Use of the Allan deviation and linear prediction for the determination of the uncertainty on timescale predictions involved in time and frequency calibrations

The Allan deviation is a statistical tool that has been used extensively in the field of time and frequency for the characterization of the frequency instabilities of oscillators. In this paper a simple prediction algorithm and the Allan deviation are used to determine the uncertainty on the timescale predictions involved in calibration procedures performed in T and F metrology laboratories. This approach can be used to clarify questions about the uncertainty on measurements in T and F but also in other fields of metrology whenever the measured quantity is affected by non-stationary noise.