Stable32Frequency Stability Analysis

Stable32 is a Microsoft Windows^Ò program for the analysis of frequency stability. It permits the entry, editing, simulation, analysis and plotting of phase and frequency data, the calculation of drift and stability statistics, and the plotting and printing of phase, frequency and time stability data. It is used by leading government and commercial metrology laboratories around the world.
 

Features

The Stable32 program includes all the functions necessary to manipulate, analyze and plot time and frequency stability data.

Stable32 file operations include opening phase and frequency data files, combining data, and storing all or a portion of the data. Data is stored in ASCII format, with gaps indicated by a value of zero, and may be input from any source that generates up to 8 columns of such comma or space-delimited data, with or without timetags. Stable32 can also read, index and process archive and database files from a Timing Solutions Corporation clock measurement system. All storage and calculations are performed with double precision for a virtually unlimited number of data points.

Editing features include displaying, editing, inserting, deleting, and filling gaps in phase and frequency data. Conversion between phase and frequency data is supported, as is outlier detection and removal. Timetags may be generated for indexing or used to locate and fill gaps in the data. Plotting and printing can be done for all or a portion of the data, with drift fits and automatic or user-defined scales and titles.

Analysis functions include basic statistics (maximum, minimum, average, median and standard deviation), drift, drift removal, normalization, scaling, gap and outlier detection and removal, as well as Allan, total and Hadamard variance stability statistics, histograms, and power spectrum, all over selectable limits with gaps ignored. Stability analysis includes point and automatic calculation and plotting of normal and overlapping Allan deviation, s_y(t), modified Allan deviation, Mod s_y(t), time deviation, s_x(t), total deviation, s_total(t), modified total deviation, mod s_total(t), time total deviation, s_{x total}(t) and normal, overlapping, and total Hadamard deviation, s_H(t), Thêo1, ThêoBR, and ThêoH as well as MTIE and TIE rms. Telecom masks can be shown in MTIE plots. The PSD can be expressed as S_y(f), S_x(f), S_f(f) or £(f). Statistical techniques are available to estimate or define the noise type and to establish selectable confidence intervals. Stability data can be saved, edited, read and replotted. Simulated power-law clock noise may be generated, and time-frequency domain conversions may be done for power-law noise processes. A calendar is provided for date, day-of-year, GPS Week # and MJD.

Hardware Requirements

Stable32 runs on IBM-compatible PCs under Microsoft Windows^Ò 95 and higher. For best operation, it requires a 200 MHz Pentium^Ò class or better computer with at least 32 MB of RAM and a 17" XGA color monitor. A graphics printer is needed for hard-copy plots.

Functions

All Stable32 functions are accessed by menus and toolbars as shown below:

• Open                          Open a data or archive file from disk
• Save                           Save a data file to disk
• Add                            Merge a data file from disk
• Read                          Read a stability data file
• Database                    Read data from a TSC MMS Database
• Print                           Print phase or freq data
• Exit                            Exit Stable32 program

Edit Functions

• Edit                             Edit current data
• Convert                      Convert between x(t) & y(t) data
• Normalize                   Remove mean value from data
• Average                       Combine data into longer tau
• Fill                               Fill gaps in data
• Regularize                   Insert gaps using timetags
• Scale                            Scale data (+,•, slope)
• Part                              Delete part of data
• Clear                           Clear data array

Analysis Functions

• Statistics                      Calculate basic statistics
• Check                           Check frequency data for outliers
• Drift                             Calc drift for x(t) and y(t) data
• Sigma                           Calculate Allan deviation
• Run                               Calculate stability statistics
• DAVAR                        Plot dynamic stability
• Power                           Plot power spectrum
• Histogram                     Plot histogram
• Autocorrelation            Plot autocorrelation function

Plot

• Phase                             Plot phase data
• Frequency                      Plot frequency data

Generate

• Noise                             Generate simulated clock noise
• Timetags                        Generate timetag data

Utility

• Calendar                        Display a DOY/MJD calendar
• Domain                          Time-freq domain conversions
• Inputs                             Set input file scaling values
• Notepad                         Invoke the Notepad text editor
• Play                               Replay a *.TKF plot file

Options

• Configure                      Set configuration options
• Filenames                     Set filenames
• Status Bar                     Access Status Bar Controls

