No. 385 December 1989

(NISTIR 89-3910-12)

National

Institute of

Standards &

Technology
• -‘v

r 

" v

r
NIST TIME & FREQUENCY BULLETIN

(Supersedes No. 384 November 1989)

NO. 385 DECEMBER 1989

1. GENERAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION 1

2. TIME SCALE INFORMATION 1

International Timing Center comparisons via GPS common-view 2

3. UT1 CORRECTIONS AND LEAP SECOND ADJUSTMENTS 2

4. PHASE DEVIATIONS FOR WWVB AND LORAN-C 3

5. GOES TIME CODE INFORMATION 4

6. BROADCAST OUTAGES OVER FIVE MINUTES AND WWVB PHASE PERTURBATIONS .... 4

7. NOTES ON NIST TIME SCALES AND PRIMARY STANDARDS 5

8. SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS 7

This bulletin is published monthly. Address correspondence to:

Gwen E. Bennett, Editor

Time and Frequency Division

National Institute of Standards & Technology

325 Broadway

Boulder, CO 80303

(303) 497-3295

NOTE TO SUBSCRIBERS: Please include your address label (or a copy)

with any correspondence regarding this bulletin.
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED IN THIS BULLETIN

APL

BIH

CCIR - CRL

Cs

CSIRO - GOES -

John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

International Time Bureau, France

International Radio Consultative Committee

Communications Research Laboratories, Japan

Cesium standard

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Australia

Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite

GPS - Global Positioning System

IEN - National Institute of Electronics, Italy

INPL - National Physical Laboratory, Israel

LORAN - Long Range Navigation

MC - Master Clock

MJD - Modified Julian Date

NIST - National Institute of Standards & Technology

NPL - National Physical Laboratory, England

NRC - National Research Council, Canada

NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

OP - Paris Observatory, France

PTB - Physical Technical Federal Laboratory, Germany

SI - International System of Units ns nanosecond

SV - Space vehicle us - microsecond

TA - Atomic Time ms millisecond

TAI - International Atomic Time s second

TAO - Tokyo Astronomical Observatory, Japan min - minute

TUG - Technical University of Graz, Austria h hour

USNO - United States Naval Observatory d day

UTC - Coordinated Universal Time

VLF - very low frequency

VSL * Van Swinden Laboratory, Netherlands

2. TIME SCALE INFORMATION

The values listed below are based on data from the BIH, the USNO, and the NIST. The UTC — UTC(NIST) values are extrapolations since UTC is computed more than two months after the fact. The UTC(USNO,MC) - UTC(NIST) values

are averaged measurements from NAVSTAR satellites 3,4,6, and 8 (see references on page 6).

OOOO HOURS COORDINATED UNIVERSAL TIME

NOVEMBER

1989 MJD

UT1 - UTC(NIST)

(± 5 ms)

UTC - UTC(NIST)

(± 0.2 ms

)

UTC ( USNO, MC) - UTC(NIST)

(t 0.04 us)

2 47832 -551 ms -0.1 us 0.71 us

9 47839 -565 ms -0.1 us 0.72 us

16 47846 -581 ms 0.0 us 0.75 us

23 47853 -596 ms 0.0 us 0.76 us

30 47860 -611 ms 0.0 us 0.81 us

-

1 -
INTERNATIONAL TIMING CENTER COMPARISONS VIA GPS COMMON-VIEW

The table below is a weighted average of the ; a time difference of Timing Center (i) - UTC(NIST)by the

^

33 transfer standards to measure the

6). The day-to-day variations of this technique are a flw n approach (see references, page

time of the measurement is interpolated to 0000 UTC for /h

nanoseco

? ds and tha accuracy is about 10 ns. The

prepared for the BIPM for the computation o Id UTC

^

in 9 * TheSe data «•

noted. iAi and of UTC. All differential delays are 0 unless otherwise

UTC(i) - UTC (NIST) U77

u

' TC(l * sv NUMBERS 47829

UTC(APL) - UTC(NIST)

UTC(CRL) - UTC (NIST)

UTC(CSIRO) - UTC (NIST)

