| Abstract: | The frequency stability and reliability of the clocks are critical to the success of the GPS and GLONASS programs. We will show some of the similarities and differences between the clocks involved in these two systems. Because both systems plan to be operational in the next few years, the data leading up to this operational stage is of significant interest. On-board clocks and the stability of the master control clocks for these systems are analysed. We will discuss the attributes of these two systems as time and frequency references. Their relationship to UTC will also be illustrated. More data over a longer period of time was available for the authors from GPS than from GLONASS. Even so it is obvious that both systems have matured. Though the GLONASS system was developed later, its overall clock performance has improved more rapidly. Some of the more recent GLONASS clock performance is at about the same level as that of the GPS clocks. The analysis has yielded some very interesting contrasts, comparisons and changes in these systems that should be of great interest for time and frequency users, as well as for clock vendors and receiver vendors. |
