Timing
Distribution
System (TDS)
Menlo Systems’ Timing Distribution andSynchronization System (TDS) is a solution for the distribution of stable opticalfrequencies and for the maintenanceof synchronization and timing in large
scale facilities.
The system is fully integrated and remote controllable. A mode locked laser
is used as the Optical Master Oscillator(OMO) which is synchronized to a lownoise RF oscillator or a cavity stabilized
CW laser, to obtain optimum phasenoise performance both close to and far
away from the carrier. The signal fromthe laser is amplified using our Source
Distribution Amplifier (SDA), and split up
using our fully in-fiber design SplitterBox (SPBox) into the required numberof ports. The pulsed, stable laser signal
is then distributed across the facility using our Stabilized Fiber Links (SFL) to
remotely synchronize lasers or RF systems with unprecedented overall precision and stability. Optionally, a drift-free
a Pulse-Per-Second (PPS) signal is offered at each system backend with
programmable frequency and delay.
With all components such as the lasersystem, optics parts, electronics, andRF generation manufactured by MenloSystems the TDS is an all-from-one
solution allowing close interaction between user and manufacturer for fastand efficient system integration.

A p p l i c at i o n s
Timing distribution for
free electron lasers
synchrotron beam lines
radio telescope arrays
particle acceleratorslaser research centerslaser amplifier chains

Timing Distribution System (TDS)

S p e c i f i c at i o n s :Parameter

M E A S U R E M E NT DATA :Value

Comment

Added timing jitter (short term)*<4 fs

integrated, [0.1 Hz, 500 kHz]

Added timing drift*<10 fsRMS over 8 hours

Fiber link length<400 mFiber links per TDS platform

up to 7

Output type at backend

optical and RF

Optical power per client>10 mW

Optical wavelength

1560 nm

Design pulse repetition rate

50 - 250 MHz

Dimensions of one TDS platform enclosure

1156 x 986 x 182 mm

Drift-free pulse-per-second (PPS) distribution

optional

PPS output at system´s backend with programmablefrequency and delay; two independent channels

RF signal outputs at backend**

optional

low-noise RF signals at 5, 10 and 100 MHz; phasecoherent to the optical pulses

GHz-signal extraction at backend**

optional

low-noise, low-drift RF signal with frequency in therange of 1 - 6 GHz

Ambient temperature requirement

20 – 25 °C

Ambient temperature variation requirement±1 °C

for full specifications

System control electronics

included

19” rack housing

Length of connector cables to optical units

max. 6 m

Integrated feedback

includedControl system interfaces

USB/RS232

Auto lockincluded

Ambient temperature requirement

15 – 25 °C

Ambient temperature variation requirement±1 °C

Out-of-loop long term timing drift between two stabilized fiber links, measured below 1 Hz:

Optical Unit

upgradable anytime to 14

to be specified prior to system order
3

SYSTEM ELECTRONICS*Stability and drift determination in-house and on user site** Please contact us for further details

SYNCRO-RRE for locking of the OMO to the RFreferencefor full specifications

Out-of-loop timing jitter power spectral density (PSD) and integrated timing jitter between two stabilized fiber links,
measured from 0.5 MHz to 0.2 Hz:

Menlo Systems GmbHAm Klopferspitz 19aD-82152 Martinsried
Germany
T+49 89 189 166 0
F+49 89 189 166 111sales@menlosystems.com

www.menlosystems.com

Menlo Systems, Inc.
56 Sparta Avenue
Newton, NJ07860
USA
T+1 973 300 4490
F+1 973 300 3600
ussales@menlosystems.com

Thorlabs, Inc.
56 Sparta Avenue
Newton, NJ 07860
USA
T+1 973 579 7227
F+1 973 300 3600
sales@thorlabs.com

D-TDS-EN 13/01/18