ADVA has launched a set of edge and access network synchronization devices with enhanced capabilities for next-generation applications such as 5G. These latest Oscilloquartz solutions address key challenges for a wide range of industries by bringing new levels of timing accuracy and resilience to edge networks.
The OSA 5412 and 5422 offer precise phase, frequency and time-of-day synchronization and can be used for time-as-a-service applications. Communication service providers, enterprises, broadcast networks and power utilities can deploy synchronization technology at the edge that features multi-band for nanosecond accuracy.
The OSA 5412 and 5422 utilize in-service sync probing and assurance as well as innovative GNSS assurance capabilities. The products also provide support for eight field-upgradeable 10Gbit/s ports, ensuring the scale and efficiency needed for next-generation smart grids, industrial IoT applications and 5G connectivity.
The OSA 5412 is a highly flexible access network synchronization solution that offers compact and cost-effective timing distribution and assurance. The OSA 5422 is engineered for the most extreme conditions. It meets stringent frequency and phase synchronization requirements, delivers the best holdover performance of any edge device on the market, and supports multiple legacy interfaces such BITS and IRIG.
Both solutions address new ITU-T specifications, including for class A and B PRTCs, ePRTCs with strict holdover requirements, and the newly improved class C and D boundary clocks. They also feature onboard multi-band, multi-constellation GNSS receivers that overcome ionospheric delay variation far more cost-efficiently than rival solutions using high-end rubidium oscillators.
The OSA 5412 and 5422 support multiple PTP profiles, NTP and SyncE with a high number of 1/10GbE ports. Both devices are engineered with optional OLED display and with hot-swappable modules and power supplies to be easily upgraded in the field.
“Our latest solutions build on the great success we’ve had with our access synchronization product line. Now operators can harness the power of multi-band GNSS receivers to deliver highly accurate, UTC-traceable timing at the network edge. That enables the availability and precision that will be essential for tomorrow’s services,” said Nir Laufer, senior director, product line management, Oscilloquartz, ADVA.
“By extending the feature set of our edge technology, we’re empowering CSPs to smoothly transition to the reliability and accuracy required for 5G and, at the same time, enabling our unique innovation to be used across a wide range of verticals,” Laufer said. “With support for 10Gbit/s and 1Gbit/s interfaces as well as hardware timestamping, our access timing products are the ultimate in future-proof, space-efficient synchronization.”
“Access grandmaster clocks need to meet stricter demands for accuracy and reliability than ever before, and many industries have their own specific set of stringent timing requirements. That’s why we’ve evolved our portfolio of edge and access network synchronization solutions for the specific challenges of the 5G era,” said Gil Biran, general manager, Oscilloquartz, ADVA.
“Our OSA 5412 and 5422 answer the most urgent timing needs of mission-critical infrastructure in multiple verticals,” Biran said. “They provide nanosecond precision, an abundance of fan-out interface options and operational simplicity thanks to the management and monitoring capabilities of our Ensemble Controller with Sync Director. Operators of broadcast, healthcare, financial networks and more now have a straightforward and affordable path from legacy to next-generation timing.”
ADVA has launched a ePRC optical cesium atomic clock solution to protect synchronization networks during GNSS disruptions. The OSA 3350 ePRC+ offers vital backup for mission-critical infrastructures that depend on satellite-based timing, such as mobile networks and power utilities.
The Oscilloquartz OSA 3350 ePRC+ provides high stability and long life, as well as built-in support for Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) . It also meets stringent performance demands as well as the cost points needed for mobile networks transitioning to 5G.
Featuring an all-digital design, the OSA 3350 ePRC+ leverages optical-pumping techniques. It greatly improves performance by providing an extremely stable frequency source.
When used with enhanced primary reference time clocks (ePRTCs), the OSA 3350 ePRC+ delivers holdover for 14 days with an accumulated error of up to 35 nanoseconds. This far exceeds the ITU-T ePRC G.811.1 standard that requires an accumulated error under 70 nanoseconds.
