[time-nuts] Using Thunderbolt to Discipline FE 5680A?

Arthur Dent golgarfrincham at yahoo.com
Thu Dec 22 18:39:52 UTC 2011


Although it isn't using the 5680A Rb that is cheaper, perhaps the 
Datum/Summetricom X72 Rb oscillator would be a much better 
unit to try to disipline. I'm going to try that scheme with one of my 
X72 oscillators. You could use the 1PPS output an unmodified 
T-bolt or any GPS timing receiver, like one of the inexpensive 
Motorola units, to control the X72, which is very simple. Below is 
an except from the X72 manual. I also have an older Datum 9390 
that came with a Rb for the oscillator that works quite well, except 
for the week 1024 date display problem.  
-Arthur

"X72 qualifies 1 pulse per second inputs by analyzing the time difference 
between the X72’s 1PPS output and the external 1PPS input. This is 
referred to as the HoldOver state. The X72 determines whether the 1PPS 
input is useable by calculating the rate of change in timing measurements 
that are taken once per second.

Once a 1PPS input is qualified, the X72 1PPS algorithm determines if it is
necessary to adjust the counter that produces the 1PPS output (JamSynch 
state). The algorithm then begins to adjust the output frequency of the X72 
to keep the 1PPS output aligned with the 1PPs input. This is the disciplining 
state and the control method is a Proportional Integral Derivatives (PID) 
scheme. 

The amount of frequency change and the length of time required to 
reach 1PPS accuracy can be adjusted by setting y1 (damping factor) and y2 
(time constant) parameters. During this disciplining state, the timing of each 
1PPS input is compared to the expected value. If the offset exceeds 333 
nanoseconds, the algorithm changes to the HoldOver state and the process 
begins again." 


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