The details of the MeerKAT radio telescope’s time and frequency reference subsystem that enables sampling via low-jitter, low-drift microwave clock signals, and absolute timing (≤5 ns accurate) are discussed. The subsystem’s microwave and pulse per second transmission parts are now fully qualified and commissioned for the ultra high frequency (UHF) and L-bands and also provide for a 100-MHz interface and timing interfaces for S-band receivers that were installed. The subsystem includes a cable measurement system called the Karoo array timing system (KATS). Performance and differences on different bands and seasonal drift of the cable delay measurement of KATS are reported. A time scale called the Karoo Telescope Time (KTT) (which is estimated from tracking a few atomic clocks via new software) and the issuing of timing bulletins to users have been largely implemented and verified. Absolute timing calibration and linkage of KTT to the global positioning system time scale and to different UTC(k) realizations of the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) instances are described. The subsystem uniquely enables high-fidelity sampling and stable tied array configuration. The latter configuration enables timing and transient science over time spans of 5 to 10 years. Simultaneous subarraying is supported. The backend is unique for radio telescopes in terms of being very deterministic as far as timing is concerned.
A tracking sensor system for precise telescope time realization called the Karoo Telescope Time (KTT), for next generation precision radio astronomy is described in this article. This is a key enabler for precision timing science like transients, pulsar search and pulsar timing. A Mark I real time sensor called KTT-GNSS was already implemented and verified and needs to ensure receptor timing below the <30ns level. Some aspects and design and algorithm testing for a Mark II post facto sensor called KTT-UTC which has the goal of <5ns is described herein. The Mark II sensor also has accurate daily intermediary sensors, based on past data, and is not based on any extrapolations like the Mark I sensor is.
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