The OSA 3350 ePRC+ also delivers optimum stability for more than 10 years, much longer than the lifespan of high-performance magnetic cesium clocks.
With a fully modular design, the optical cesium solution features a wide range of telecom synchronization output interfaces and supports modern and secured management capabilities with SNMP. It is RoHS-compliant and is fully integrated into ADVA’s Ensemble management and control software suite for operational simplicity and ease of use.
Enhanced Oscilloquartz portfolio enables seamless transition to PTP timing from the core to the substation
Photo: Business Wire/Oscilloquartz
ADVA has upgraded its portfolio of Oscilloquartz PTP grandmaster clocks, enabling power utilities to smoothly transition to packet network synchronization.
The enhanced technology will empower electricity providers to evolve their infrastructure into smart grids based on precision time protocol (PTP) power profiles, while at the same time supporting all legacy timing signals.
Updates to ADVA’s Oscilloquartz pluggable solution, its compact small cell device, its mid-size PTP grandmasters and its fully redundant core timing technology ensure ultra-precise timing throughout a utility network.
The technology also removes the risk of relying purely on satellite-based time sources through continuous monitoring, jamming and spoofing detection and AI-assisted analytics.
ADVA’s entire range of Oscilloquartz grandmaster clocks has been upgraded to meet the latest PTP profiles for time, frequency and phase synchronization in power utility networks. This includes:
OSA 5401 small form-factor pluggable,
OSA 5405 for indoor and outdoor substation deployments,
OSA 5420 Series,
Highly scalable OSA 5430 and 5440 with 10Gbit/s interfaces and fully redundant hardware.
The technologies enable an easy migration to an Ethernet-based timing network with support for PTP, Network Time Protocol and SyncE, as well as IRIG-B, PPS and BITS legacy interfaces.
PTP-based backup combined with multi-band GNSS receivers and advanced monitoring capabilities ensure that the upgraded solutions provide highly reliable delivery of precise timing information even during long GNSS outages.
To create an ePRTC solution, ADVA’s Oscilloquartz cesium clocks can also be combined with the OSA 5420, 5430 or 5440. This delivers extended holdover of up to 70 nanoseconds for 14 days, even when GNSS signals are unavailable.
ADVA has launched a centralized GNSS monitoring and assurance tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for comprehensive predictive maintenance.
The new customer-owned tool enables users to collect and analyze huge amounts of information from across the network to remotely identify issues and protect networks from GNSS vulnerabilities, including jamming and spoofing attacks.
It also helps to identify GNSS obstruction issues, detect blind/poor spots that appear over time, and enable optimal antenna positioning.
Built into ADVA’s Ensemble Controller network management suite with Sync Director, the solution enables customers to detect potential problems in advance, maintain the highest quality of network synchronization and significantly reduce opex. By complementing today’s limited distributed approach to GNSS assurance with a centralized-global system, it offers a major boost to critical infrastructure dependent on satellite-based timing.
“What we’re offering is a way for network operators to see the bigger GNSS picture. Using AI and ML to analyze the entire synchronization network, our centralized GNSS monitoring and assurance solution will be key in the fight against GNSS cyber issues, such as jamming and spoofing attacks,” said Gil Biran, general manager, Oscilloquartz, ADVA.
“This new technology provides the power to proactively tackle issues that jeopardize vital services,” Biran said. “Harnessing the capabilities of our synchronization devices to identify spoofing problems, it intelligently mines a wealth of data and gives network operators the precise info they need in a highly accessible way. By using long-term heat maps and enormous amounts of data from a wide range of GNSS receiver sources, our solution identifies patterns and preempts issues. It alerts maintenance teams to obstructions or jamming conditions so that countermeasures can be put in place well before services are affected.”
