The time and frequency system of the Tianma 65 m radio telescope

A time and frequency system is a critical component of Very Long Baseline Interferometry(VLBI)stations,providing stable and reliable standards that directly impact data processing quality.At the Tianma 65 m radio telescope(TMRT),this system has been meticulously designed to ensure long-term reliability and high performance.It incorporates high-performance hydrogen atomic clocks,high-precision time standards,automatic signal switching,and robust system software.This comprehensive approach has enabled the system to achieve long-term reliable operation,successfully supporting both major national engineering tasks and daily scientific observations.The effectiveness of the system is evidenced by its consistent delivery of the precision and stability required for radio astronomy.This article provides an in-depth exploration of the design and operation of the time and frequency system at the Tianma 65 m telescope,examining various aspects of its architecture,implementation,and performance.By sharing these insights,we aim to contribute knowledge that could benefit similar systems at other VLBI stations,greatly advancing radio astronomy infrastructure.

Joint AVO inversion in the time and frequency domain with Bayesian interference

Amplitude variations with offset or incident angle （AVO/AVA） inversion are typically combined with statistical methods, such as Bayesian inference or deterministic inversion. We propose a joint elastic inversion method in the time and frequency domain based on Bayesian inversion theory to improve the resolution of the estimated P- and S-wave velocities and density. We initially construct the objective function using Bayesian inference by combining seismic data in the time and frequency domain. We use Cauchy and Gaussian probability distribution density functions to obtain the prior information for the model parameters and the likelihood function, respectively. We estimate the elastic parameters by solving the initial objective function with added model constraints to improve the inversion robustness. The results of the synthetic data suggest that the frequency spectra of the estimated parameters are wider than those obtained with conventional elastic inversion in the time domain. In addition, the proposed inversion approach offers stronger antinoising compared to the inversion approach in the frequency domain. Furthermore, results from synthetic examples with added Gaussian noise demonstrate the robustness of the proposed approach. From the real data, we infer that more model parameter details can be reproduced with the proposed joint elastic inversion.

Numerical Prediction Methods for Clock Deviation Based on Two-Way Satellite Time and Frequency Transfer Data

Three functional models, polynomial, spectral analysis, and modified AR model, are studied and compared in fitting and predicting clock deviation based on the data sequence derived from two-way satellite time and frequency transfer. A robust equivalent weight is applied, which controls the significant influence of outlying observations. Some conclusions show that the prediction precision of robust estimation is better than that of LS. The prediction precision calculated from smoothed observations is higher than that calculated from sampling observations. As a count of the obvious period variations in the clock deviation sequence, the predicted values of polynomial model are implausible. The prediction precision of spectral analysis model is very low, but the principal periods can be determined. The prediction RMS of 6-hour extrapolation interval is Ins or so, when modified AR model is used.

Modeling of cascaded high isolation bidirectional amplification in long-distance fiber-optic time and frequency synchronization system

We propose a physical model of estimating noise and asymmetry brought by high isolation Bi-directional erbiumdoped fiber amplifiers(Bi-EDFAs),no spontaneous lasing even with high gain,in longdistance fiber-optic time and frequency(T/F)synchronization system.It is found that the Rayleigh scattering noise can be suppressed due to the high isolation design,but the amplified spontaneous emission(ASE)noise generated by the high isolation Bi-EDFA and the bidirectional asymmetry of the transmission link caused by the high isolation Bi-EDFA will deteriorate the stability of the system.The calculated results show that under the influence of ASE noise,the frequency instability of a 1200 km system composed of 15 high isolation Bi-EDFAs is 1.773×10^(-13)/1 s.And the instability caused by asymmetry is 2.6064×10^(-16)/30000–35000 s if the total asymmetric length of the bidirectional link length is 30 m.The intensity noises originating from the laser and detector,the transfer delay fluctuations caused by the variation in ambient temperature and the jitter in laser output wavelength are also studied.The experiment composed of three high isolation Bi-EDFAs is done to confirm the theoretical analysis.In summary,the paper shows that the short-term instability of the T/F synchronization system composed of high isolation Bi-EDFAs is limited by the accumulation of ASE noise of amplifiers and the laser frequency drift,while the long-term instability is limited by the periodic variation in ambient temperature and the asymmetry of the amplifiers.The research results are useful for pointing out the direction to improve the stability of the fiber-optic T/F synchronization system.

