Patent ID: 6710663
Filing Date: 2004-03-23
Classification: H03L

Abstract:
A rubidium frequency standard with a temperature compensated output signal said rubidium frequency standard comprising:a voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO) for providing the temperature compensated output signal; a frequency synthesizer for receiving the output signal from the VCXO as a reference and providing a RF signal; a physics package for receiving the RF signal from the frequency synthesizer and for providing a light output signal with a null indicating when the RF signal is such that a transition frequency of rubidium is obtained within said physics package; a temperature sensor for sensing temperature and providing a temperature signal; and a microcontroller for receiving the light output signal, generating a control word for the frequency synthesizer, receiving the temperature signal, and providing an error signal to the VCXO to lock the VCXO to the physics package said microcontroller using the temperature signal to look up a frequency error in a memory to offset said synthesizer control word and adjusting said VCXO frequency to compensate for temperature.