High Sensitivity Digital Instantaneous Frequency Measurement Receiver for Precise Frequency Analysis

There are numerous applications, such as Radar, that leverage wideband technology. However, the presence of noise introduces certain limitations and challenges. It is crucial to harness wideband technology for applications demanding the rapid and precise transmission of diverse information from one point to another within a short timeframe. The ability to report a signal without tuning within the input bandwidth stands out as one of the advantages of employing a digital wideband receiver. As indicated, a digital wideband receiver plays a pivotal role in achieving high precision and accuracy. The primary distinction between Analog and Digital Instantaneous Frequency Measurement lies in the fact that analog Instantaneous Frequency Measurement (IFM) receivers have traditionally covered extensive input bandwidths, reporting one accurate frequency per short pulse. In the contemporary landscape, digital IFM systems utilize high-sampling-rate Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADC) along with Hilbert transforms to generate two output channels featuring a 90-degree phase shift. This paper explores the improvement of sensitivity in current digital IFM receivers. The optimization efforts target the Hilbert transform and autocorrelations architectures, aiming to refine the system’s ability to report fine frequencies within a noisy wide bandwidth environment, thereby elevating its overall sensitivity.

First Evaluation and Frequency Measurement of the Strontium Optical Lattice Clock at NIM

An optical lattice clock based on 87Sr is built at National Institute of Metrology （NIM） of China. The systematic frequency shifts of the clock are evaluated with a total uncertainty of 2.3×10-16. To measure its absolute frequency with respect to NIM＇s cesium fountain clock NIM5, the frequency of a flywheel H-maser of NIM5 is transferred to the Sr laboratory through a 50-kin-long fiber. reference frequency of this H-maser, is used for the optical this Sr clock is measured to be 429228004229873.7（1.4）Hz. A fiber optical frequency comb, phase-locked to the frequency measurement. The absolute frequency of

Precision frequency measurement of 1^S0–3^P1 intercombination lines of Sr isotopes

We report on frequency measurement of the intercombination（5s^2）^1S0–（5s5p）^3P1transition of the four natural isotopes of strontium, including88^Sr（82.58%）,87^Sr（7.0%）,86^Sr（9.86%）, and84^Sr（0.56%）. A narrow-linewidth laser that is locked to an ultra-low expansion（ULE） optical cavity with a finesse of 12000 is evaluated at a linewidth of 200 Hz with a fractional frequency drift of 2.8×10^-13 at an integration time of 1 s. The fluorescence collector and detector are specially designed, based on a thermal atomic beam. Using a double-pass acousto-optic modulator（AOM） combined with a fiber and laser power stabilization configuration to detune the laser frequency enables high signal-to-noise ratios and precision saturated spectra to be obtained for the six transition lines, which allows us to determine the transition frequency precisely.The optical frequency is measured using an optical frequency synthesizer referenced to an H maser. Both the statistical values and the final values, including the corrections and uncertainties, are derived for a comparison with the values given in other works.

A diode laser spectrometer at 634 nm and absolute frequency measurements using optical frequency comb

This paper reports that two identical external-cavity-diode-laser （ECDL） based spectrometers are constructed at 634nm referencing on the hyperfine B-X transition R（80）8-4 of 127I2. The lasers are stabilized on the Doppler-free absorption signals using the third-harmonic detection technique. The instability of the stabilized laser is measured to be 2.8 × 10^-12 （after 1000 s） by counting the beat note between the two lasers. The absolute optical frequency of the transition is, for the first time, determined to be 472851936189.5 kHz by using an optical frequency comb referenced on the microwave caesium atomic clock. The uncertainty of the measurement is less than 4.9 kHz.

Instantaneous frequency measurement using two parallel I/Q modulators based on optical power monitoring

A scheme for instantaneous frequency measurement(IFM)using two parallel I/Q modulators based on optical power monitoring is proposed.The amplitude comparison function(ACF)can be constructed to establish the relationship between the frequency of radio frequency(RF)signal and the power ratio of two optical signals output by two I/Q modulators.The frequency of RF signal can be derived by measuring the optical power of the optical signals output by two I/Q modulators.The measurement range and measurement error can be adjusted by controlling the delay amount of the electrical delay line.The feasibility of the scheme is verified,and the corresponding measurement range and measurement error of the system under different delay amounts of the electrical delay line are given.Compared with previous IFM schemes,the structure of this scheme is simple.Polarization devices,a photodetector and an electrical power meter are not used,which reduces the impact of the environmental disturbance on the system and the cost of the system.In simulation,the measurement range can reach 0 GHz-24.5 GHz by adjusting the delay amount of the electrical delay lineτ=20 ps.The measurement error of the scheme is better at low frequency,and the measurement error of low frequency 0 GHz-9.6 GHz can reach-0.1 GHz to+0.05 GHz.

