arXiv subjects

Yuichiro Yano

Publications and source records attributed to Yuichiro Yano.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Explicit Ensemble Mean Synchronization for Time Scale Generation with Mixed Atomic Clock Ensembles

In this paper, we consider a mixed ensemble containing a mixture of cesium-type and hydrogen maser-type atomic clocks. For the mixed ensemble, the conventional Kalman filtering algorithm has certain limitations due to divergence of the error covariance matrix. To overcome these limitations, we obtain a Kalman filtering algorithm based on observable canonical decomposition that does not have any diverging terms. We use the estimates from the transformed Kalman filter to propose a time scale generation algorithm called explicit ensemble mean synchronization algorithm for the mixed ensemble. In this algorithm, we synchronize the time deviation of each clock from the ideal clock behavior to the unobservable ensemble mean of the phases where the weighting can be decided by the user. By regulating the free-running dynamics associated with the unobservable state, through choosing an appropriate weight vector, the frequency stability of the generated time scale or the synchronized time shared by the clocks is optimized over shorter (resp. longer) intervals, as measured by Hadamard variance. An illustrative example is given to demonstrate the efficiency of our algorithm.

eess.SY↗

arXiv2026

Optimal GNSS Time Tracking for Long-term Stable Time Realisation in Synchronised Atomic Clocks

In this manuscript, we propose a novel optimal Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) time tracking algorithm to collectively steer an ensemble consisting of synchronising miniature atomic clocks towards standard GNSS time. The synchronising miniature atomic clocks generate a common synchronised time which has good short term performance but its accuracy and precision, which is measured by Allan variance, deteriorates in the long run. So, a supervisor designs and periodically broadcasts the proposed GNSS time tracking control to the ensemble miniature atomic clocks that steer the average of ensemble towards the average of GNSS receivers, which are receivers of GNSS time. The tracking control is constructed using a Kalman filter estimation process that estimates the difference in average of GNSS receivers and average of ensemble clocks by using relative clock readings between GNSS receivers and their adjacent ensemble clock. Under the influence of the periodically received tracking control, the stabilised ensemble clocks have better long term accuracy and precision over long averaging periods. Since the tracking control is designed to solely influence the average of the ensemble, the tracking process does not interfere with the synchronisation process and vice versa. The feedback matrix associated with the tracking control is obtained from an optimisation problem that minimises steady-state Allan variance. Numerical results are provided to show the efficacy of the proposed algorithm for enhancing long term performance.

eess.SY↗

arXiv2026

Explicit Ensemble Mean Clock Synchronization for Optimal Atomic Time Scale Generation

This paper presents a novel theoretical framework, called explicit ensemble mean (EEM) synchronization. This framework unifies time scale generation, clock synchronization, and oscillator frequency regulation within the systems and control theory paradigm. By exploiting the observable canonical decomposition of a standard atomic ensemble clock model, the system is decomposed into two complementary components: the observable part, which represents the synchronization error, and the unobservable part, which captures the synchronization destination. Within this structure, we mathematically prove that standard Kalman filtering, which is widely used in current time scale generation, not only performs observable state estimation, but also significant unobservable state estimation, and it can be interpreted as a special case of the proposed framework that optimizes long-term frequency stability in terms of the Allan variance. Furthermore, applying state feedback control based on Kalman filtering to each component achieves optimal time scale generation, clock synchronization, and oscillator frequency regulation in a unified manner. The proposed framework provides a foundation for developing explainable timing systems.

eess.SY↗

arXiv2025

Hierarchical Distributed Architecture for the Least Allan Variance Atomic Timing

In this paper, we propose a hierarchical distributed timing architecture based on an ensemble of miniature atomic clocks. The goal is to ensure synchronized and accurate timing in a normal operating mode where Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals are available, as well as in an emergency operating mode during GNSS failures. At the lower level, the miniature atomic clocks employ a distributed control strategy that uses only local information to ensure synchronization in both modes. The resulting synchronized time or generated time scale has the best frequency stability, as measured by the Allan variance, over the short control period. In the upper layer, a supervisor controls the long-term behavior of the generated time scale. In the normal operating mode, the supervisor periodically anchors the generated time scale to the standard time based on GNSS signals, while in the emergency operating mode, it applies optimal floating control to reduce the divergence rate of the generated time scale, which is not observable from the measurable time difference between the miniature atomic clocks. This floating control aims to explicitly control the generated time scale to have the least Allan variance over the long control period. Finally, numerical examples are provided to show that the proposed architecture achieves an Allan variance on the order of $10^{-23}$ over averaging times ranging from one second to several days. This demonstrates its effectiveness and feasibility for high-precision, GNSS-resilient atomic timing.

