Precision Time Meters for Ground and Space Applications

Abstract

Eventech has demonstrated high competence in event timing, producing time-tagging systems with 2.5 ps precision used in more than half of the SLR stations in the world. Recently, we have implemented specific updates for the ET33 event timer, which allowed us to implement 25 Mevents/sec registration speed, 2 ps precision, and stabilize the performance of the ESTT in the operating temperature range. The internal time scale of the meter has high-precision synchronization with an external time scale (for example, with the UTC scale based on GPS signals). ESA has accepted our technology for space application; the closest mission is the 2024 HERA asteroid mission. It includes a centimeter-resolution PALT planetary altimeter, the main electronic unit of which is a 10 ps precise time interval meter for deep space applications. The active development phase for this project is completed now, and it is passing pre-flight tests.