As part of the network infrastructure, ADVA’s centralized GNSS assurance and monitoring solution enables a network-wide view of GNSS receiver health. Requiring no additional hardware or site visits, it remotely delivers detailed analysis, automatically detecting abnormal patterns with a patent-pending algorithm.
Utilizing AI and ML, it alerts maintenance teams to potential GNSS service degradation and safeguards against spoofed signals. Network operators receive updates through a user-friendly GUI as well as regular reports tailored to individual criteria.
As a component of ADVA’s comprehensive Ensemble Controller suite, the new technology makes synchronization monitoring and assurance an integral part of overall network management and control. For network operators, having a single system to track inventory simplifies operations and helps bolster network security.
“GNSS is the fundamental source of network time, phase and frequency generation across so many of today’s industries. From IT to telecommunications, from energy to finance, the reliability of satellite-based timing is crucial and the cost of interference is huge. This latest launch is a key part of our ongoing mission to remove the risk of GNSS vulnerabilities,” said Nir Laufer, senior director, product line management, Oscilloquartz, ADVA.
“The new solution joins our multi-band, multi-constellation GNSS receiver technology — which overcomes ionospheric delay variation — as well as our range of grandmaster clocks with network-based timing and outstanding holdover capabilities,” Laufer said. “Combined with our highly stable cesium clock technology, these create our ePRTC solutions for ultimate GNSS backup. With our comprehensive portfolio, all industry verticals are guaranteed accurate, cost-effective and highly resilient timing.”
Adva has launched a modular multi-band GNSS receiver for ePRTC and PRTC-B synchronization, bringing increased precision timing to 5G networks.
The new solution is engineered to overcome ionospheric delay variation that causes timing inaccuracy, enabling communication service providers (CSPs) and enterprises to deliver nanosecond precision.
Previously, this was achieved with expensive, rubidium clocks.
Installed synchronization infrastructure can be installed to increase accuracy and reliability. The multi-band, multi-constellation GNSS receiver card plugs into Adva’s OSA 5430 and OSA 5440, advanced core grandmaster clocks able to support PTP, NTP and SyncE over multiple 1Gbit/s and 10Gbit/s Ethernet interfaces.
This enables network operators to meet the requirements of the ITU’s stringent PRTC-B specifications and support advanced 5G applications.
“What we’re offering the market is an entirely new route to high-precision UTC-traceable network timing that doesn’t require significant investment. Our future-proof technology gives businesses and CSPs a way to boost synchronization performance and meet the ITU’s tight PRTC-B specifications without resorting to expensive alternatives.”
Photo: Adva
“Our new multi-band GNSS receiver is a major milestone for network synchronization. For the first time, operators can harness a solution with multi-band GNSS capabilities combined with our core devices, which can deliver line rates up to 10Gbit/s and support ePRTC levels of timing accuracy,” said Gil Biran, general manager, Oscilloquartz.
“Our modular technology offers a way to enhance equipment in the field, achieve PRTC-B levels of timing and improve the timing accuracy of ePRTC. All that’s required is a simple antenna upgrade. Then our multi-band solution can be plugged into the available slot of our OSA 5430 or OSA 5440 for the nanosecond accuracy that will be key to the services of tomorrow. And, as enhanced availability is also essential for emerging applications, the new technology features unrivalled jamming and spoofing detection capabilities combined with our centralized AI-powered GNSS assurance suite.”
Today’s launch answers the urgent demand for improved precision in GNSS-based timing. Currently, most synchronization networks rely on single-band receivers, which can only be accurate to a limited degree as delay between satellites and receivers is affected by space weather. This creates delay variations leading to time information being out of step by up to several tens of nanoseconds.
Adva’s Oscilloquartz multi-band technology receives GNSS signals in several frequency bands, enabling it to use the delay differences between them to calculate delay variation and compensate for it. This method is more cost-effective than other techniques, such as deploying GNSS receivers with a filter implemented by a costly high-stability rubidium oscillator. The OSA 5440 can utilize two multi-band cards, providing ultimate hardware redundancy.