UTC(IEN) - UTC(NIST)

UTC(NPL) - UTC(NIST)

UTC(NRC) - UTC(NIST)+++

UTC(OP) - UTC(NIST)

UTC(PTB) - UTC (NIST)

UTC(TAO) - UTC(NIST)

UTC (TUG) - UTC (NIST)

UTC(USNO,MC) - UTC(NIST)

UTC(VSL) - UTC(NIST)

47839

3,6,9,11,12,13,14

6, 12 14

++

11,12,13,14

3. 11,12,13,14

3,6,9,11,12,13,14

3, 11,12,13

11

6, 14

3, 11,12,13,14

3,6,9,11,12,13

3, 11,12,13,14

30+

752+

23340+

-187+

1593

15513

-18

-3945

4319

-3132

699

-2094

MJD

47849 47859

Bulletin

10 20 It

770 797 820

23440 23614 23729

-88 39 168

1758 1958 2109

15643 15780 15878

-44 -9 69

-3884 -3834 -3798

4422 4529 4641

-3317 -3483 -3683

720 762 803

-2058 -2065 -2017

this station is not included in i ++ UTC(CSIRO) - UTC^IST*) ^

r ° m those printed in last month's Bulletin +++ TM

C) ' UTC(NIST) has a 'differential TelyTfTl • (0) \

7 nS> 311 other comparisons are computed use in zero

lf APL is missing data for MJD 47859.

3. UT1 CORRECTIONS AND LEAP SECOND ADJUSTMENTS

The master clock pulses used bv the WWV wuvu uiwn . LTC(NIST) time scale. Occasionally, 1 second' is added/o the UTC;

6 /

0

^

transmiss ions are referenced to the

second. Its purpose is to keep the UTC time scale within + O

9^ ThiS second is called a leap changes slightly due to variations in the rotation of the earth/

° f ^ UT1 astronomical time scale, which

MC timescale

June^Sl-lSSJ

0

30

°*TM

JoL^’ inserted in ^e

future leap seconds are scheduled, advance notice will be provided ’in tM»*bin«in

DeCember '

St ^'i^neTth: DUT^correction^ ’dUH * °' 9 •• Th. current value of

Panted below, These correettons may be added

are broadcast^, ^

^nd^OES and are

DUT1 = UT1 - UTC

= ~n'l

3 ^

ginnin8 0000 UTC 21 September 1989 iL = -0.6 s beginning 0000 UTC 16 November 1989

= +of

3 the

b ^in

nin8 T

UTC ° n 1 JanUary 1990 (»i«ult.neou. with insertion

A positive leap

of dates of the

at the end of December 1 989 The UTC second markers will be:

member 1989. The sequence

1989 December 31, 23h 59m 59s

1989 December 31, 23h 59m 60s

1990 January 1, Oh 0m 0s

- 2 -
A. PHASE DEVIATIONS FOR WWVB AND LORAN-C

WWVB

LORAN-C

The values shown for WWVB are the time difference between the time markers of the UTC(NIST)

time scale and the first positive-going zero voltage crossover measured at the transmitting

antenna. The uncertainty of the individual measurements is ± 0.5 us. The values listed are

for 1500 UTC

.

The values shown for Loran-C represent the daily accumulated phase shift (in microseconds).

The phase shift is measured by comparing the output of a Loran receiver to the UTC(NIST) time

scale for a period of 24 hours. If data were not recorded on a particular day, the symbol

(-) is printed.

The stations monitored are Dana, Indiana (8970 M) and Fallon, Nevada (9940 M). The

monitoring is done from the NIST laboratories in Boulder, Colorado.

