Critical Technical Research On Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard For Satellites

The paper introduces the history of Rb frequency standard developing, as well as goal and present situation of the study. Importance of improving long-term frequency stability of Rb frequency standard is also described. Many factors affect long-term frequency stability of Rb frequency standard, such as microwave power frequency shift and coefficient of frequency varying with temperature.In this paper, it is presented that the theory of the quantum part of the Rb frequency standard and the processing of control circle. Through the methodology analyzing to microwave power frequently shift, a scheme of reducing coefficient of temperature is proposed and several effective solutions are found to improve long-term frequency-stability of Rb frequency standard. One is by decreasing the power lever of physical part's micro signal in some extent, and another is by controlling the temperature of base plate to improve the coefficient of frequency varying with temperature. Two principle prototypes applied with these technologies have passed the engineering verification test.The performances of the improved principle prototypes have met the goal of expecting. All testing data have proved the validity of these two methods. The problems left and the developing direction in future are also discussed at the end the paper.