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Physical Measurement Laboratory /Time and Frequency Division

Time and Frequency Metrology

NIST's Time and Frequency Metrology Group has the world's most advanced measurement and calibration facilities for characterizing noise components in oscillators and frequency synthesizers. It engages in many activities to determine the cause of various kinds of noise for the purpose of isolating and reducing it, ultimately leading to improved components, instruments and techniques that are often necessary for new applications.

Measurement device for signals in the W band (75-110 GHz)
Noise Metrology
5 MHz Graph of phase noise vs. offset frequency showing NIST synthesized signal, Wenzel OXCO, and BVA oscilloquartz.
Low-Phase Noise Frequency Synthesis
Image of AM/PM Noise Calibration Standard device made by NIST
PM/AM Noise Calibration Services

Noise, present everywhere, causes a signal source to deviate from its ideal performance. It introduces time-dependent, random fluctuations in the frequency, phase and amplitude of a signal. These fluctuations due to noise manifest themselves as frequency modulation (FM), phase modulation (PM) and amplitude modulation (AM) of the ideal carrier. The spectral purity and frequency stability of a signal are characterized in terms of these modulation noise types. 

The goals of NIST’s Time and Frequency Metrology Group are to: (1) support high-precision noise measurements, (2) contribute to fundamental improvements in spectral purity of oscillators and frequency synthesizers, and (3) provide certified state-of-the-art PM and AM noise measurement capabilities to National Measurement Institutes (NMIs), US military, industrial and commercial organizations.

Projects and Programs

Web interface to control and monitor the servo with interactive blocks

FPGA Design

Ongoing
Our group is developing FPGA based digital phase noise measurement and control systems.
Measurement device for signals in the W band (75-110 GHz)

Noise Metrology

Ongoing
We provide state-of-the-art phase and amplitude noise measurements for signals from RF to optical frequencies.

Publications

Multipath Mitigation from FM-AM Correlation

Author(s)
Archita Hati, Craig W. Nelson
Multipath is one of the limiting factors for an accurate outdoor and indoor localization. We proposed an approach that uses a multipath mitigation derived from

PATENTS

  1. V. Gerginov, Two-Photon Optical Frequency Reference with Active AC Stark Shift Cancellation, Provisional Patent Application # 62,629,800
  2. A. Hati, C.W. Nelson, D.A. Howe, Phase Modulation Noise Reducer, United States, Patent # 10,050,608.
  3. D.A. Howe, A. Sen Gupta, C.W. Nelson, and F.L. Walls, High Spectral Purity Microwave Oscillator Using Air-Dielectric Cavity, United States Patent # 7,075,378
  4. F.L. Walls, Calibration System for Determining the Accuracy of Phase Modulation and Amplitude Modulation Noise Measurement Apparatus, United States Patent # 5,172,064
  5. F.L. Walls, Frequency Calibration Standard Using a Wide Band Phase Modulator, United States Patent # 5,101,506
  6. F.L. Walls, Method and Apparatus for Wide Band Phase Modulation, United States Patent # 4,968,908
  7. F.L. Walls and J.R. Vig, Acceleration Insensitive Oscillator, United States Patent # 4,575,690

Awards

David A. Howe

2018 IEEE Fellow - David A. Howe

David A. Howe, NIST and Colorado University Professional Research Advisor, from Boulder, Colorado, USA has been named an IEEE Fellow. He is
Fred Walls Portrait

1995 Rabi Award - Fred Walls

For major contributions to the characterization of noise and other instabilities of local oscillators and their effects on atomic frequency

News and Updates

Job Openings

Our group has periodic openings for Postdoctoral Fellows, Visiting Scientists, and Graduate Students. Please contact us for more information.

Contacts

Group Leader

Calibration Leader