eess.SY↗

arXiv2024

"I Wanted to Create my Ideal Self": Exploring Avatar Perception of LGBTQ+ Users for Therapy in Virtual Reality

In this paper we explore the potential of utilizing Virtual Reality (VR) as a therapeutic tool for supporting individuals in the LGBTQ+ community, who often face elevated risks of mental health issues. Specifically, we investigated the effectiveness of using pre-existing avatars compared to allowing individuals to create their own avatars through a website, and their experience in a VR space when using these avatars. We conducted a user study (n=10) measuring heart rate variability (HRV) and gathering subjective feedback through semi-structured interviews conducted in VR. Avatar creation was facilitated using an online platform, and conversations took place within a two-user VR space developed in a commercially available VR application. Our findings suggest that users significantly prefer creating their own avatars in the context of therapy sessions, and while there was no statistically significant difference, there was a consistent trend of enhanced physiological response when using self-made avatars in VR. This study provides initial empirical support for the importance of custom avatar creation in utilizing VR for therapy within the LGBTQ+ community.

cs.HC↗

arXiv2023

Structured Kalman Filter for Time Scale Generation in Atomic Clock Ensembles

In this article, we present a structured Kalman filter associated with the transformation matrix for observable Kalman canonical decomposition from conventional Kalman filter (CKF) in order to generate a more accurate time scale. The conventional Kalman filter is a special case of the proposed structured Kalman filter which yields the same predicted unobservable or observable states when some conditions are satisfied. We consider an optimization problem respective to the transformation matrix where the objective function is associated with not only the expected value of prediction error but also its variance. We reveal that such an objective function is a convex function and show some conditions under which CKF is nothing but the optimal algorithm if ideal computation is possible without computation error. A numerical example is presented to show the robustness of the proposed method in terms of the initial error covariance

eess.SY↗

arXiv2023

Higher-Order Allan Variance for Atomic Clocks of Arbitrary Order: Mathematical Foundation

In this paper, we perform a time-domain analysis of the higher-order Allan variance for atomic clock models of arbitrary order. Adopting a standard atomic clock model where the time series of the clock reading deviation is expressed as a Wiener or integrated Wiener process, we define the higher-order Allan variance as the mean squared higher-order difference of the clock reading deviation. The main results of this paper are threefold. First, we prove that the higher-order difference operation of the clock reading deviation, which can be interpreted as a linear aggregation with binomial coefficients, is not only sufficient but also necessary for a resulting aggregated time series to be an independent and identically distributed Gaussian process. Second, we derive a complete analytical expression of the higher-order Allan variance, which consists of both time-dependent and time-independent terms. Third, we prove that the higher-order Allan variance is time-independent if and only if the order of difference operation is greater than or equal to the order of the atomic clock model.

math.PR↗

arXiv2023

Relations Between Generalized JST Algorithm and Kalman Filtering Algorithm for Time Scale Generation

In this paper, we present a generalized Japan Standard Time algorithm (JST-algo) for higher-order atomic clock ensembles and mathematically clarify the relations of the (generalized) JST-algo and the conventional Kalman filtering algorithm (CKF-algo) in the averaged atomic time and the clock residuals for time scale generation. In particular, we reveal the fact that the averaged atomic time of the generalized JST-algo does not depend on the observation noise even though the measurement signal is not filtered in the algorithm. Furthermore, the prediction error of CKF- algo is rigorously shown by using the prediction error regarding an observable state space. It is mathematically shown that when the covariance matrices of system noises are identical for all atomic clocks, considering equal averaging weights for the clocks is a necessary and sufficient condition to ensure equivalence between the generalized JST-algo and CKF-algo in averaged atomic time. In such homogeneous systems, a necessary and sufficient condition for observation noises is presented to determine which algorithm can generate the clock residuals with smaller variances. A couple of numerical examples comparing the generalized JST-algo and CKF-algo are provided to illustrate the efficacy of the results.

