Fiber-based joint time and frequency dissemination via star-shaped commercial telecommunication network

A fiber-based, star-shaped joint time and frequency dissemination scheme is demonstrated. By working in cooperation with the existing commercial telecommunication network. Our scheme enables the frequency, time, and digital data networks to be integrated together and could represent an ideal option of interconnection among scientific institutions.The compensation functions of the time and frequency transfer scheme are set at the client nodes. The complexity of the central node is thus reduced, and future expansion by the addition of further branches will be accomplished more easily.During a performance test in which the ambient temperature fluctuation is 30℃/day, timing signal dissemination stability is achieved to be approximately ±50 ps along 25-km-long fiber spools. After calibration, a timing signal synchronization accuracy of 100 ps is also realized. The proposed scheme offers an option of the construction of large-scale fiber-based frequency and time transfer networks.     

基于1085 km实地光纤链路的双波长光纤时间同步研究

在长距离高精度光纤时间同步系统中,为了减少后向反射光与光纤色散对传输精度的影响,本文在双波长光纤时间同步传输方法之上,提出了一种具有色散误差修正功能的双波长光纤时间同步传输方法.以自行研制的工程样机在长度约为800 km的实验室光纤链路上和1085 km的实地光纤链路上进行了实验测试,也是国内首次实现千公里级实地光纤时间同步传输.在实验室光纤链路上,测得传输链路色散补偿后的色散时延误差为10 ps,时间同步标准差为5.7 ps,稳定度为1.12 ps@105 s,不确定度为18.4 ps.在实地光纤链路上,测得传输链路色散补偿后的色散时延误差为60 ps,时间同步标准差为18 ps,稳定度为5.4 ps@4×10⁴ s,不确定度为63.5 ps.     

长距离多站点高精度光纤时间同步

为了保证长距离多站点间的高精度时间同步,在利用双向时间比对法实现高精度长距离时间同步的基础上,提出了一种利用一个波长信道同时对1 PPS(pluse per second)信号、时码信号以及10 MHz信号进行传递,并使用时分多址和净化再生的方式实现多站点高精度光纤时间同步的方法.以自行研制的工程样机在长度约550 km的实验室光纤链路以及871.6 km的实地光纤链路上进行了实验验证.在实验室光纤链路上,同时在50,300,550 km处测量得到的时间同步标准差分别为16.7,16.8,18.4 ps,时间稳定度分别为1.78 ps@1000 s,2.09 ps@1000 s,2.92 ps@1000 s.在实地光纤链路上,实现了光纤链路沿途11个站点的时间同步,测得871.6 km传递链路的时间同步标准差为29.8 ps,时间稳定度为3.85 ps@1000 s,不确定度为25.4 ps.     

高精度光链路授时时延估算

授时系统中信号单程传输时延的估算直接影响到授时的精度, 环路时延测试是估算单程传输时延的方法之一。在光缆授时系统中光纤的色散特性将导致不同波长光信号在同一光链路中的传输时延存在差异, 基于G.652光纤的色散特性, 提出的时延差精确估算方法, 能够得到这种传输时延的差异。仿真显示来回链路工作波长在1.55 μm附近时, 此方法能够很好地补偿时延差, 从而精确估算信号传输时延。     

Joint transfer of time and frequency signals and multi-point synchronization via fiber network

A system of jointly transferring time signals with a rate of 1 pulse per second(PPS) and frequency signals of 10 MHz via a dense wavelength division multiplex-based(DWDM) fiber is demonstrated in this paper.The noises of the fiber links are suppressed and compensated for by a controlled fiber delay line.A method of calibrating and characterizing time is described.The 1PPS is synchronized by feed-forward calibrating the fiber delays precisely.The system is experimentally examined via a 110 km spooled fiber in laboratory.The frequency stabilities of the user end with compensation are1.8×10~(-14) at 1 s and 2.0×10~(-17) at 10~4 s average time.The calculated uncertainty of time synchronization is 13.1 ps,whereas the direct measurement of the uncertainty is 12 ps.Next,the frequency and 1PPS are transferred via a metropolitan area optical fiber network from one central site to two remote sites with distances of 14 km and 110 km.The frequency stabilities of 14 km link reach 3.0×10~(-14) averaged in 1 s and 1.4×10~(-17) in 10~4 s respectively;and the stabilities of 110 km link are 8.3×10~(-14) and 1.7×10~(-17),respectively.The accuracies of synchronization are estimated to be 12.3 ps for the14 km link and 13.1 ps for the 110 km link,respectively.     

