Limitations on the Use of the Power-Law Form of Sy(f) to Compute Allan Variance

Fraser Thomson, Sami Asmar, and Kamal Oudrhiri

ABSTRACT An exact solution to the well-known integral transform that relates the spectral density of the instantaneous fractional frequency deviation, Sy(f), to the Allan variance, σy2(τ), is presented for the case of a power-law representation of Sy(f). The approximate solution to this integral transform, which is found throughout the literature, also is derived. A graphical convergence analysis is presented, showing the range of applicability of the approximate solution. The results reinforce the use of the approximate solution, which converges quickly to the exact solution under virtually all reasonable measurement conditions.

© 2005, by The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. All rights reserved.

Back To Table of Contents