Different Frequency Synchronization Theory and Its Frequency Measurement Practice Teaching Innovation Based on Lissajous Figure Method

According to the requirement of multi-parameter time and frequency measurement without frequency normalization,a different frequency synchronization theory is proposed based on Lissajous figure method and the variation lawof Lissajous figure which are used in practice teaching of frequency measurement. The theory can achieve high-precision transmission and comparison of time and frequency and precise locking and tracking of phase and frequency,improve the level of scientific research on time and frequency for postgraduate,and promote practice teaching innovation of time frequency measurement for undergraduate. Utilizing the ratio of horizontal and vertical inflection point of the Lissajous figure,the nominal frequency of the measured signal is precisely calculated.The frequency deviation between the measured frequency and its nominal frequency can be obtained by combining the turning cycle of the Lissajous figure. By observing the phase relationship between the frequency standard signal and the measured signal,the accurate measurement of the frequency is implemented. Experimental results showthat the direct measurement and comparison better than the 10-11 order of magnitude with common frequency source can be finished between any signal frequencies.The frequency measurement method based on the theory has the advantage of simple operation,quick measurement speed,small error,lownoise and high measurement precision. It plays an important role in time synchronization,communications,metrology,scientific research,educational technology practice and equipment and other fields.

Precision Frequency Measurement of ^(87)Rb 5S_(1/2)(F=2)→5D_(5/2)(F″=4)Two-Photon Transition through a Fiber-Based Optical Frequency Comb

The absolute frequency of 87Rb 5S1/2 （F=2）→5D5/2 （F＂ = 4） two-photon transition at 778nm is measured in an accuracy of 44kHz. A home-made erbium-doped fiber laser frequency comb with frequency stability of 5.0 × 10-13@1 s is employed for the light source. By using a periodically poled lithium niobate, the femtosecond pulse operating in 1556 nm is frequency-doubled to 778 nm to obtain the direct two-photon transition spectroscopy of thermal rubidium vapor. Through sweeping the carrier envelope offset frequency （fceo）, the 5S1/2 （F=2）→5D5/2 （F＂ = 4） two-photon transition line is clearly resolved and its absolute frequency is determined via the peak-finding of the fitting curve. After the frequency correction, the measured result agrees well with the previous experiment on this transition. The entire potential candidate of optical frequency standard for system configuration is compact and robust, providing a telecommunication applications.

Switchable instantaneous frequency measurement by optical power monitoring based on DP-QPSK modulator

We propose and analyze an instantaneous frequency measurement system by using optical power monitoring technique with improved resolution.The primary component adopted in the proposal is a dual-polarization quadrature phase shift keying(DP-QPSK) modulator which is used to modulate the microwave signal that has a designed time delay and phase shifting.The generated optical signal is sent to polarization beam splitter(PBS) in DP-QPSK modulator.Owing to the complementary transmission nature of polarization interference introduced by PBS,the frequency information is converted into the optical power and the relationship between the amplitude comparison function(ACF) and microwave frequency to be measured is established.Thus,the frequency of the microwave signal can be easily measured through monitoring the optical powers of the two output ports of the PBS.Furthermore,by adjusting the direct current(DC) biases of the DP-QPSK modulator instead of changing the electrical delay,the measurement range and resolution can be switched.In this paper,the basic principle of the instantaneous frequency measurement system is derived in detail,and simulation has been performed to investigate the resolution,the measurement range,and the influence of imperfection devices.The proposed scheme is wavelength-independent and its measurement range is switchable,which can avoid the laser wavelength drifting problem and thus greatly increasing the system flexibility.

