High-precision multi-node clock network distribution.

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Metrology
• Telecommunications Engineering

Background:

• Accurate time synchronization is crucial for modern scientific research and communication networks.
• Existing fiber optic networks present challenges for high-precision time transfer over long distances.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate a high-precision multi-node clock network for time synchronization using a 120 km fiber link.
• To evaluate the performance of the network in terms of frequency and time instability.

Main Methods:

• A star-shaped network topology was employed for clock signal distribution.
• A hydrogen maser, synchronized to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), served as the primary frequency standard.
• The clock signal was transmitted and recovered over a 120 km telecommunication fiber link.
• The synchronized clock signal was distributed to four sub-stations.

Main Results:

• The network successfully achieved precise frequency transmission and time synchronization over the 120 km fiber.
• Fractional frequency instability at all sub-stations was measured at the 10^-15 level per second.
• Clock offset instability was found to be in the sub-picosecond root-mean-square average.

Conclusions:

• The developed multi-node clock network demonstrates the feasibility of high-precision time synchronization over long-haul fiber optic links.
• The achieved instability levels meet the stringent requirements for advanced scientific and technological applications.
• The star-shaped topology offers a practical solution for distributing precise time signals to multiple users.