Abstract High-precision time synchronization between satellites and ground stations plays the vital role in satellite navigation system. Laser time transfer (LTT) technology is widely recognized as the highest accuracy way to achieve time synchronization derived from satellite laser ranging (SLR) technology. Onboard LTT payload has been designed and developed by Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, and successfully applied to Chinese Beidou navigation satellites. By using the SLR system, with strictly controlling laser firing time and developing LTT data processing system on ground, the high precise onboard laser time transfer experiment has been first performed for satellite navigation system in the world. The clock difference and relative frequency difference between the ground hydrogen maser and space rubidium clocks have been obtained, with the precision of approximately 300ps and relative frequency stability of 10E−14. This article describes the development of onboard LTT payload, introduces the principle, system composition, applications and LTT measuring results for Chinese satellite navigation system.


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    Title :

    Design and experiment of onboard laser time transfer in Chinese Beidou navigation satellites


    Contributors:
    Meng, Wendong (author) / Zhang, Haifeng (author) / Huang, Peicheng (author) / Wang, Jie (author) / Zhang, Zhongping (author) / Liao, Ying (author) / Ye, Yang (author) / Hu, Wei (author) / Wang, Yuanming (author) / Chen, Wanzhen (author)

    Published in:

    Advances in Space Research ; 51 , 6 ; 951-958


    Publication date :

    2012-01-01


    Size :

    8 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English