“What we’re offering the market is an entirely new route to high-precision UTC-traceable network timing that doesn’t require significant investment. Our future-proof technology gives businesses and CSPs a way to boost synchronization performance and meet the ITU’s tight PRTC-B specifications without resorting to expensive alternatives,” commented Nir Laufer, senior director, product line management, Oscilloquartz. “Combined with our OSA 5430 and OSA 5440 core grandmasters, the technology creates a scalable, fully hardware-redundant solution. Its built-in security also guarantees the most sophisticated detection of malicious attacks. By supporting GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou and Galileo, our multi-band, multi-constellation line card offers a versatile and resilient solution for migrating from legacy to next-generation timing. Simply put, there’s no other technology available today that can match the accuracy, redundancy, capacity and price point of our core devices combined with our new multi-band GNSS cards.”
The new multi-band GNSS receiver will be officially launched this week at ITSF and can be viewed on Oscilloquartz’s stand Nov. 4-7.
The OSA 5401 and OSA 5405 now enable power utility and broadcast networks to achieve sub-microsecond synchronization. (Photo: Business Wire)
Upgraded PTP grandmaster clocks deliver precise, robust timing in compact form factor
Adva has extended the capabilities of its compact Oscilloquartz PTP timing technology to enable power utility and broadcast networks to achieve sub-microsecond synchronization.
Now electricity companies can harness the accuracy needed for smart power grids, and media enterprises can meet key timing challenges, the company said.
The two upgraded solutions are the pluggable OSA 5401, a small PTP grandmaster clock, and the versatile OSA 5405, an integrated PTP grandmaster with dual GNSS antenna and receiver.
Both technologies have proved critical in the telecommunications industry, where they have been widely deployed across the globe. They offer outstanding precision and design density. Thanks to unique spoofing and jamming detection capabilities, they also provide high availability.
“This upgrade is big news for utility and media network operators looking to harness the most advanced innovation in their field. With our OSA 5401 and 5405 bringing new levels of accuracy and resilience to their infrastructure, they can reap the benefits of emerging bandwidth-intensive, latency-sensitive applications”
“This upgrade is big news for utility and media network operators looking to harness the most advanced innovation in their field. With our OSA 5401 and 5405 bringing new levels of accuracy and resilience to their infrastructure, they can reap the benefits of emerging bandwidth-intensive, latency-sensitive applications,” said Nir Laufer, senior director, product line management, Oscilloquartz, Adva.
“These devices are feature rich and incredibly efficient. But as well as their versatility, what really sets them apart is their extremely small footprint and low power consumption. This is key to bringing packet time distribution to the edge of network. With our technology ensuring sub-microsecond synchronization, smart grids can perform flexible, real-time decision making, as well as monitoring and automated maintenance. And for media companies, the possibilities for high-quality, interactive broadcasting from any location are enormous.”
The OSA 5401 and OSA 5405 now comply with the latest PTP profiles for time, frequency and phase synchronization in both power utility and broadcast networks. These include the IEC/IEEE 61850-9-3 Power Utility Profile for precise time distribution and clock synchronization in electrical grids with an accuracy of 1μs, and SMPTE 2059 for synchronizing video and audio equipment over packet networks.
By supporting NTP, both solutions also enable enterprises to run an on-premises NTP server for high levels of accuracy and uncompromised availability. What’s more, the OSA 5401 and OSA 5405 include advanced GNSS jamming and spoofing detection mechanisms, which are integrated in a centralized AI-based GNSS assurance toolkit.
Taking up zero real estate and using very little power, the OSA 5401 can be deployed in the most space-restrictive locations. Its capabilities include multi-constellation GNSS (GPS/GLONASS/BEIDOU) and accurate time and frequency recovery, even in challenging environments such as urban canyons.