UTC(NIST) - LORAN PHASE (in us)

UTC(NIST) - WWVB( 60 kHz)

DATE MJD

ANTENNA PHASE

(us)

LORAN-C (DANA)

(8970 M)

LORAN-C (FALLON)

(9940 M)

11/01/89 47831 5.65 -0.12 -0.06

11/02/89 47832 5.66 +0.01 (-)

11/03/89 47833 5.64 -0.23 -0.06

11/04/89 47834 5.64 +0.17 +0.04

11/05/89 47835 5.63 +0.18 +0.04

11/06/89 47836 5.62 +0.02 -0.01

11/07/89 47837 5.69 -0.05 +0.02

11/08/89 47838 5.69 (-) -0.11

11/09/89 47839 5.66 -0.31 -0.06

11/10/89 47840 5.66 +0.35 -0.05

11/11/89 47841 5.65 -0.09 +0.05

11/12/89 47842 5.65 +0.45 +0.22

11/13/89 47843 5.65 -0.43 -0.22

11/14/89 47844 5.65 +0.43 +0.13

11/15/89 47845 5.62 +0.55 -0.19

11/16/89 47846 5.73 +0.29 +0.42

11/17/89 47847 5.68 -0.51 -0.16

11/18/89 47848 5.68 +0.08 +0.06

11/19/89 47849 5.68 +0.02 +0.18

11/20/89 47850 5.68 +0.37 +0.02

11/21/89 47851 5.69 -0.10 -0.28

11/22/89 47852 5.68 -0.00 +0.21

11/23/89 47853 5.69 +0.08 +0.08

11/24/89 47854 5.70 -0.29 -0.07

11/25/89 47855 5.70 +0.17 +0.12

11/26/89 47856 5.69 +0.14 -0.13

11/27/89 47857 5.69 -0.38 -0.43

11/28/89 47858 5.70 +0.14 +0.07

11/29/89 47859 5.62 -0.44 +0.11

11/30/89 47860 5.69 +0.11 +0.04
5. GOES TIME CODE INFORMATION

A. TIME CODE PERFORMANCE (1-30 November 1989)

GOES /East : Performance within normal limits during this period. The peak-to-peak diurnal variations of

the time code (corrected for satellite position) were larger- than-normal , however, during some periods of

this month.

GOES/WestPerformance within normal limits during this period.

B. SPECIAL REMINDER: Current satellite locations are 65° West longitude for GOES/East and 135° West

longitude for GOES/West.

C. GOES STATUS REPORTS

A brief message from the NIST giving current GOES time code status information is available from the U.S.

Naval Observatory's Automated Data Service computer system in Washington, DC. The message may be accessed

24 hours per day without charge by using a variety of terminals operating at 300, 1200, or 2400 Baud and even parity. Two different sets of telephone access numbers are available: (1) for 300 or 1200 Baud and

the Bell 103 standard use (202) 653-1079 (commercial), 653-1079 (FTS), or 294-1079 (Autovon); (2) for 1200 or 2400 Baud with either the CCITT V.22 standard or the Bell standard use (202) 653-1783 (commercial),

653-1783 (FTS), or 294-1783 (Autovon). To receive the GOES status message, use the following procedure:

1. Access the USNO computer database by dialing one of the appropriate telephone numbers above;

2. In response to the prompt for identification, type your name and the name of your organization,

followed by a carriage return;

3. Type "0NBSGO" followed by a carriage return to receive the status message at your terminal;

4. Disconnect by typing Control-D.

6. BROADCAST OUTAGES OVER 5 MINUTES AND WWVB PHASE PERTURBATIONS

OUTAGES PHASE PERTURBATIONS WWVB 60 kHz

NOVEMBER BEGAN ENDED NOVEMBER BEGAN ENDED

STATION 1989 MJD (UTC

(UTC) FREQUENCY 1989 MJD (UTC) (UTC)

WWVB NONE NONE

WWV NONE NONE

WWVH NONE NONE

- 4 -
7. NOTES ON NIST TIME SCALES AND PRIMARY STANDARDS

The frequencies of the time scales, TA(NIST) and UTC(NIST), are calibrated with the NIST primary frequency

standards . The UTC(NIST) scale is coordinated within a microsecond of the internationally coordinated time

scale, UTC, generated at the BIH. It is used to control all of the NIST time and frequency services. The last

calibration of the relative frequency offset, y, of UTC(NIST) as generated in Boulder, Colorado, gave:

1) yuTC(NIST) ( Jui V I 987 ) “ yNBS-6 ( Jul y 1987 ) * (-0.6 ±2(1 sigma)) x 10" 13

for the date shown. This calibration includes a correction for the systematic offset due to room temperature

blackbody radiation, which is approximately (delta y BB ) = -1.7 x 10' l2t

. Using GPS 1

, the frequency of TAI for

the dates shown were measured to be:

2) yTA j (July 1987) - yNBS _6 ( Jul y 1987 on geoid) = (+1.7 +2(1 sigma)) x

10‘

where account has been taken of the gravitational "red shift."

