Environmental effects in mixers and frequency distribution systems

The environmental sensitivity of key elements of measurement systems, frequency synthesizers, and frequency distribution systems designed to achieve frequency stabilities on the order of sigma /sub y/( tau )=5*10/sup -15/ tau /sup -1/2/ in the short-term and 3*10/sup -18/ in the long term is examined. The timing errors in signal transmission for distances up to 100 m and the effect of changes in temperature and RF amplitude on timing (or frequency) errors in several available phase detectors operated in different configurations are investigated.<>