Multiple-element photonic microwave true-time-delay beamforming incorporating a tunable chirped fiber Bragg grating with symmetrical bending technique

We experimentally demonstrate a novel scheme for a multiple-element photonic microwave true-time-delay device with high tunability based on a tunable chirped fiber Bragg grating without center wavelength shift. We achieve the different true time delay by controlling the grating period of a chirped fiber Bragg grating based on the symmetrical bending technique as a multiwavelength signal source is applied to carry microwave signals. The proposed method does not require the complex structure of systems, wavelength tuning, and synchronization of optical devices such as tunable bandpass filters and optical input signals. We achieve the tunabilty of the time delay for a microwave signal carried over an optical signal in a range from 1 to 230 ps.     

Simultaneous remote transfer of accurate timing and optical frequency over a public fiber network

In this work, we demonstrate for the first time that it is possible to transfer simultaneously an ultra-stable optical frequency and precise and accurate timing over 540 km using a public telecommunication optical fiber network with Internet data. The optical phase is used to carry both the frequency information and the timestamps by modulating a very narrow optical carrier at 1.55 μm with spread spectrum signals using two-way satellite time transfer modems. The results in terms of absolute time accuracy (250 ps) and long-term timing stability (20 ps) well outperform the conventional Global Navigation Satellite System or geostationary transfer methods.     

Thermally tuned optical fiber for true time delay generation

A new technique for generating a continuous range of true time delay values is introduced. Heating optical fiber in order to change the effective index of the guided mode produces time delays. A 45-m section of single-mode silica fiber is demonstrated to produce a continuous range of time delay values from 0 to 211 ps over a temperature tuning range of 50°C (30–80°C). A thermal time delay factor is introduced and found to be 0.096 ps/m°C for Corning LEAF fiber. A 7.66-m section of multimode Lucina polymer fiber is demonstrated to produce a range of time delay values from 0 to 32 ps over a temperature tuning range of 30°C (30–60°C). The thermal time delay factor for this fiber is −0.1427 ps/m°C.     

Dual-ring 16-Star QAM direct and coherent detection in 100 Gb/s optically amplified fiber transmission: simulation

This paper presents the transmission performances, by simulation, of optical communication systems over 10 spans of dispersion compensated and optically amplified fiber distance with a bit rate of 100 Gb/s, by employing modulation formats of two amplitude levels and 8 phase states per amplitude level, the 2R-16-Star QAM constellation under direct and coherent detection with and without phase estimation. Different ring ratios of the amplitude levels are examined and associate transmission performances are reported. Optical signal to noise ratio is achieved with 18 dB and 23 dB for back to back and long haul transmission cases with a dispersion tolerance of  ±67 ps/nm at 2 dB power penalty of the eye opening at 100 Gb/s. Monte–Carlo simulation is also performed and a receiver sensitivity of  − 15 dBm is achieved for a BER of 10⁻⁵under direct detection after 1100 km of dispersion-compensated and optically amplified transmission. Transmission performances, bit error rate versus receiver sensitivity, are also confirmed with the use of the eye diagram and associate multiple-peaks statistical spectral density distribution. For 100 Gb/s 2R-16-Star QAM coherent transmission, an improvement of the receiver sensitivity of 2.5 dB and 3.5 dB is obtained for coherent detection without phase estimation and respectively. Under coherent detection with phase estimation, the chromatic dispersion tolerance reaches  ±100 ps/nm for a 2 dB eye opening penalty at 100 Gb/s bit rate. Comparative studies of the transmission performances of the Star and Square QAM modulation formats are also conducted under the fiber linear and nonlinear effects and detection with and without phase estimation.     