Joint transfer of time and frequency signals and multi-point synchronization via fiber network

A system of jointly transferring time signals with a rate of 1 pulse per second （PPS） and frequency signals of 10 MHz via a dense wavelength division multiplex-based （DWDM） fiber is demonstrated in this paper. The noises of the fiber links are suppressed and compensated for by a controlled fiber delay line. A method of calibrating and characterizing time is described. The 1PPS is synchronized by feed-forward calibrating the fiber delays precisely. The system is experimen- tally examined via a 110 km spooled fiber in laboratory. The frequency stabilities of the user end with compensation are 1.8x 10-14 at 1 s and 2.0x 10-17 at 104 s average time. The calculated uncertainty of time synchronization is 13.1 ps, whereas the direct measurement of the uncertainty is 12 ps. Next, the frequency and 1PPS are transferred via a metropoli- tan area optical fiber network from one central site to two remote sites with distances of 14 km and 110 km. The frequency stabilities of 14 km link reach 3.0x 10-14 averaged in 1 s and 1.4x 10-17 in 104 s respectively; and the stabilities of 110 km link are 8.3 x 10-14 and 1.7 x 10-17, respectively. The accuracies of synchronization are estimated to be 12.3 ps for the 14 km link and 13.1 ps for the 110 km link, respectively.

Optical frequency comb technology: from ground to space

Optical frequency combs,as powerful tools for precision spectroscopy and research into optical frequency standards,have driven continuous progress and significant breakthroughs in applications such as time-frequency transfer,measurement of fundamental physical constants,and high-precision ranging,achieving a series of milestone results in ground-based environments.With the continuous maturation and evolution of femtosecond lasers and related technologies,optical frequency combs are moving from ground-based applications to astronomical and space-based applications,playing an increasingly important role in atomic clocks,exoplanet observations,gravitational wave measurements,and other areas.This paper,focusing on astronomical and space-based applications,reviews research progress on astronomical frequency combs,optical clock time-frequency networks,gravitational waves,dark matter measurement,dual-comb large-scale absolute ranging,and high-resolution atmospheric spectroscopy.With enhanced performance and their gradual application in the field of space-based research,optical frequency combs will undoubtedly provide more powerful support for astronomical science and cosmic exploration in the future.

Application of Geodetic Receivers to Timing and Time Transfer

Two methods for smoothing pseudorange observable by Carrier and Doppler are discussed. Then the procedure based on the RINEX observation files is tested using the Ashtech Z-XII3T geodetic receivers driven by a stable external frequency at UNSO. This paper proposes to adapt this procedure for the links between geodetic receivers, in order to take advantage of the P codes available on L 1 and L 2. This new procedure uses the 30-second RINEX observations files, the standard of the International GPS Service (IGS), and processes the ionosphere-free combination of the codes P 1 and P 2; the satellite positions are deduced from the IGS rapid orbits, available after two days.

