Verification of TIC characteristics for precise optical fiber time transfer links

Abstract

In this paper, there are presented the last results of tests of TICs characteristics for precise time transfer links, especially for optical fiber links, performed at GUM in cooperation with AGH and WAT. Tests of TICs were done by application of a special dual channel 1/100 pps generator and a very simply method of comparison of the changes of phase frequency measurement with the changes of time interval measurements between 1 pps signals derived from the standard frequency signals. The obtained results show the existence of non-linearities in operation of time interval converters/ algorithms inside TICs and instabilities at time interval measurements, observed also when the measured time interval is kept constant. These results can be treated as a reference for further analysis of accuracy and precision of time transfer links based on TIC measurements as well as for further investigations of TICs characteristics.