200 km沙漠链路高精度光纤时频传递关键技术研究

针对沙漠环境实地链路存在的温度变化大、室外风力、地表振动等多种复杂噪声来源,通过对系统反馈补偿带宽、反馈补偿强度、光功率等时频传递系统关键参数的优化配置,研究了不同反馈补偿参数下复杂链路噪声的有效抑制技术.全链路的频率传递稳定度8×10~(-14)@1s,1×10~(-16)@1000 s,千秒尺度下时间信号传递的时间方差仅为1.2 ps.实现了氢钟信号在200 km量级沙漠环境实地链路的无损传输.该验证实验在基于短基线干涉测量的卫星测轨系统中发挥了重要作用.     

中国散裂中子源反角白光中子源T0信号的精确扇出方法

反角白光中子源位于中国散裂中子源(CSNS),是以不同中子能量下的核数据测量为目标的大型物理实验装置,中子的能量是通过中子飞行时间(TOF)来获取的.实验中,将质子束流轰击钨靶的时刻作为TOF的起始时刻(T0),相应的电子学信号被用于触发整个电子学系统的运行.为了保证TOF测量的准确性和电子学系统各通道采集的同步性,需...     

Wideband delays generated in an all-optical tunable delay line,preserving signal wavelength and bandwidth

A novel technique to produce large all-optically controlled tunable delays of 100 ps pulse train in optical fibers is demonstrated. The configuration of the delay line basically consists of two main stages: the wavelength conversion via semiconductor optical amplifiers and the group velocity delaying via a dispersive optical medium. The wavelength-converted signal was precisely delayed over a wide temporal range from picoseconds to nanoseconds using a dispersive fiber, preserving the wavelength and the bandwidth of the signal. 100 ps FWHM signal pulses were delayed continuously up to 14 ns with moderate pulse distortion, corresponding to a 140-bit delay. To cite this article: L. Thévenaz, S. Chin, C. R. Physique 10 (2009).     

基于光纤四波混频波长转换和色散的慢光实验研究

对基于光纤四波混频（FWM）波长转换和色散的慢光实现进行了详细和系统的实验研究.首先,实验测定了高非线性光纤中FWM带宽约为40 nm,从而确定了慢光的可调谐带宽;接着,在普通单模光纤和色散补偿光纤（DCF）中针对500 MHz正弦信号和100 ps短脉冲信号分别实现了34和198 ns的脉冲延迟,在DCF中还实现了209 ns的脉冲提前.讨论了增大延迟量的方法,指出随着宽带FWM波长转换的实现和大色散光纤的应用有望获得微秒量级的大延迟量,从而为高性能光纤延迟线和全光缓存器等应用提供支持. 关键词： 慢光 四波混频 色散     

XFEL飞秒同步与定时系统中光纤长度变化的数字化监测(英)

分析了X射线自由电子激光装置对飞秒同步定时系统的技术需求。系统中采用光纤来传输定时/相位信息。而光纤的光长度会随温度的慢漂而改变,因此通过对比实验研究了温度慢漂对光纤长度变化的影响。研制了基于现场可编程门阵列（FPGA）的数字化相位和幅度检测器对光纤长度变化进行数据监测。百米光纤在典型昼夜温差下导致的时间延迟约6 ps。结果显示此数字化相位和幅度检测器可以用于飞秒同步定时系统的长度变化监测和稳定控制系统当中。     

Modeling of cascaded high isolation bidirectional amplification in long-distance fiber-optic time and frequency synchronization system

We propose a physical model of estimating noise and asymmetry brought by high isolation Bi-directional erbiumdoped fiber amplifiers(Bi-EDFAs), no spontaneous lasing even with high gain, in longdistance fiber-optic time and frequency(T/F) synchronization system. It is found that the Rayleigh scattering noise can be suppressed due to the high isolation design, but the amplified spontaneous emission(ASE) noise generated by the high isolation Bi-EDFA and the bidirectional asymmetry of the transmission link caused by the high isolation Bi-EDFA will deteriorate the stability of the system.The calculated results show that under the influence of ASE noise, the frequency instability of a 1200 km system composed of 15 high isolation Bi-EDFAs is 1.773 × 10-13/1 s. And the instability caused by asymmetry is 2.6064 × 10-16/30000–35000 s if the total asymmetric length of the bidirectional link length is 30 m. The intensity noises originating from the laser and detector, the transfer delay fluctuations caused by the variation in ambient temperature and the jitter in laser output wavelength are also studied. The experiment composed of three high isolation Bi-EDFAs is done to confirm the theoretical analysis. In summary, the paper shows that the short-term instability of the T/F synchronization system composed of high isolation Bi-EDFAs is limited by the accumulation of ASE noise of amplifiers and the laser frequency drift, while the long-term instability is limited by the periodic variation in ambient temperature and the asymmetry of the amplifiers.The research results are useful for pointing out the direction to improve the stability of the fiber-optic T/F synchronization system.     

