Patent · US Expired

Methods and apparatus for digital frequency generation in atomic frequency standards

US5714910A · kind A · utility

106Cited by
5References
59Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 19, 1994
Grant dateFeb 3, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 19, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03L7/26
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A physics package interrogation signal can be digitally synthesized for use in an atomic frequency standard with one or more sets of integrally-related sub-multiples of a clock frequency in which one of the integrally-related sub-multiple frequencies is varied to provide frequency modulation between integrally-adjacent sub-multiple frequencies through the use of preloadable counters, the controlled delay and the synchronization of digital pulse trains and operation in plural modes. The method and apparatus can reduce false lock possibilities, optimize the ability of the physics package to remain locked, and reduce phase noise in the output of an atomic frequency standard.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.