Absolutely Direct Frequency Measurement of Two-Photon Transition Using Multi-Peak Fitting Approach

The optical frequency comb has been widely used in precision measurement. In this study, a multi-peak fitting approach is first proposed to fit the two-photon transition spectrum which overlaps with the neighboring transition in Rb-87. The multi-peak fitting approach is used to eliminate the frequency shift affected by the neighboring transition. With locking the carrier envelope offset frequency at 1/4 repetition frequency, the transition frequency is measured to be 770569132739.9 +/- 5.8 kHz, which agrees well with the previous result recommended by Comite International des Poids et Mesures.

Damage Identification in Footbridges from Natural Frequency Measurements

The present study aims to develop a robust structural damage identification method that can be used for the evaluation of bridge structures. An approach for the structural damage identification based on the measurement of natural frequencies is presented. The structural damage model is assumed to be associated with a reduction of a contribution to the element stiffness matrix equivalent to a scalar reduction of the material modulus. A computational procedure for the direct iteration technique based on the non-linear perturbation theory is proposed to identify structural damage. The presented damage identification technique is applied to the footbridge over the Slunjcica River near Slunj to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Using a limited number of measured natural frequencies, reduction in the stiffness of up to 100% at multiple sites is detected. The results indicate that the proposed approach can be successful in not only predicting the location of damage but also in determining the extent of structural damage.

MEASUREMENT OF AMPLITUDE AND DELAY OF STIMULUS FREQUENCY OTOACOUSTIC EMISSIONS

Although stimulus frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAEs) have been used as a non-invasive measure of cochlear mechanics, clinical and experimental application of SFOAEs has been limited by difficulties in accurately deriving quantitative information from sound pressure measured in the ear canal. In this study, a novel signal processing method for multicomponent analysis (MCA) was used to measure the amplitude and delay of the SFOAE. This report shows the delay-frequency distribution of the SFOAE measured from the human ear. A low level acoustical suppressor near the probe tone significantly suppressed the SFOAE, strongly indicating that the SFOAE was generated at characteristic frequency locations. Information derived from this method may reveal more details of cochlear mechanics in the human ear.

A super-high resolution frequency standard measuring approach based on phase coincidence characteristics between signals

A method for super high resolution comparison measurement is proposed in this paper with a comparison between the frequency standards of different nominal frequencies, which is based on phase coincidence detection of the two compared signals. It utilizes the regular phase shift characteristics between the signals. The resolution of the measurement approach can reach 10^-13/s at 5 MHz, and the self-calibration resolution can achieve 10^-14/s in the comparison between 10 MHz and 100 MHz, or even can reach 10^-15/s in the comparison between 10 MHz and 190 MHz. This method implies significant progress in the development of the high precision frequency standard comparison technology.

Precise determination of characteristic laser frequencies by an Er-doped fiber optical frequency comb

Femtosecond optical frequency combs correlate the microwave and optical frequencies accurately and coherently.Therefore,any optical frequency in visible to near-infrared region can be directly traced to a microwave frequency.As a result,the length unit“meter”is directly related to the time unit“second”.This paper validates the capability of the national wavelength standards based on a home-made Er-doped fiber femtosecond optical frequency comb to measure the laser frequencies ranging from visible to near-infrared region.Optical frequency conversion in the femtosecond optical frequency comb is achieved by combining spectral broadening in a highly nonlinear fiber with a single-point frequencydoubling scheme.The signal-to-noise ratio of the beat notes between the femtosecond optical frequency comb and the lasers at 633,698,729,780,1064,and 1542 nm is better than 30 d B.The frequency instability of the above lasers is evaluated by using a hydrogen clock signal with a instability of better than 1×10^(-13)at 1-s averaging time.The measurement is further validated by measuring the absolute optical frequency of an iodine-stabilized 532-nm laser and an acetylenestabilized 1542-nm laser.The results are within the uncertainty range of the international recommended values.Our results demonstrate the accurate optical frequency measurement of lasers at different frequencies using the femtosecond optical frequency comb,which is not only important for the precise and accurate traceability and calibration of the laser frequencies,but also provides technical support for establishing the national wavelength standards based on the femtosecond optical frequency comb.

A novel high precision Doppler frequency estimation method based on the third-order phase-locked loop

In deep space exploration,many engineering and scientific requirements require the accuracy of the measured Doppler frequency to be as high as possible.In our paper,we analyze the possible frequency measurement points of the third-order phase-locked loop(PLL)and find a new Doppler measurement strategy.Based on this finding,a Doppler frequency measurement algorithm with significantly higher measurement accuracy is obtained.In the actual data processing,compared with the existing engineering software,the accuracy of frequency of 1 second integration is about 5.5 times higher when using the new algorithm.The improved algorithm is simple and easy to implement.This improvement can be easily combined with other improvement methods of PLL,so that the performance of PLL can be further improved.