Available in both indoor and outdoor variants, the OSA 5405 radically simplifies and extends the reach of GNSS antenna installation by allowing operators to forget about archaic and expensive RF cables and instead use simple Ethernet over copper cables or optical fiber.
With the OSA 5405, highly precise GNSS-sourced synchronization is supported by network-based SyncE and PTP backups for highly stable sub-microsecond timing accuracy.
“Our mission is to make precise, resilient and affordable timing available in every industry. Both our OSA 5401 and OSA 5405 have had a significant impact on communication service provider networks, supporting mass small cell rollout and the transition to 5G connectivity. Now we’re ready to bring accurate, reliable and cost-efficient PTP timing to the edge of power and broadcast networks,” commented Ulrich Kohn, director, technical marketing, Adva.
“One feature of these devices that will prove key to network operators in these industries is their unique spoofing and jamming detection capabilities. These work on two layers. Firstly, network elements identify disruption autonomously. Then, on top of that, a layer powered by AI analyzes information from multiple devices. Using machine learning, this delivers the highly sophisticated and extremely robust protection needed for machine type communication applications in energy grid protection and control,” Kohn said.
A roundup of recent products in the GNSS and inertial positioning industry from the August 2018 issue of GPS World magazine.
OEM
IP Solution
With multi-constellation GNSS for internet of things (IOT) devices
The Dragonfly NB2 is a highly integrated and modular IP (internet protocol) solution optimized for Cat-NB2 (3GPP Release 14 eNB-IoT) that can seamlessly be incorporated into chips and modules by the multitude of companies looking to address the large and fast-growing cellular IoT space. GNSS hardware package. For customers developing NB-IoT products that also require GNSS capabilities, Ceva-Dragonfly NB2 includes a new power-optimized GNSS hardware package, with GNSS RF receiver and multi-constellation digital front-end. The GNSS package speeds up both acquisition and tracking tasks by up to 8 times compared to Ceva-Dragonfly NB1, enabling a host of popular NB-IoT use cases, including people, livestock and asset tracking and geofencing.
Provides timing accuracy and stability when GNSS signal is lost
Photo: Oscilloquartz
Oscilloquartz has launched its enhanced primary reference time clock (ePRTC) system to enable a high level of timing accuracy and stability, even when the GNSS signal is lost. The system provides a timing source for mission-critical transport systems, such as utility networks, government infrastructure and radio access networks, and provides the strict synchronization needed for LTE-A and 5G applications. Featuring the OSA 3230B ePRC atomic cesium clock connected to an Oscilloquartz clock combiner and grandmaster, the new solution offers the extremely stable frequency of a cesium clock with the UTC-traceable signal provided by GNSS. When combined with the OSA 5430, the OSA ePRTC system provides full hardware redundancy and multiple fan-out options including PTP over 10 Gbit/s.
The SE878Kx-A series of GPS and GNSS integrated antenna receiver modules offer high performance, maximum reliability and low power consumption for consumer and business applications. The SE878K3-A and SE878K7-A are compatible with GPS, GLONASS, Beidou and Galileo and also enable device vendors to develop quickly and cost-effectively location-based IoT solutions for use in virtually any country worldwide. The SE878Kx-A series supports dual internal-external antennas to ensure connectivity when one is broken or compromised, along with a SAW filter to maximize jamming immunity. The modules are designed for mission-critical applications and other use cases where reliability is key, such as alarms, stolen cars or high-end asset tracking. The series also provides seamless integration with Telit’s cellular modules, including eCall/ERA-GLONASS compliant solutions.
The Spresence main and extension boards are designed for internet of things (IoT) applications. The main board uses a multi-CPU structure equipped with Sony’s GNSS receiver (GPS+GLONASS) and high-resolution audio codec. A variety of systems for applications such as drones and other IoT devices can be built by combining the boards and developing the relevant applications. The boards’ software and hardware is available via open platform, allowing for a wide range of developmental possibilities. The main board can be used to control a drone using GPS positioning and a high-performance processor, voice-controlled smart speakers and low-power consumption sensing cameras. It also can be combined with sensors for use in systems that detect errors in production lines on the factory floor.
