Design And Implementation Of The Data Processing Module Based On ARM Platform For The Precision Time Reference Instrument

Time reference measurement plays an important role in scientific research, economic andnational defense. The development of time reference measurement will promote China’saerospace, information industry and the development of navigation. To solve the rocketlaunch site precise time synchronization issues and the demand for time reference inconventional weapons tests, we should acquire an accurate time and maintain accurate timesynchronization, which is very important to achieve high accuracy time referencemeasurement. In this paper, we designed a dual-mode satellite timing instrument. The satellitetiming instrument combined independent property rights of China’s Beidou system and GPSsystems, what’s more it based on ARM platform. Focus on the precise time reference testerdata processing module. GPS and Beidou’s time information was received by the precisiontime reference instrument, which can be used as a reference. With the reference the instrumentachieved three functions such as time proof, time interval measurements and frequencymeasurements. The paper was made based on the General Armament Department’s projectwhich named Precision time reference Instrument. On the honor to participate the project, thepaper was written about the data processing. The main contents are as follows:Firstly, technology development status and trends about time proof and time intervalmeasurement at home and abroad are described in detail. The paper introduced the overallcomposition of precision time reference instrument and detailed analyzed of the function ofeach functional module from the perspective of hardware connection. It analyzes theconnection between the modules precision timing systems and implementation functions.According to project requirements, we chose the Win CE embedded systems as the PCoperating system, and taking the actual needs of the Win CE system into account Win CEsystem’s cut and customization was happened.Next, for the precise time reference function tester demand, application software was design. Data processing, displaying, saving, and interval dynamic graphics between localsignal and GPS second pulse was designed and implemented in various operating modes. Inorder to adapt to the software’s versatility and portability, precision time reference instrumentfunctions were part of the software package, including the type of packaging and custompackaging.Finally, we removed some data outliers in TDC measurement caused by the counter andmeasurement curves were smoothed to improve the precision of the system. There is a greaterdifference between input frequency signal and the standard signal. The actual value of thedivided input frequency signal was measured using the Instrument’s frequency measurementwith GPS second pulse as a benchmark. The experimental results showed the main reason forthe deviation between the input frequency signal and the reference.After the project we designed a high-precision, high-stability precision time referenceinstrument and it meets all technical indicators, timing error is less than100ns. The precisiontime reference instrument fixed with GPS and Beidou receiving module. Using of advancedmeasurement techniques intervals, we achieved nanosecond measurement accuracy. Theprecision time reference instrument has many advantages such as high intelligence, easy tooperate, highly integrated, easy to carry, the input and output fully functional and so on. It canbe used not only in test weapons testing range but in industries and applications require highprecision time synchronization like aerospace, power and telecommunications.