Precise frequency linking method based on phase group synchronization

• We propose frequency linking method based on phase group synchronization.
• We transfer the frequency stability and accuracy from one signal to another.
• We achieve the precise frequency control among any signals by frequency linking.
• We obtain the stability better than 10−12/s in precise frequency linking.

In the precise measurement, control and processing of phase and frequency, the measurement resolution better than picosecond (ps) has an important significance on the improvement of the frequency standard technique, the precise time and frequency measurement, the time or phase synchronization processing, phase noise measurement with a wide range and quick response time and the time and frequency synchronization of bistatic radar. Aiming at the complex frequency transformation, the low measurement resolution and the uncertain frequency linking precision in the traditional frequency linking method, a new frequency linking method is proposed based on phase group synchronization. We characterize the least common multiple period between any frequencies signals, utilize the quantization step law of phase difference, establish the phase group synchronization between two different frequencies signals, transfer the frequency stability and accuracy from one signal to another, and thereby achieve the precise frequency control among any signals. It is shown by the experimental results that the frequency stability with 10−12 in 1 s can be easily obtained in the quantum frequency standard, as well as the complex and precise frequency linking. Compared to the traditional frequency linking method based on frequency processing, the method has the advantage of the simple frequency chain, the low cost and the high frequency linking precision.