Designed for geopositioning, construction and mapping
Photo: Topcon
The T-18 handheld controller has a 3.7-inch sunlight-readable display, a 1-GHz processor and 1 GB of internal storage. For field data collection using Topcon’s MAGNET software, the T-18 offers a durable ergonomic solution with fast processing, excellent connectivity and a long (10-hour) battery life. It has a 3.5G cellular modem for connectivity with Topcon MAGNET solutions for sending and receiving data to the cloud company account. The modem also can be used for real-time kinematic (RTK) correction services. Other features include Bluetooth and an IP65 rating for dust and water protection in demanding job-site conditions.
The SXblue ToolBox is an Android application for SXblue GNSS receivers, enabling users to view and analyze the position data and metadata related to its location. The user can send commands that enable or disable some features, including systems in use, mask angle or differential angle, and constellation in use, including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and SBAS. The SXblue ToolBox is also an NTRIP client capable of connecting to a NTRIP server for real-time kinematic (RTK) corrections, allowing the receiver to issue very accurate location information. The application can record, save and transfer raw data from the GNSS receiver, allowing post-processing on computers for surveying and geomatics professionals.The toolbox has been developed with special consideration for modern mobile devices and attention to user and dealer feedback. It includes a series of configurable audible and visual alarms for determining the thresholds of the information provided by the SXblue GNSS receiver.
The Leica RTC360 laser scanner is equipped with edge computing technology to enable fast and accurate creation of 3D models in the field. It combines high-performance laser scanning, edge computing and mobile app technologies to preregister captured scans quickly and accurately. With the push of a button, two million points per second of high dynamic range imagery can be captured to create a full-dome scan in under two minutes. It features a visual inertial system that automatically tracks movements between setup positions. The scans captured can be combined and preregistered on a mobile device, where they can be viewed and augmented with information tags.
Location technology allows users to see rooms, gates and offices
Screenshot: Esri
ArcGIS Indoors is designed to enable interactive indoor mapping of corporate facilities, retail and commercial locations, airports, hospitals, event venues, universities and more. The solution applies the latest location technology to allow users to see and share where assets, rooms, departure gates and offices are located. It uses data streams, real-time processing and location intelligence tools to help businesses and other organizations understand how to better coordinate space and other resources with their facilities and campuses. Insights from sensor networks deliver real-time information to managers and executives through interactive dashboards, while visitors and employees can find useful information about the buildings they occupy. The solution also allows users to quickly access and explore critical business information, such as the location and status of fire extinguishers and their last inspection dates.
Meets demands for continuous, accurate vehicle location
The ASM330LHH module. (Photo: STMicroelectronics)
The automotive-grade ASM330LHH six-axis inertial sensor is designed for super-high-resolution motion tracking in advanced vehicle navigation and telematics applications. It lets advanced dead-reckoning algorithms calculate precise position from sensor data if satellite signals are blocked, such as in urban canyons, tunnels, covered roadways, parking garages or dense forests. Its advanced, low-noise, temperature-stable design enables dependable telematics services such as e-tolling, tele-diagnostics and e-Call assistance. Precision inertial data in six axes also meets the needs of advanced automated-driving systems. Automotive component manufacturer Magneti Marelli has selected the ASM330LHH for advanced telematics systems, to be fitted as original equipment by global automotive groups in upcoming vehicle ranges.
