Analysis and Design of an Improved Servo System for Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard

In this paper, we analyze and design a new type of servo system with noninteger voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO) for rubidium atomic frequency standard (RAFS), which does not require fractional frequency synthesizer. By the establishment of the loop equations with noises and drifts, we prove that all the components of the loop can affect its performance index, and in which, RAFS long-term frequency stability is mainly determined by frequency multiplier, quantum system, and servo amplifier; the short-term one is mostly decided by VCXO. Owing to the elimination of the frequency synthesizer and its additive mixing unit, we can reduce phase noise and stray of the servo system, and it is favorable for miniaturizing the RAFS system. In addition, we adopt some targeted optimization measures to improve the frequency stability index. The good short-term fre-quency stability index is also validated by the test results.