Atomic Oscillator Stop Modes for Faster Frequency Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing atomic oscillators face challenges in stabilizing their characteristics after power-down, as temperature control termination leads to changes in gas cell temperature, requiring time to stabilize, affecting long-term precision.
Innovation Solution
An atomic oscillator with a control circuit that operates in multiple modes, including normal operation, short-term stop, long-term stop, and complete stop, allowing for controlled temperature management and reduced power consumption, enabling faster stabilization when resuming operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the atomic resonator is powered down to reduce power consumption, then energy savings are achieved, but the gas cell temperature changes and it takes time to stabilize the oscillator characteristics upon resumption
Solution Approach 1:
The power-down mode is segmented into two distinct modes: short-term stop mode where only the light emitter is stopped while temperature control continues, and long-term stop mode where both light emitter and temperature control are stopped. This segmentation allows optimization of both power consumption and stabilization time based on the specific operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
In the short-term stop mode, the temperature control is maintained in advance during the period when the light emitter is stopped. This preliminary maintenance of temperature stability ensures that when operation is resumed, the gas cell temperature remains stable, eliminating the need for lengthy stabilization periods.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the gas cell temperature control is terminated during power-down, then power consumption is reduced, but the temperature of the gas cell changes affecting oscillation precision
Solution Approach 1:
The power-down functionality is divided into short-term stop mode (light emitter only) and long-term stop mode (both light emitter and temperature control). This allows users to choose the appropriate mode based on whether precision maintenance is more important than power savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its behavior based on the selected stop mode. In short-term stop mode, the system maintains temperature control dynamically to preserve precision. In long-term stop mode, the system accepts temperature changes to maximize power savings, demonstrating dynamic operational flexibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves faster stabilization of atomic oscillator characteristics and reduces power consumption by maintaining temperature distributions similar to normal operation modes during stop periods, enhancing precision and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitter to which a signal based on the oscillation signal is inputted, an atomic cell that accommodates an alkali metal atom and light from the light emitter enters, a light receiver that detects the light passing through the atomic cell
Implementation Method 2
a first temperature controller that controls a temperature of the atomic cell
Data Source
AI summary
An atomic oscillator including an oscillator that outputs an oscillation signal, a light emitter to which a signal based on the oscillation signal is inputted, an atomic cell, a light receiver that detects the light passing through the atomic cell and outputs a detection signal, a first temperature controller, and a control circuit, and the control circuit has a first mode including the process of operating the light emitter and the first temperature controller and the process of causing the oscillator to output the oscillation signal, a second mode including the process of causing the light emitter and the first temperature controller to stop operating and the process of causing the oscillator to stop outputting the oscillation signal, and a third mode including the process of causing the light emitter to stop operating, the process of operating the first temperature controller, and the process of causing the oscillator to stop outputting the oscillation signal.