Starting 1 January 1975, an accuracy algorithm was implemented to bring the second used in the generation of

TA(NIST) closer to the NIST "best estimate" of the SI second (see references, p.6). The relative frequency

associated with this "best estimate" is denoted ycs(NIST)‘ The last calibration (July 1987) covered the period

from October 1986 through July 1987.

3 ) yCs(NIST) ~ yNBS-6 = (+ 1 - 4 ± 2) x 10' 13 (July 1987)

and ^ yTAI — yCs(NIST) on geoid “ ± 0.7) x 10 (July 1987)

This algorithm should provide nearly optimum accuracy and stability for TA(NIST) since it uses all past

frequency calibrations with the NIST primary standards. These calibrations are weighted proportionately to the

frequency memory of the clock ensemble that generates atomic time. This algorithm, therefore, capitalizes on a weighted combination of all the frequency calibrations with the primary standards in order to gain a "best

estimate" of the SI Second while simultaneously obtaining the best uniformity available from the ensemble of

working clocks in the atomic time scale system. The relative frequency of TA(NIST) is steered toward ycs(NIST)

by slight frequency drift corrections of the order of 1 part in 10 13 /yr.

TA(NIST) and UTC(NIST) are no longer simply related by an equation. TA(NIST) is now computed each month using

a Kalman algorithm which minimizes the mean square time dispersion. UTC(NIST) is now independently computed

using a different algorithm and is steered in frequency to keep its time within a microsecond of UTC(BIH).

Table 7.1 lists monthly values of the time difference between UTC(NIST) and TA(NIST). A linear interpolation

between monthly values will typically be within 10 ns of the actual time difference, TA(NIST) - UTC(NIST).

The primary standards of NIST (NBS-4 and NBS-6) are used in either of two modes: as calibrators of frequency to

provide a reference for the SI second; or as member clocks of the NIST clock ensemble, to help keep the proper

time for TA(NIST) and the coordinated time for UTC(NIST). Operating in the clock mode, NBS-4 and NBS-6 are only used and weighted according to their stability performance. Accuracy enters only when they are used as frequency calibrators, in which case clock operation is necessarily interrupted.

l GPS is the Global Positioning System, a network of navigation satellites.

- 5 -
Table 7.1 is a list of changes in the time scale frequencies of both TA(NIST) and UTC(NIST) as well as a list of the time and frequency differences between TA(NIST) and UTC(NIST) at the dates of leap seconds,

and/or frequency or frequency drift changes.

TABLE 7.1

FREQUENCY CHANGES

DATE (MJD) TA(NIST) UTC(NIST) TA(NIST) - UTC(NIST) y[UTC(NIST)] - y[TA(NIST)

