HP / Agilent 58503B GPS Time & Frequency Reference Receiver

The HP/Agilent 58503B GPS Time & Frequency Reference Receiver delivers precision time and frequency references traceable to GPS satellite signals. This 8-channel parallel-tracking receiver generates stable 10 MHz and 1 PPS outputs for synchronization and calibration in telecommunications, metrology, broadcasting, and metrology laboratories. SmartClock technology learns oscillator characteristics and compensates for aging and temperature drift, maintaining accuracy during both locked and holdover operation. The unit achieves GPS lock within 30 minutes and delivers nanosecond-level time accuracy with respect to UTC (USNO MC).

## Technical Specifications

**10 MHz Output**
• Frequency accuracy (locked): Better than 1 × 10⁻¹² (1 day average)
• Holdover aging (unlocked): 1 V p-p into 50 Ω

**1 PPS / 1 PP2S Output**
• Jitter (locked, leading edge): < 750 ps rms
• Time accuracy (locked): 20 ns (1 Sigma) to UTC after calibration; < 110 ns (95% probability) when properly installed
• Accumulated time error (unlocked): 2.4 V pulse into 50 Ω
• Pulse width: 26 µs

**GPS Receiver**
• Channels: 8-channel parallel tracking
• Technology: HP SmartClock with enhanced GPS digital filtering
• Lock time: 30 minutes (95% probability)
• Holdover qualification: 48 hours operation + 24 hours learning (95% probability)

**Electrical**
• Power: 90–132 Vac or 198–264 Vac (auto-select)

## Key Features

• Nanosecond-level UTC accuracy after calibration removes systematic timing offsets
• Holdover stability maintains frequency accuracy without GPS signal for extended periods
• Low phase noise across multiple offset frequencies ensures clean reference outputs
• Selective Availability rejection via enhanced GPS filtering

## Typical Applications

• Telecommunications network synchronization and timing
• Primary frequency standard for metrology and calibration
• Broadcasting station clock reference
• Research and precision measurement laboratories