,建立系统状态方程,并以星间双向测量伪距差作为基本观测量,组成系统测量方程,从而可以设计适用于导航星座卫星时间同步的Kalman滤波算法。系统仿真结果表明：通过对星间双向测量数据的滤波处理,能够实现星座卫星时间精密同步。     

Space-system timekeeping in the presence of solar flares

It has become increasingly clear that the enhanced space radiation environment associated with solar activity can play havoc with satellite systems. An important special case of this problem concerns precise timekeeping among orbiting communications satellites, where the loss of synchronization can mean the loss of communications. Here, we discuss one satellite system's solution to this problem, where radiation-sensitive spacecraft crystal oscillators are "slaved" to radiation-insensitive spacecraft atomic clocks.     

一种适用于飞行器控制系统的快速时变参数辨识方法

 在自适应控制中,特别在飞行器控制系统中,经常会遇到快速时变参数的辨识问题,这是一个比较困难的问题。本文利用折线段近似时变参数,根据最小二乘原理导出了一种计算比较简单、辨识精度较高的快速时交参数辨识方法。文中对反坦克导弹和地空导弹等快速时变系统进行了数学模拟.其结果表明,这种辨识方法不仅适用于连续快速时变系统,而且在参数变化存在第二类间断点时,仍有较好的辨识结果。     

Observability, ensemble averaging and GPS time

Obtaining time from an ensemble of clocks with a Kalman filter when the system is not observable is examined. Particular attention is given to the Global Positioning System (GPS) master control station (MCS) Kalman filter and the ramifications of estimating ensemble time under conditions of unobservability are explored. The effect of one proposed workaround to problems caused by unobservability is addressed     

Clock Synchronization from Satellite Tracking

The tracking of synchronous satellites to provide propagation delays for the synchronization of clocks is described. The tracking is accomplished by range measurements to the satellite from three stations using signals transponded by the satellite. These same signals also functioned as the timing signals for the synchronization of other stations' clocks. Although the range measurements were of low resolution by usual standards, approximately 3000 meters, they provided the delays necessary to synchronize clocks to 40 microseconds or better. These results were obtained over a 4-month period using two satellites with measurements from five stations in the United States and South America.     

Radioactive Clocks and Cosmic-ray Transport in the Galaxy

There are a number of radioactive clocks in the cosmic radiation that can be used to measure the time scales for cosmic ray processes in the Galaxy. With high-resolution isotope measurements available from ACE it is now possible to read these clocks with greatly improved accuracy and address key questions about the origin and lifetime of cosmic rays. This paper discusses the status of three such investigations.     

Particle Acceleration Mechanisms

In this paper we review the possible mechanisms for production of non-thermal electrons which are responsible for the observed non-thermal radiation in clusters of galaxies. Our primary focus is on non-thermal Bremsstrahlung and inverse Compton scattering, that produce hard X-ray emission. We first give a brief review of acceleration mechanisms and point out that in most astrophysical situations, and in particular for the intracluster medium, shocks, turbulence and plasma waves play a crucial role. We also outline how the effects of the turbulence can be accounted for. Using a generic model for turbulence and acceleration, we then consider two scenarios for production of non-thermal radiation. The first is motivated by the possibility that hard X-ray emission is due to non-thermal Bremsstrahlung by nonrelativistic particles and attempts to produce non-thermal tails by accelerating the electrons from the background plasma with an initial Maxwellian distribution. For acceleration rates smaller than the Coulomb energy loss rate, the effect of energising the plasma is to primarily heat the plasma with little sign of a distinct non-thermal tail. Such tails are discernible only for acceleration rates comparable or larger than the Coulomb loss rate. However, these tails are accompanied by significant heating and they are present for a short time of <10⁶ years, which is also the time that the tail will be thermalised. A longer period of acceleration at such rates will result in a runaway situation with most particles being accelerated to very high energies. These more exact treatments confirm the difficulty with this model, first pointed out by Petrosian (Astrophys. J. 557:560, 2001). Such non-thermal tails, even if possible, can only explain the hard X-ray but not the radio emission which needs GeV or higher energy electrons. For these and for production of hard X-rays by the inverse Compton model, we need the second scenario where there is injection and subsequent acceleration of relativistic electrons. It is shown that a steady state situation, for example arising from secondary electrons produced from cosmic ray proton scattering by background protons, will most likely lead to flatter than required electron spectra or it requires a short escape time of the electrons from the cluster. An episodic injection of relativistic electrons, presumably from galaxies or AGN, and/or episodic generation of turbulence and shocks by mergers can result in an electron spectrum consistent with observations but for only a short period of less than one billion years.     

两种复合材料层间脱粘问题的研究

高硅氧玻璃纤维布／酚醛树脂缠绕成型复合材料和碳纤维／酚醛树脂模压成型复合材料复合时，两者层间常出现严重脱粘。本文通过实验分析发现，导致两种复合材料层间脱粘的主要原因为高硅氧玻璃纤维布／酚醛树脂缠乌云 固化成型时的残余应力及中间层的影响。通过低固化温度、减慢升高速率，减少富树脂层厚度等措施有效地解决了层间脱粘问题。     

Receiver clock-based integrity monitoring for GPS precision approaches

The errors in the vertical position and clock bias estimates obtained from GPS pseudo-range measurements are highly correlated. Therefore, the error in a vertical position estimate can be predicted if we know the clock bias estimation error. The latter can be estimated if the clock bias changes smoothly and, therefore, predictably. The current technology appears capable of manufacturing clocks which can meet this smoothness requirement for airborne use within the constraints of size, weight, and cost. We discuss the theoretical basis and present empirical data from laboratory and field experiments with a commercial rubidium standard to explore the benefits of integrity monitoring for precision approaches based on the receiver clock.