[time-nuts] Symmetricom SA.35M Information Request

[Ed Palmer]

Hi Magnus,

Yes, the 10 MHz output sweeps about +114 and -168 Hz.  The 6.834 GHz is 
moving +84 to -107 KHz.  Not the same ratio, but close enough. So the RF 
side all looks good.  Good thing too since this thing is much too small 
to have any trimmers.  I haven't even found the VCXO.  I think it must 
be on the bottom of the board.

I got a copy of the Designer's Guide from a kind soul  (Thank you 
again!).  It makes one cryptic mention of a Parameter Recovery mode that 
could result in a 2 hour lock time.  I let it run and logged the 
result.  It tries really hard to get a lock!  It spent 3 hours tweaking 
parameters for the laser trying to get a lock before it gave up.  The 
results look like it might have actually been successful at setting the 
laser parameters so I'm moving on to the detector side.  I haven't found 
the detector yet so I haven't looked for any modulation.  I have to 
reread some documents I found.  I don't think this laser-based unit uses 
the typical modulation scheme.

I'm doing a lot of reading between the lines and plain-old guessing.  
Lots of fun! :)

I've temporarily set it aside to help a guy try to resurrect an 
FTS-4040A Cesium.  Is that a dead STEL-1173 I smell?  We haven't got to 
that point yet, but it's on my radar!

Ed

On 2016-03-15 8:02 PM, Magnus Danielson wrote:
> Ed, On 03/14/2016 10:10 PM, Ed Palmer wrote:
>> >Does anyone have any info on the Symmetricom SA.35M Miniature Rb
>> >Standard?  I have the data sheet, patent document and the MACDEMO
>> >program.  Is there anything else available?  For example, I'd like some
>> >more explanation of the various parameters read by the MACDEMO program.
>> >
>> >I have a sick unit that I'm exploring.  It won't lock.  The VCXO is
>> >sweeping and I've confirmed the presence of the 6.834 GHz RF signal so
>> >I'm now looking towards the laser.
>> >
>> >I don't expect that I'll be able to get it working, but it's fun to play
>> >with.
> Does the VCXO sweep over the right frequencies. Does it cross 10 MHz?
>
> Can you see any status for fundamental and second overtone responses?
>
> Can you measure from the detector?
>
> Cheers,
> Magnus