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 14, 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
Download Paper
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