Source-Independent Amplitude-Semblance Full-Waveform Inversion using a Hybrid Time-and Frequency-Domain Approach

Full-waveform inversion is a promising tool to produce accurate and high-resolution subsurface models.Conventional full-waveform inversion requires an accu-rate estimation of the source wavelet,and its computational cost is high.We develop a novel source-independent full-waveform inversion method using a hybrid time-and frequency-domain scheme to avoid the requirement of source wavelet estimation and to reduce the computational cost.We employ an amplitude-semblance objective function to not only effectively remove the source wavelet effect on full-waveform inver-sion,but also to eliminate the impact of the inconsistency of source wavelets among different shot gathers on full-waveform inversion.To reduce the high computational cost of full-waveform inversion in the time domain,we implement our new algorithm using a hybrid time-and frequency-domain approach.The forward and backward wave propagation operations are conducted in the time domain,while the frequency-domain wavefields are obtained during modeling using the discrete-time Fourier trans-form.The inversion process is conducted in the frequency domain for selected frequen-cies.We verify our method using synthetic seismic data for the Marmousi model.The results demonstrate that our novel source-independent full-waveform inversion pro-duces accurate velocity models even if the source signature is incorrect.In addition,our method can significantly reduce the computational time using the hybrid time-and frequency-domain approach compared to the conventional full-waveform inversion in the time domain.

COMPASS time synchronization and dissemination—Toward centimetre positioning accuracy

In this paper we investigate methods to achieve highly accurate time synchronization among the satellites of the COMPASS global navigation satellite system(GNSS).Owing to the special design of COMPASS which implements several geo-stationary satellites(GEO),time synchronization can be highly accurate via microwave links between ground stations to the GEO satellites.Serving as space-borne relay stations,the GEO satellites can further disseminate time and frequency signals to other satellites such as the inclined geo-synchronous(IGSO)and mid-earth orbit(MEO)satellites within the system.It is shown that,because of the accuracy in clock synchronization,the theoretical accuracy of COMPASS positioning and navigation will surpass that of the GPS.In addition,the COMPASS system can function with its entire positioning,navigation,and time-dissemination services even without the ground link,thus making it much more robust and secure.We further show that time dissemination using the COMPASS-GEO satellites to earth-fixed stations can achieve very high accuracy,to reach 100 ps in time dissemination and 3 cm in positioning accuracy,respectively.In this paper,we also analyze two feasible synchronization plans.All special and general relativistic effects related to COMPASS clocks frequency and time shifts are given.We conclude that COMPASS can reach centimeter-level positioning accuracy and discuss potential applications.

High-Speed Numeral Filter in Impulse Voltage Measurement

Since the CPU of embed system has some limitation in operating speed, a new filter was put forward which implemented mountain template convolution by performing rectangle template convolution two times. It can obtain time and frequency localization with computational complexity greatly reduced. This algorithm was applied to lightning waveforms (include chopped waveforms) parameter calculation. It simplifies the computation and the results pretreated by this algorithm are in accord with IEC1083-2 completely. It was applied in embed system successfully. Its capability in frequency restraining was researched. The validity of the algorithm was proved in theory when processing lightning waves. The standard sources and the processing results are consistent completely.

Review of Photoacoustic Malaria Diagnostic Techniques

Malaria is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in developing countries. Accurate and complete diagnosis is key for effective treatment of the disease. However, mainstream malaria diagnostic techniques suffer from a number of shortcomings. There is therefore an urgent need for development of new and more efficient techniques for malaria diagnosis. In vivo Photoacoustic spectroscopy is an emerging technique, which has great potential of delivering a nearly ideal method for early diagnosis of the disease. The technique promises to be highly sensitive and specific. In this paper, a description of photoacoustic malaria sensing is given. This is followed by a review of photoacoustic-based malaria diagnostic techniques and suggestions for future improvements.

A blind separation method of overlapped multi-components based on time varying AR model

A method utilizing single channel recordings to blindly separate the multicomponents overlapped in time and frequency domains is proposed in this paper. Based on the time varying AR model, the instantaneous frequency and amplitude of each signal component are estimated respectively, thus the signal component separation is achieved. By using prolate spheroidal sequence as basis functions to expand the time varying parameters of the AR model, the method turns the problem of linear time varying parameters estimation to a linear time invariant parameter estimation problem, then the parameters are estimated by a recursive algorithm. The computation of this method is simple, and no prior knowledge of the signals is needed. Simulation results demonstrate validity and excellent performance of this method.