GPS Block IIF Rubidium Frequency Standard Life Test

Download or read book GPS Block IIF Rubidium Frequency Standard Life Test written by and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 9 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since August 2008, two production PerkinElmer Rubidium Frequency Standards (RFS) built for the GPS Block IIF satellites have been under test at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Precision Clock Evaluation Facility (PCEF). NRL, in conjunction with the GPS Wing, GPS Block IIF prime contractor Boeing, and the RFS manufacturer PerkinElmer, is conducting a minimum 3-year life test on the GPS IIF RFS units, serial numbers 5 and 25. The primary objectives of the program will be the verification of the design's life and reliability. A secondary objective will be the long-term characterization and evaluation of the GPS IIF RFS performance parameters. The two units are being operated in independent thermal vacuum chambers with high-resolution monitoring of the clock's frequency compared to the NRL hydrogen maser references. The units' internal monitors that would normally be sent as telemetry and environmental test conditions are monitored and recorded with high resolution. A status will be presented of the GPS IIF RFS units under test.