Accurate, Stable Clock for Small Low Power Anti-Jam GPS User Equipment

Precision timekeeping is an essential enabling tool for all modern navigation, digital data transmission and telecommunications networks. In particular; rapid direct acquisition of the GPS Y-code in the presence of deliberate jamming is important for a wide variety of weapon systems. Legacy atomic clock solutions are too large and consume too much power to be routinely integrated into stressful environments such as an embedded GPS/Inertial (EGI) Navigation system. In Phase I, a feasibility model of a compact, low-power rubidium frequency standard, based on Coherent Population Trapping technology, specifically intended for incorporation to a GPS Receiver was demonstrated. The Low-Power Precision Time Source (LPPTS) integrated the core Kernco CPT Clock with an interface assembly which provides time-of-day, 1 PPS synchronization and stabilized GPS local oscillator frequency capabilities to the GPS receiver. Phase II is a continuation of the LPPTS program to develop a ruggedized preproduction model, suitable for full-scale evaluation in the airborne environment. The GPS Receiver interface will be integrated into the core clock to further reduce the envelope size and decrease power consumption. At least two units will be subject to a full qualification test cycle, followed by the preproduction units which will be acceptance tested prior to delivery.