基于光学-微波同步的低噪声微波产生方法

低噪声微波在冷原子光钟、光子雷达、大科学装置远程同步等领域具有重要的应用价值.本文介绍了一种基于光学-微波相位探测技术的低噪声微波产生方案,利用光纤环路光学-微波鉴相器,将超稳激光的频率稳定度相干传递至介质振荡器.实验采用梳齿相位参考至超稳激光的窄线宽掺铒光纤飞秒光学频率梳,结合光纤环路光学-微波鉴相器和精密锁相装置,将7 GHz介质振荡器同步至光频梳重复频率的高次谐波,同步后的光脉冲序列与微波信号的剩余相位噪声为–100 d Bc/Hz@1 Hz,定时抖动为8.6 fs [1 Hz—1.5 MHz];通过搭建两套低噪声微波产生系统,测得7 GHz微波的剩余相位噪声为–90 d Bc/Hz@1 Hz,对应的频率稳定度为4.8×10^–15@1 s.该研究结果对基于光学相干分频的低噪声微波产生提供了一种新思路.     

Fiber-based multiple-access frequency synchronization via 1f–2f dissemination

Considering the reference frequency dissemination requirements of the Square Kilometre Array telescope(SKA)project,on the basis of the 1f–2f precision frequency synchronization scheme,we propose and demonstrate a fiber-based multiple-access frequency synchronization scheme.The dissemination reference frequency can be recovered at arbitrary nodes along the entire fiber link.It can be applied to antennas close proximity to the SKA central station,and will lead to a better SKA frequency synchronization network.As a performance test,we recover the disseminated 100-MHz reference frequency at an arbitrary node chosen as being 5 km away from the transmitting site.Relative frequency stabilities of2.0×10~(-14)/s and 1.6×10~(-16)/10~4 s are obtained.We also experimentally verify the feasibility of a frequency dissemination link with three access points.     

Using single wavelength light to improve the synchronization accuracy of the White Rabbit system

We demonstrate a new synchronization method for the White Rabbit system. Signals are transmitted in a single mode fiber in both directions with the same light wavelength. Without the complex calibration process of the fiber asymmetry parameter, the new method reduces the effect of chromatic dispersion and improves the synchronization accuracy. The experiment achieves timing synchronization accuracy below 200 ps over 50 km fiber constructed by different companies' fiber spools. The proposed method would make White Rabbit technology immune to the chromatic dispersion of fiber links and can be applied to long distance synchronization.     

Synchronization of Fourier-Synthesized Optical Pulses to a Mode-Locked Optical Clock

A Fourier-synthesized 40-GHz optical pulse train was successfully synchronized to an 8-GHz optical clock generated from a mode-locked fiber ring laser. The measured timing jitter of the synchronization was 0.43 ps.     

分布式测试系统时间同步技术的研究

分布式测试系统是集计算机控制技术、网络通信技术与多传感器信息融合技术于一体的复杂测控系统;与独立测试系统不同,在网络化分布式测试系统中,各测试装置需按通信协议与网关节点通信以完成相应的测试;不同测试装置在接收网关节点发出的信号时,由于传输距离不同会引起时延差;如果系统中的各个测试装置不具备统一的时间基准,那么得到的测试数据因为时钟差异将无法反映出信息的真实情况;因此,整个网络中所有测试装置需要保持时间同步;针对分布式测试系统时间同步的需求,对信号传输过程中的时延问题进行了研究,提出了一种基于FPGA的时延测量方法,对这种软硬件结合时延测量方法的实现原理进行了详细阐述,并进行了功能仿真及试验验证。