A High-Precision Frequency Synchronization Method Based on a Novel Geostationary Communication Satellite Phase-Locked Transponder
Equipping satellites with a series of high-precision frequency references is essential; however, even advanced active hydrogen masers can often be too heavy and expensive for the current satellite payload constraints. Moreover, in geostationary Earth-orbit communication satellites lacking atomic clo...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Remote Sensing |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/7/1280 |
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| author | Xueyi Tang Chenhao Yan Haiyuan Sun Lijiaoyue Meng Yibin He Rui Liu Shiguang Wang Lijun Wang |
| author_facet | Xueyi Tang Chenhao Yan Haiyuan Sun Lijiaoyue Meng Yibin He Rui Liu Shiguang Wang Lijun Wang |
| author_sort | Xueyi Tang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Equipping satellites with a series of high-precision frequency references is essential; however, even advanced active hydrogen masers can often be too heavy and expensive for the current satellite payload constraints. Moreover, in geostationary Earth-orbit communication satellites lacking atomic clocks, onboard oscillators can degrade the performance of time–frequency transmission methods. To address these challenges, this study proposes a novel phase-locked transponder that leverages Einstein’s synchronization theory and real-time carrier-phase compensation to improve the transmission performance of satellite frequency transfer systems while mitigating the noise from onboard satellite oscillators. Notably, this requires only simple modifications to the existing transponder structure. By replicating the high-precision atomic frequency standards from ground stations to satellites, the proposed system achieves enhanced frequency synchronization without additional onboard clocks. The feasibility of the satellite-to-ground link was validated through both a theoretical analysis and an experimental verification. Specifically, ground experiments demonstrated a reproducibility of 6.33 ps (1σ) over a 24 h period, with a long-term frequency stability of 3.36 × 10<sup>−16</sup> at an average time of 10,000 s under dynamic conditions, showcasing the potential of this approach for advanced frequency synchronization. This paper presents a cost-effective and scalable solution for enhancing frequency synchronization in geostationary satellites, improving communication reliability, supporting advanced scientific and navigational applications, and enabling the development of high-precision, space-air-ground integrated time–frequency synchronization networks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0a862ec1d78b4611847dd42a2cfe8cec |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2072-4292 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Remote Sensing |
| spelling | doaj-art-0a862ec1d78b4611847dd42a2cfe8cec2025-08-20T03:08:54ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922025-04-01177128010.3390/rs17071280A High-Precision Frequency Synchronization Method Based on a Novel Geostationary Communication Satellite Phase-Locked TransponderXueyi Tang0Chenhao Yan1Haiyuan Sun2Lijiaoyue Meng3Yibin He4Rui Liu5Shiguang Wang6Lijun Wang7Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaDepartment of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaDepartment of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaDepartment of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaDepartment of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaDepartment of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaDepartment of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaDepartment of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaEquipping satellites with a series of high-precision frequency references is essential; however, even advanced active hydrogen masers can often be too heavy and expensive for the current satellite payload constraints. Moreover, in geostationary Earth-orbit communication satellites lacking atomic clocks, onboard oscillators can degrade the performance of time–frequency transmission methods. To address these challenges, this study proposes a novel phase-locked transponder that leverages Einstein’s synchronization theory and real-time carrier-phase compensation to improve the transmission performance of satellite frequency transfer systems while mitigating the noise from onboard satellite oscillators. Notably, this requires only simple modifications to the existing transponder structure. By replicating the high-precision atomic frequency standards from ground stations to satellites, the proposed system achieves enhanced frequency synchronization without additional onboard clocks. The feasibility of the satellite-to-ground link was validated through both a theoretical analysis and an experimental verification. Specifically, ground experiments demonstrated a reproducibility of 6.33 ps (1σ) over a 24 h period, with a long-term frequency stability of 3.36 × 10<sup>−16</sup> at an average time of 10,000 s under dynamic conditions, showcasing the potential of this approach for advanced frequency synchronization. This paper presents a cost-effective and scalable solution for enhancing frequency synchronization in geostationary satellites, improving communication reliability, supporting advanced scientific and navigational applications, and enabling the development of high-precision, space-air-ground integrated time–frequency synchronization networks.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/7/1280carrier phaseEinstein synchronizationfrequency transfergeostationary satellitesatellite transponder |
| spellingShingle | Xueyi Tang Chenhao Yan Haiyuan Sun Lijiaoyue Meng Yibin He Rui Liu Shiguang Wang Lijun Wang A High-Precision Frequency Synchronization Method Based on a Novel Geostationary Communication Satellite Phase-Locked Transponder Remote Sensing carrier phase Einstein synchronization frequency transfer geostationary satellite satellite transponder |
| title | A High-Precision Frequency Synchronization Method Based on a Novel Geostationary Communication Satellite Phase-Locked Transponder |
| title_full | A High-Precision Frequency Synchronization Method Based on a Novel Geostationary Communication Satellite Phase-Locked Transponder |
| title_fullStr | A High-Precision Frequency Synchronization Method Based on a Novel Geostationary Communication Satellite Phase-Locked Transponder |
| title_full_unstemmed | A High-Precision Frequency Synchronization Method Based on a Novel Geostationary Communication Satellite Phase-Locked Transponder |
| title_short | A High-Precision Frequency Synchronization Method Based on a Novel Geostationary Communication Satellite Phase-Locked Transponder |
| title_sort | high precision frequency synchronization method based on a novel geostationary communication satellite phase locked transponder |
| topic | carrier phase Einstein synchronization frequency transfer geostationary satellite satellite transponder |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/7/1280 |
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