Experimental Demonstration of High-Precision Multi-access Time Transfer via Optical-Electrical-Optical Repeater Stations

Abstract: In this paper, we propose a kind of optical-electrical-optical (OEO) repeater station for the time transfer based on bidirectional time division multiplexing transmission over a single fiber with the same wavelength (BTDM-SFSW). Along the main fiber link, the forward and backward time signals alternatively pass through the same OEO repeater via a 2X2 optical switch (OS). By this means, the optical powers of bidirectional time signals increase. And parts of excess noises, suffered from the main link, are sufficiently blocked owing to the OEO process. Simultaneously, the bidirectional time signals can be decoded and utilized for multi-access time transfer. As a result of the same devices for both directions, the maximum delay symmetry is maintained, and the performance for multi-access time transfer is guaranteed. With the OEO repeater stations, we successfully demonstrate multi-access time transfer in our time transfer testbeds with the main links up to 13,200 km. The time deviations of less than 80 ps/s and 11 ps/10^5 s, respectively, are obtained. Furthermore, the combined standard uncertainties of less than 70 ps are reached, which agree well with the experimental verifications over non-calibrated fiber links.