Research on Time Scale of Cesium Atomic Clocks Based on Kalman Plus Weights Algorithm

High-performance atomic clocks provide the foundation for precise time measurement. Common high-performance atomic clocks in time-keeping laboratories include hydrogen masers and cesium atomic clocks. These two types of clocks exhibit certain differences in performance. Cesium atomic clocks, in comparison to hydrogen masers, are less sensitive to external factors such as environmental temperature, humidity, and vibrations. Cesium atomic clocks also feature stable rate changes and relatively high accuracy. Time-keeping laboratories often use atomic clocks as the basis for calculating atomic time scales, using this measurement as a reference for time-keeping system operation control. This article primarily introduces a time scale algorithm suitable for cesium clock configurations, aiming to fully exploit the advantages of cesium atomic clocks. It starts by analyzing the noise characteristics of cesium atomic clocks. Subsequently, based on noise characteristics, the Kalman Plus Weights (KPW) time scale algorithm is introduced. Finally, the distribution of the noise diffusion coefficient and stability indicators of the KPW time scale are analyzed. A comparison with the AT1 time scale algorithm is made to validate the applicability and effectiveness of the introduced algorithm. These results can serve as a reference for ensuring the reliable and stable operation of time-keeping systems.