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