Help

• About                            Display Stable32 information
• Index                             Display Help index
• Using Help                    Display help for Help
• Stable on the Web        Access Stable32 web site       
• Feedback                      Send feedback via e-mail      

Data Plotting

Stable32 includes functions for high resolution phase and frequency data plotting, with optional title, subtitle, annotations and drift lines. The data and time axes may be scaled to other units. The plot scales may be automatically determined or manually chosen. The plots include time and date, file name, data point range, averaging time and line parameters. A number of line options are available. The plotting routines use the GraphiC^Ò library for on-screen and publication-quality hard copy graphic printouts. The screen plots may be zoomed, stored in a file for replay by the included Play/Win program, or converted to other formats for import into other programs.

Data Analysis

Stable32 includes functions for basic statistics, drift, variance, histograms and power spectrum analysis. The basic statistics are # data points and gaps, maximum, minimum, average, plot scales and standard deviation. Frequency drift analysis includes 2nd difference, 3-point and quadratic fits to phase data, and linear, bisection, logarithmic and diffusion fits to frequency data. Frequency drift may be removed from the phase or frequency data. Variance analysis includes normal, overlapping, modified and time Allan deviations, Total, and Hadamard deviations for phase and frequency data. The averaging time may be chosen as any multiple of the basic data up to the maximum permitted for the particular calculation. Confidence limits are given, and single or double confidence intervals can be established for overlapping data using C² statistics and the estimated noise type.

An example of a Stable32 drift analysis screen is shown below. This screen is typical of those for all Stable32 functions, including analysis choices and numerical results. The Stable32 drift analysis methods include linear, log, diffusion, bisection, quadratic, 3-point and 2nd difference. Linear fitting and endpoint matching is available to calculate and remove frequency offset from phase data.

Stability Analysis

Stable32 stability analysis methods include normal, overlapping, modified and time Allan deviations, total, modified and time total deviations, and normal, overlapping and total Hadamard deviations, as well as Thêo1, ThêoBR, ThêoH, Dynamic Allan and Hadamard stabilities, MTIE and TIE rms, as listed below:

Allan

• Original
• Overlapping
• Modified
• Overlapping and Modified
• Total
• Time Total
• Modified Total

Hadamard

• Original
• Overlapping
• Total

Thêo1

• Original
• Bias-Removed
• Hybrid

Dynamic

• Allan
• Hadamard

Telecom

• TIE rms
• MTIE

These statistics are available either at a single averaging time with the Sigma function, or over a range of averaging times with the Run function. The results of the latter operation can be printed in tabular form or plotted as shown below. Automatic or user-defined noise typing is available, and decade, octave or all tau increments may be selected.

The stability plot can include noise lines, specification limits, telecom masks, and a variety of titles, sub-titles, messages and annotations.

Other Functions

Other Stable32 analysis functions include autocorrelation, power spectra, S_y(f), £(f), S_f(f) and S_x(f), histograms and time-frequency domain conversions. In addition, simulated power law clock noise may be identified, generated and analyzed.

Documentation

Stable32 is supported by a 275 page printed User Manual that fully describes the installation, operation, and theory of the program. Examples are included that show the use of the major features and functions. Stable32 can be used for both routine data analysis of frequency stability measurements and as an educational tool. The ability to generate and analyze simulated clock noise is an effective way to learn the techniques of frequency stability analysis. The Stable32 program also includes on-line help. A number of papers are available on-line to support the use of Stable32.

Price

The price of Stable32 (including domestic shipping via priority U.S. mail and free updates for at least 1-year) is shown in the following table:
 

Ordering Information

Copies of Stable32 may be purchased directly from Hamilton Technical Services. A check or purchase order should accompany your order. Stable32 is supplied on a CD with an installation program and is not copy protected. Backup copies may be made and may be installed on any number of computers within the immediate user group that purchased it, but only one copy of each unit purchased may be used at any time. Site licenses are available. Additional copies of the software or its documentation may not be distributed to others. Stable32 is sold with a 30-day refund policy to insure your satisfaction. Free support and updates are provided for at least 1 year.

Order Form

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Mail order to:

Hamilton Technical Services
650 Distant Island Drive
Beaufort, SC 29907-1580 USA

Telephone: +1-843-525-6495
Fax: +1-843-525-0251
E-Mail: stable32@wriley.com

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Revised 9/27/06