Status of frequency and timing reference signal transmission by fiber optics

The authors report recent progress in high-stability fiber-optic distribution of frequency and timing reference signals. They outline state-of-the-art performance at 100 MHz, 1 GHz, and 8.4 GHz for these systems. A lower cost, lower performance distribution system for the user who does not need full H-maser stability is described. Future fiber-optic system developments and their potential impact on systems which use high stability frequency reference distribution are discussed. System hardware and cost-performance tradeoffs are considered. A cost-performance tradeoff is presented, along with a cost savings suggestion to use a single fiber-optic transmitter to transmit a signal to several users simultaneously