GPS Clock Technology and the Navy PTTI Programs at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

摘要

For many years, the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has been improving the Navy's capability in space systems for navigation and precise timing, frequently in conjunction with the U.S. Naval Observatory. We will briefly summarize NRL's work from tracking the earliest satellites through our part in developing the Global Positioning System (GPS). Currently, the GPS Clock Technology Program at NRL includes research into the design of atomic clocks for space and terrestrial use, technical management of contractual efforts to build space clocks for use on GPS spacecraft and the GPS Master Control Stations, operation of a sophisticated clock test facility, design of a remote timing station for the GPS Colorado Springs Operations Center, and coordination on timing related functions of the GPS user equipment. NRL is also involved in support of PTTI applications in other Navy programs. A brief summary of these will be included.