Considerations on the measurement of the stability of oscillators with frequency counters

Samuel T. Dawkins, John J. McFerran, André N. Luiten

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference paperConference paperpeer-review

    7 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The most common time-domain measure of frequency stability, the Allan variance, is typically estimated using a frequency counter. Close examination of the operation of modern high-resolution frequency counters shows that they do not make measurements in the way commonly assumed. The consequence is that the results typically reported by many laboratories using these counters are not, in fact, the Allan variance, but a distorted representation. We elucidate the action of these counters by consideration of their operation in the Fourier domain, and demonstrate that the difference between the actual Allan variance and that delivered by these counters can be very significant for some types of oscillators. We also discuss ways to avoid, or account for, a distorted estimation of Allan variance.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publication2007 IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium Joint with the 21st European Frequency and Time Forum, FCS
    PublisherIEEE, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
    Pages759-764
    Number of pages6
    ISBN (Print)1424406463, 9781424406463
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2007
    Event2007 IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium Joint with the 21st European Frequency and Time Forum, FCS - Geneva, Switzerland
    Duration: 29 May 20071 Jun 2007

    Publication series

    NameProceedings of the IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium and Exposition

    Conference

    Conference2007 IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium Joint with the 21st European Frequency and Time Forum, FCS
    Country/TerritorySwitzerland
    CityGeneva
    Period29/05/071/06/07

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