Esri and Waze smart cities partnership grows. (Image: Esri)
The free crowdsourced traffic and navigation app Waze is now fully supported by ArcGIS Online, where its live feed of mapped traffic alerts and other information, such as accidents, congestion and street damage, can be used in applications in minutes. Waze Live Alerts, available in ArcGIS Marketplace, is free to members of the Waze Connected Citizens Program. The program, a two-way sharing of publicly available traffic and road condition information, offers governments a stream of data, constantly updated in real time. This enables personnel to make data-driven infrastructure decisions and improves the efficiency of incident response.
Traffic engineers can use the data to analyze problems on the road and create targeted solutions.
Open-source platform for autonomous delivery and other iot
The AGL platform provides Mercedes-Benz Vans with the ability to create autonomous delivery robots. (Image: Daimler)
Automotive Grade Linux (AGL) is a collaborative cross-industry effort to develop an open platform for the connected car. Mercedes-Benz vans are using AGL as a foundation for a new onboard operating system for its commercial vehicles. The Mercedes-Benz “adVANce” initiative focuses on connectivity and internet of things (IoT) applications, innovative hardware solutions, new on-demand mobility and rental concepts, and fleet management solutions. The AGL platform provides Mercedes-Benz Vans with the flexibility to rapidly create tailored solutions for customers, including adding and connecting any kind of IoT component to the vehicle, such as sensors, automation controls and actuators. The new AGL-based operating system will debut on various Mercedes-Benz Vans prototype projects later this year.
eCyber is an integrated hardware-software product that protects vehicles against ransomware and other cyber-attacks. It can be installed in a vehicle by authorized parties, such as vehicle importers and fleet managers, in the aftermarket stage after the vehicle has left the factory, as well as by the OEM itself during manufacture. eCyber, a combined hardware and software solution in a compact box, is installed between the vehicle’s external communications device and the vehicle’s CAN (Controller Area Network) bus. It provides a secure gateway for outside communications to the CAN bus, allowing only communications with predefined parameters and values to go through. It blocks any unrecognized communications to and from the CAN bus, so no malicious digital communications can disrupt vehicle function.
Engineered for UAV-imaging missions, the iXM 100MP is a high-productivity metric camera with a range of high-resolution lenses. It is ready for integration with various UAV platforms, including Phase One’s DJI Matrice 600 Pro. The camera incorporates a medium-format sensor with backside-illumination technology, enabling high light sensitivity and extended dynamic range. Phase One also offers four new RSM lenses — with focal lengths ranging from 35mm to 150mm — to fit the new sensor’s 3.76 μm pixel size and 33 x 44 mm frame size. The lenses are available with either fixed-focus or motorized-focus functionality. The fixed-focus 35mm and 80mm lenses are especially suitable for surveying applications.
For quick approval of flights over controlled airspace
Screenshot: Skyward
Commercial drone operators in California and Hawaii — as well as a few areas in Nevada, Utah and Arizona — can get quickly authorized to fly in controlled airspace using the LAANC (Low Altitude Airspace Notification Capability) platform. Skyward is an FAA-approved airspace vendor. With Skyward, pilots with a Part 107 license can get permission to fly in regulated airspace in seconds compared to manual authorizations that can take months. This makes it significantly easier for businesses of all sizes, particularly in the construction and warehousing industries, to manage a fleet of drones to access valuable, cost-saving data. Skyward’s LAANC expansion includes airspace in the busy metro areas of Los Angeles, the Bay Area, San Diego, Las Vegas and more than 50 smaller air markets.
Oscilloquartz has launched its enhanced primary reference time clock (ePRTC) system to enable unprecedented timing accuracy and stability, even when the GNSS signal is lost.
The system provides a timing source for mission-critical transport systems, such as utility networks, government infrastructure and radio access networks, and provides the strict synchronization needed for LTE-A and 5G applications, the company said.
The Oscilloquartz 3230B.
Featuring the OSA 3230B ePRC atomic cesium clock connected to an Oscilloquartz clock combiner and grandmaster, the new solution offers the extremely stable frequency of a cesium clock with the UTC-traceable signal provided by GNSS.
