Production of accurate one-second time intervals

T his paper describes the t echnique wherewith a highly accurate frequency of 1 cycle p er second is obtained for broadcasting from the Bureau's radio station WWV. Multivibrators are used in obtaining lower frequencies from a radiofrequency standard. Observations are given concerning the nature of short-time instabilities occurring in controlled multivibrators. The measuring t echnique is described whereby the accuracy between successive time intervals or cycles is checked to better than one part in a million. It is pointed out that the arrangem ent can be used for supplying extremely short pulses accurately spaced in time.