Preliminary analysis of frequency jumps in BDS satellite clock

Abstract

Atomic clocks onboard satellites are of importance for Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). Frequency jumps are common in rubidium atomic frequency standard (RAFS). Real-time detection and correction of these jumps are of vital importance due to the direct impact on the GNSS positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) performance. The latest BDS C13 satellite is an IGSO satellite in replacement of the old MEO. This paper preliminarily analyzes the characteristics of BDS C13 onboard satellite clocks using the methods of block averaging (BLKAVG), sequential averaging (SEQAVG), cumulative sum (CUMSUM). Results show that C13 satellite clock underwent several frequency jumps and a clock switch during the investigated period.