System and Method for Precise, Accurate and Stable Optical Timing Information Definition Including Internally Self-consistent Substantially Jitter Free Timing Reference

摘要

An optoelectronic timing system includes an optical timing compensation system in which optical pulses from a semiconductor laser are advanced or retarded based upon an expected arrival time. The pulses are directed into a number of time-quantifiable optical paths. Optical switches may direct a pulse into an advancing path or a retarding path based on an arrival time of a previous pulse. The optical compensation system may be incorporated into a precision timing device in which multiple optical paths are arranged so that a travel time of a path is one order of magnitude different than a travel time of an adjacent path. Timing signals can be developed by coupling an optical detector to each of the multiple optical paths.