COMPLETE PARAMETER MEASUREMENT FOR MIMO BISTATIC RADAR WITHOUT SYNCHRONIZATION

In order to measure the range, angle, and Doppler frequency of the target without any synchronization in the bistatic radar, a novel complete parameter estimation method based on separability of a pair of Linear Frequency Modulation (LFM) signal is presented. The Doppler fre-quency is measured by the time difference between two peak positions corresponding to the positive and the negative LFM return signal respectively. Direction Of Departures (DODs) and Direction Of Arrivals (DOAs) of the target are estimated by constructing a special eigenmatrix in which the es-timated angles can be extracted from the eigenvalue or the eigenvector. The target position can be located in the presence of the estimated DODs, DOAs and the signal delay difference between the echo and the directive wave signal in Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) bistatic radar without any synchronization. The correctness and effectiveness of the proposed method are verified by the computer simulation.

Photonic-assisted approach for instantaneous microwave frequency measurement with tunable range by using Mach-Zehnder interferometers

A novel photonic-assisted approach to microwave frequency measurement is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The proposed scheme is based on the frequency-to-power mapping with different transmis- sion responses. A polarizer is used in one output branch of a phase modulator to simultaneously implement phase modulation and intensity modulation. Owing to the complementary nature of the transmission re- sponses and the Mach-Zehnder interferometers （MZIs）, this scheme theoretically provides high resolution and tunable measurement range. The measurement errors in the experimental results can be kept within 0.2 GHz over a freauencv ranee from 0.1 to 5.3 GHz.

Photonic-assisted single system for microwave frequency and phase noise measurement

We propose a photonic-assisted single system for measuring the frequency and phase noise of microwave signals in a large spectral range. Both the frequency and phase noise to be measured are extracted from the phase difference between the signal under testing and its replica delayed by a span of fiber and a variable optical delay line(VODL). The system calibration, frequency measurement, and phase noise measurement are performed by adjusting the VODL at different working modes. Accurate frequency and phase noise measurement for microwave signals in a large frequency range from 5 to 50 GHz is experimentally demonstrated.

Photonic approach to microwave frequency measurement with extended range based on phase modulation

We propose and demonstrate a photonic approach to instantaneous frequency measurement with an extended range based on phase modulation. In the measurement system, two optical wavelengths and two dispersion fiber segments are used to construct the frequency-dependent amplitude comparison functions （ACFs）. Several ACFs can be utilized jointly to determine the microwave frequency without ambiguities beyond a monotonic region of the lone conventional ACF. The measurable range of microwave frequency can be extended and the accuracy can be improved by selecting an ACF with a large slope. The experimental results show that the errors are limited within ±140 MHz of a frequency measuremental range from 8 to 20 GHz.

Technical Research for Detector of Grain Moisture Content Based on Error Compensation

According to the existing method including testing the frequency and establishing the relationship between moisture content and frequency, a corresponding instrument was designed. In order to further improve the accuracy and rapidity of the system, a new approach to describe the relationship between the measurement error and the temperature was proposed. The error band could be obtained and divided into several parts（based on the range of temperature） to indicate the error value that should compensate the grain moisture content for the changes in temperature. By calculating the error band at the maximum and the minimum operating temperatures, as well as by determining the error compensation value from the error band based on the measurement moisture content, the final effective result was derived.

New design of high-precision oven controlled crystal oscillator

Combining oven controlled technique,digital compensation,high-resolution frequency difference measurement and self-calibration technique,a new design method of precise oven controlled crystal oscillator（OCXO） is proposed.Fine compensation is made in the vicinity of the crystal temperature inflection point by using the non-real-time temperature compensation strategy,and self-calibration system is integrated in the crystal.The method improves the digital compensated phase noise,simplifies the traditional OCXO development system,reduces the cost and shortens the developing cycle.Experiment results show that with a standard reference signal and self-calibration updated data,the oscillator can work stable and achieve its best performence.The performance index of crystal oscillator had an improvement with one to two orders of magnitude on the basis of original technical index.The method is widely used in the improvement of high-end crystal oscillator and atomic clock.