[time-nuts] is there a cheap and simple way to measure OCXOs?

Chris Albertson albertson.chris at gmail.com
Wed May 30 15:15:54 UTC 2012


On Wed, May 30, 2012 at 7:59 AM, Attila Kinali <attila at kinali.ch> wrote:

> On Wed, 30 May 2012 07:18:12 -0700
> Jim Lux <jimlux at earthlink.net> wrote:
>
> But what then? The frequency offset is low enough that it is still
> problematic to measure with standard measurements instruments.
> And the phase noise.. out of question.
>
>
What then?   You will need to record the output of the mixer.  A computer
is good for this if you have an audio interface that can see DC.   But the
is unlikely.  Better to get an Arudino.  These are inexpensive and very
easy to use.  It will have several analog inputs.  use those to sample the
mixer(s)   It can record to an SD memory card or to a computer (Linux Mac
or Windows)

The Rb is not a freq. reference until you can program it.  It might be
running at any rate near 10MHz.  But until to can measure and send the
right commands it is just "sort of close" to 10MHz.   Also the sine wave
output is not so perfect.   In fact it wil be worse then the OCXOs you want
to test.    You may want to beat the OCXOs angaint each other to see the
closer in stuff and use the Rb for longer periods.

But isn't this what everyone does?  Use what you have for a reference, then
get something better, repeat as required.   Seems like you will be needing
a GPS soon.

Chris Albertson
Redondo Beach, California


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