1 Jun 88 47313 0 -1.50 ns/d 24.045 110 358 s -4.47 E- 13

1 Jul 88 47343 0 -1.60 ns/d 24.045 111 523 s -4.64 E- 13

1 Aug 88 47374 0 -0.40 ns/d 24.045 112 802 s -4.89 E- 13

1 Sep 88 47405 0 -1.00 ns/d 24.045 114 144 s -5.15 E- 13

1 Oct 88 47435 0 1.00 ns/d 24.045 114 515 s -5.15 E- 13

1 Nov 88 47466 0 1.25 ns/d 24.045 116 854 s -4.88 E- 13

1 Dec 88 47496 0 1.50 ns/d 24.045 118 088 s -4.69 E- 13

1 Jan 89 47527 0 1.50 ns/d 24.045 119 325 s -4.57 E- 13

1 Feb 89 47558 0 1.00 ns/d 24.045 120 538 s -4.51 E- 13

1 Mar 89 47586 0 -1.25 ns/d 24.045 121 622 s -4.58 E-13

1 Apr 89 47617 0 -1.50 ns/d 24.045 122 871 s -4.66 E - 1

1 May 89 47647 0 -1.50 ns/d 24.045 124 078 s -4.75 E-13

1 Jun 89 47678 0 -1.00 ns/d 24.045 125 375 s -4.92 E-13

1 Jul 89 47708 0 -1.00 ns/d 24.045 126 670 s -5.09 E-13

1 Aug 89 47739 0 -1.00 ns/d 24.045 128 060 s -5.35 E-13

l Sep 89 47770 0 -1.00 ns/d 24.045 129 538 s -5.58 E-13

1 Oct 89 47800 0 1.00 ns/d 24.045 131 001 s -5.68 E-13

i Nov 89 47831 0 1.00 ns/d 24.045 132 534 s -5.85 E-13

UTC(NIST) is steered in time toward UTC by occasional frequency changes of the order of a few nanoseccnc

per day; 1 ns/d is approximately 1.16E-14. Otherwise, v[UTC(NIST)] is maintained as stable as possible.

REFERENCES

Allan, D W. , Hellwig, H. and Glaze, D.J., "An accuracy algorithm for an atomic time scale," Metrologia,

No . 3 , pp. 133-138 (September 1975).

Glaze, D.J., Hellwig, H. , Allan, D.W. , and Jarvis, S., "NBS-4 and NBS-6: The NIST primary frequency

standards," Metrologia, Vol.13, pp. 17-28 (1977).

Wineland, D.J., Allan, D.W. , Glaze, D.J., Hellwig, H. , and Jarvis, S., "Results on limitations in primar

cesium standard operation," IEEE Trans, on Instr. and Meas., Vol.IM-25, No. 4, pp. 453-458 (December

Allan, D.W. and Weiss, M.A., "Accurate Time and Frequency Transfer During Common View of a GPS

Satellite," Proc. 34th Annual Symposium on Frequency Control, p.334 (1980).

- 6 -
8. SPECIAL AHNOUNCBflSNTS

AUTOMATED COMPUTER TIME SERVICE (ACTSj

On March 9, 1988, NIST initiated operation of a telephone time service designed to provide computers with

telephone acces^ to nIsT time at accuracies approaching 1 ms. Features of the service include automated

compensation for telephone-line delay, advanced alert for changes to and from daylight savings time an

advanced notice of insertion of leap seconds. The ASCII-character time code should operate wth standard

modems and most computer systems. While the system can be used to set computer time-of-day clocks, simple

hardware can also be developed to set other clock systems.

The test phase for this service is now complete and NIST is committed to long term operation of the

service. Additional lines will be added as use expands. NIST requests that calling times be spread out so that the system is not heavily taxed in some narrow time frame (e.g., midnight). The service telephone number

is (303) 494-4774. The number may be changed at a later date. A help message can be obtained by returning a ? during the first 6 s of transmission.

With appropriate user software, the NIST-ACTS service provides three modes for checking and/or setting

computer time-of-day clocks.

1.

In the simplest form of the (1200 Baud) service, the user receives the time code and an on-time

marker/character which has been advanced a fixed period to nominally account for modem and telephone- line

delays. Accuracy in this mode should be no worse than 0.1 s unless the connection is routed through a satellite

.

2. At 1200 Baud, if the user's system echoes all characters to NIST, the round-trip line delay will be

measured and the on-time marker advanced to compensate for that delay. The accuracy in this mode should be

better than 10 ms. Our experience to date indicates that the asymmetry in conventional, 1200-Baud modems

limits the accuracy at this level. Repeatability is about 1 ms.

3. At 300 Baud the user can obtain the same type of service as described in item 2 above, but there is

generally less problem with modem asymmetry at this rate and our experience indicates that the accuracy is

about 1 ms.

