Remote atomic clock synchronization via satellites and optical fibers

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates optical fiber-based clock synchronization with sub-50 ps uncertainty over 2 km, offering a promising alternative to satellite methods for precise global time transfer.

Contribution

It introduces a calibrated clock comparison method using optical fibers achieving below 50 ps uncertainty over 2 km, enhancing remote atomic clock synchronization.

Findings

Optical fiber synchronization achieves <50 ps uncertainty over 2 km.

Fiber-based methods outperform current satellite-based time transfer in precision.

Potential for long-distance calibration with optical fibers in global timekeeping.

Abstract

In the global network of institutions engaged with the realization of International Atomic Time (TAI), atomic clocks and time scales are compared by means of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and by employing telecommunication satellites for two-way satellite time and frequency transfer (TWSTFT). The frequencies of the state-of-the-art primary caesium fountain clocks can be compared at the level of 10e-15 (relative, 1 day averaging) and time scales can be synchronized with an uncertainty of one nanosecond. Future improvements of worldwide clock comparisons will require also an improvement of the local signal distribution systems. For example, the future ACES (atomic clock ensemble in space) mission shall demonstrate remote time scale comparisons at the uncertainty level of 100 ps. To ensure that the ACES ground instrument will be synchronized to the local time scale at PTB without a significant uncertainty contribution, we have developed a means for calibrated clock comparisons through optical fibers. An uncertainty below 50 ps over a distance of 2 km has been demonstrated on the campus of PTB. This technology is thus in general a promising candidate for synchronization of enhanced time transfer equipment with the local realizations of UTC . Based on these experiments we estimate the uncertainty level for calibrated time transfer through optical fibers over longer distances. These findings are compared with the current status and developments of satellite based time transfer systems, with a focus on the calibration techniques for operational systems.