eess.SY↗

arXiv2019

Estimating the association between blood pressure variability and cardiovascular disease: An application using the ARIC Study

The association between visit-to-visit systolic blood pressure variability and cardiovascular events has recently received a lot of attention in the cardiovascular literature. But blood pressure variability is usually estimated on a person-by-person basis, and is therefore subject to considerable measurement error. We demonstrate that hazard ratios estimated using this approach are subject to bias due to regression dilution and we propose alternative methods to reduce this bias: a two-stage method and a joint model. For the two-stage method, in stage one repeated measurements are modelled using a mixed effects model with a random component on the residual standard deviation. The mixed effects model is used to estimate the blood pressure standard deviation for each individual, which in stage two is used as a covariate in a time-to-event model. For the joint model, the mixed effects sub-model and time-to-event sub-model are fitted simultaneously using shared random effects. We illustrate the methods using data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

stat.AP↗

arXiv2017

Two-step pulse observation to improve resonance contrast for coherent population trapping atomic clock

We study resonance contrast by a two-step pulse observation method to enhance the frequency stability of coherent population trapping (CPT) atomic clocks. The proposed method is a two-step Raman--Ramsey scheme with low intensity during resonance observation and high intensity after the observation. This method reduces the frequency variation in the light intensity and maintains a high signal-to-noise ratio. The resonance characteristics were calculated by density matrix analysis of a $Λ$-type three-level system that was modeled on the $^{133}$Cs D1 line, and the characteristics were also measured using a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser and a Cs vapor cell.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2014

High-contrast Coherent Population Trapping based on Crossed Polarizers Method

We developed a method based on crossed polarizers to observe high-contrast coherent population trapping (CPT) resonance. Since crossed polarizers have a simple optical system, our method is suitable for chip-scale atomic clocks (CSACs). We calculated the Faraday rotation in CPT in a linearly polarized light field (lin || lin) using two pairs of lambda system models based on the density matrix and estimated the spectrum of the Faraday rotation. After that, we measured the contrast and linewidth with the crossed polarizers method. A comparison of the theoretical model and experiment data showed they were in good agreement. Moreover, the experimental results showed that a high contrast (88.4 %) and narrow linewidth (1.15 kHz) resonance could be observed using a Cs gas cell and D1-line vertical-cavity surfaceemitting laser (VCSEL).

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2014

Two-step pulse observation for Raman-Ramsey coherent population trapping atomic clocks

We propose a two-step pulse observation method to enhance frequency stability for coherent population trapping (CPT) atomic clocks. The proposed method is a Raman-Ramsey scheme with low light intensity at resonance observation, and provides a Ramsey-CPT resonance with both reduced frequency sensitivity to the light intensity and a high signal-to-noise ratio by reducing the repumping into a steady dark state. The resonance characteristics were calculated based on density matrix analysis of a $Λ$-type three level system that was modeled on the $^{133}$Cs-D$_1$ line, and the characteristics were also measured using a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser and a Cs vapor cell.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2014

Theoretical and experimental investigation of the light shift in Ramsey coherent population trapping

The ac Stark shift (or light shift) of the 6$^{2}$S$_{1/2}$ (F $=$ 3 $\leftrightarrow $ 4) transition in $^{133}$Cs, as observed through coherent population trapping under pulsed excitation, is measured using a $^{133}$Cs gas cell and the $D_1$-line vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser. This light shift can be calculated using density-matrix analysis. We derive an expression for this shift as a function of light intensity, showing that it varies linearly with respect to light intensity only with intensities higher than 1.0~mW/cm$^2$. For pulsed excitation of high laser intensity, the variation in light shift is 20 times lower than that when using a continuous wave. The differences between the results of theory and experiment are discussed, taking into account the difference in conditions assumed; the results from theoretical analysis, taking the attenuation of the first-order sideband into account, approximately agree with the experimental results. The light shift is reduced by shortening the observation times.

physics.atom-ph↗