The accuracy statements here are based upon the assumption that the telephone connection is reciprocal,

that is, that both directions of communication follow the same path with the same delay. Discussions with

telephone carriers indicate that this is the general mode of operation and our tests to date indicate that the

lines are both stable and reciprocal.

In order to assist users of the service, NIST has developed documentation of the features of the service,

some example software which can be used in conjunction with certain popular personal computers and simple

circuitry which can be used to extract an on-time pulse. This material is available on a 5i-in, 360-kbyte DOS

diskette with instructions for $35.00 from the NIST Office of Standard Reference Materials, B311-Chemistry

Bldg, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, (301) 975-6776. Specify the Automated Computer Time Service, RM8101.

Further technical questions and comments should be directed to NIST-ACTS, NIST Time and Frequency Division, 325

Broadway, Boulder, CO 80303.

44TH ANNUAL FREQUENCY CONTROL SYMPOSIUM

The 44th Annual Frequency Control Symposium will be held May 23 - 25, 1990 in Baltimore, MD. This

symposium is the leading technical conference addressing all aspects of frequency control and precision

timekeeping. Authors are invited to submit papers dealing with recent progress in research, development and

applications in areas represented by the following topics:

• Fundamental properties of piezoelectric crystals

• Theory and design of piezoelectric resonators

• Resonator processing techniques

• Filters

• Surface acoustic wave devices (SAW)

• Quartz crystal oscillators

• Microwave and millimeter wave oscillators

• Signal processing and frequency control circuitry

• Atomic and molecular frequency standards

• Frequency and time coordination and distribution

• Sensors and transducers

• Applications of frequency control

• Measurement and specifications

Contact: Dr. R. L. Filler, US Army Electronics Technology and Devices Laboratory, ATTN: SLCET-EQ, Fort

Monmouth, NJ 07703-5000; (201) 544-2467.

- 7 -
> !.»>«« *l» 1 ** 1 w • tl*t e* («•*< 1 « . h •> B^ {CAT ION 0

BIBLIOGRAPHIC OATA

j SHlCTflt# »«iwi>qw«i 1

REPORT MO.

NISTIR 89-3910-12

i. i* e* t®m> .* j < % B89-0064••

i.

4. 5 ate December 1989

4. TlTLC AMO SUtTlTLf

TIjm A Pr«qu«ncy Bulletin

|. AuThOA(S)

4. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION (If joint o' other then NlS. tee IM ilfwettOMi;

national bureau op standards

department op comnerce

VASNINBTON. O.C. ID2S4

1. Contrecv'Grant No.

I. Tffo of Raeen A Peno4 Ceveree

t. SPONSORING ORGANIZATION NAME AND COMPLETE AOORESS (Street, C.t r. State. ZIP)

II. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

n Oocwmant doecnboe e computer »<o|iam, SF«tDS. PlPS Scftwarp Smiwip, U atiaOte*. II. ABSTRACT (A JOG- wo r* *r f* i • fectwef i«mme<> of men i/|e/(/ce#*t Information. If Mmami Incfede • • i/faiflceet

HHIO$r$phf *f lltereteft tyrvty, m*Um <1 Sere)

Tht TIba 4 Frequency Bulletin provide* lnformotion on ptrfornAnct of tlao

•colti *nd a v*ri«ty of bro*dc**t* (a&4 releted Information) to utort of tho

NIST Mrvlcot.

12. KEY WOROS (Si « to lw #/»• olphobotictl ©rde\- c opltolltt only pr^por teperote k«r »O^I At iemi<©lo«l|

clock* ; dl**ealQ*tlon; frequency; GPS; o*clll*tor»; tine

IS. AVAILABILITY

I 1 Unlimited

fYl For Official Olitrlbutlen. Do Net Releaee to NTIS

("H Order From Superintendent of Document!, U.S. Government Printlnf Office, Weehiniton, O.C

20402.

1

*] Order From National Technical Information Service (NTIS). $prin|fleld, VA. 22141

14. NO. OF

PRINTED PAGES

II. Price

u*cOt*4*oc ini-'H
. . /

U.S. Department of Commerce

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Time & Frequency Division

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