Citation

Abstract

The capability of very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) to monitor the stability of remotely-located hydrogen maser frequency standards has been demonstrated by a series of experiments conducted from September 1978, through January 1979, between Deep Space Stations in Australia, Spain, and California. The measured stabilities of the clock systems, over approximately 10-day intervals, were 1 to 3 parts in 10/3, with the instabilities due to the oscillators, the clock distribution systems, the receiving system delays, and the VLBI measurement error. Experiments were conducted independently using two different systems (BLOCK 0 and WBDAS). Later comparison shows agreement in the order of I part in 1013. Closure was demonstrated on three separate occasions to 33, 10, and 13 ns with an error uncertainty of +42 ns. The results clearly demonstrate the resolution and consistency of VLBI measurements.

Details

Volume
42-53
Published
October 15, 1979
Pages
40–53
File Size
1.2 MB