Levine, J.
(2016),
Measuring Time and Comparing Clocks, John Wiley, Hoboken, NJ, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=915305
(Accessed October 18, 2025)
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Measuring Time and Comparing Clocks
Published
Author(s)
Abstract
I will discuss methods of comparing and synchronizing clocks and the procedure of characterizing their performance in terms of the two-sample Allan variance. I will describe methods that are used when the device under test and the reference device are in the same facility and when they are at different locations linked by a communications channel. The reference device can be a national time scale, and I will briefly describe how national time scales are defined. In each case I will use the Allan variance as a tool to understand the characteristics and limitations of the various methods. I will also introduce the concepts of traceability and of a cost-benefit analysis into the synchronization procedure.Citation
Handbook of Measurement in Science and Engineering
Volume
Ch. 59
Publisher Info
John Wiley, Hoboken, NJ
Pub Type
Books
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Keywords
Allan Variance, Common-View, GPS Satellites, Network Time Protocol, Time and Frequency Distribution
Citation
Issues
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Created April 1, 2016, Updated February 19, 2017