An optical fibre-based frequency dissemination network for Australia

An optical-fibre network is being planned for distribution of optical and microwave reference frequencies in Australia. This network would connect a number of research facilities and the National Measurement Institute (NMI), allowing long-range comparison of frequency standards to high precision and providing reference signals for a wide range of applications. First results for transfer in the laboratory achieve a fractional frequency stability of 7×10^-17 at an averaging time of 10⁴ s for the distribution of an 80 MHz radio frequency signal. We present details of the technique used to cancel noise introduced by the fibre, describe the all-digital radio-frequency phasemeter used to characterise performance, and outline plans for the further development of the network.