When combined with the OSA 5430, the OSA ePRTC system provides full hardware redundancy and multiple fan-out options including PTP over 10Gbit/s.
“With our ePRTC system, we’re taking reliability and accuracy to the next level. This solution meets the requirements of next-generation mobile networks, offers the precise synchronization needed by many of today’s industries and removes vulnerability to GNSS outages,” said Gil Biran, general manager, Oscilloquartz.
The Oscilloquartz OSA 5430.
“Combining our advanced multi-constellation GNSS receiver with our atomic cesium clock technology creates an outstandingly accurate source of time with guaranteed holdover performance,” Biran said. “This provides vital protection against loss of satellite signal due to jamming, which can be a major problem.
“With the flexibility and redundancy of our OSA 5430, operators can deploy a precise, secure and robust UTC-traceable time and frequency source with high capacity. What’s more, the Syncjack sync probing and assurance technology embedded in our ePRTC enables detection and reporting of inconsistencies between the different references provided to the ePRTC as well as detection of the GNSS spoofing.”
GNSS interference concerns
The dangers of reliance on GNSS alone have become a serious concern across a wide range of industries. Without backup, loss of signal would have a profound impact on critical infrastructure, financial institutions, and military capabilities.
PTP packet-based mobile networks are also highly susceptible to outages unless they are able to hold time and maintain accuracy when GNSS is unavailable.
The OSA ePRTC system removes this vulnerability while delivering higher performance levels than standard PRTC systems and giving operators control of their network synchronization.
The solution comprises two OSA devices: an OSA 3230B ePRC cesium clock compliant to G.811.1 ePRC, which is connected to either an OSA 5421 or OSA 5430 clock combiner and grandmaster clock compliant to G.8272.1 ePRTC. This provides phenomenal holdover accurate to UTC within +/-100 nanoseconds for up to two weeks, ensuring resilience and optimized performance.
“Our OSA ePRTC system is about leveraging the advantages of both timing methods, ensuring the long-term accuracy of GNSS alongside the stability of a cesium beam atomic clock. It even provides major benefits when locked to GNSS by delivering a three-fold improvement in timing accuracy,” said Nir Laufer, product line director, Oscilloquartz.
“In recent years, we’ve seen a big increase in GNSS vulnerabilities due to deliberate spoofing and jamming attacks as well as the natural threats of solar flares and space weather events,” Laufer said. “From global data centers to government institutions, there’s now an urgent need to move away from reliance on GNSS alone. Ensuring backup is now a mandatory step towards secure synchronization. And with our OSA ePRTC, this can be achieved without adding a lot of cost and complexity. We’re giving operators peace of mind and the power to do more with existing infrastructure.”
Oscilloquartz has launched the OSA 5405 SyncReach, an integrated PTP grandmaster and GNSS receiver with a patent-pending dual antenna and receiver to enable the mass roll out of small cells.
The new technology has been specifically engineered to provide accurate and affordable phase synchronization for the rapidly growing small-cell market and meet the stringent timing requirements of 4.5G and 5G connectivity.
With the OSA 5405, operators can migrate from legacy GNSS RF antennas and cables to standard, cost-effective copper and fiber Ethernet cabling, reducing capital expenditure and operating expenses, Oscilloquartz said.
Available in both indoor and outdoor variants, the OSA 5405 can be deployed in challenging environments, including urban canyons where GPS signals fail. The OSA 5405’s miniscule form factor also enables it to be positioned on indoor windows to avoid multipath signal interference from objects within the building.
The OSA 5405 uses a unique dual GNSS antenna and receiver algorithm to mitigate interference from multipath signals that can affect accuracy, particularly in urban canyons, according to the company.
“We’re at the start of a new era. With the internet of things (IoT) connecting more wireless devices and 5G just around the corner, small cells will have a big role to play,” said Gil Biran, general manager at Oscilloquartz. “This market is set to grow exponentially in the next few years. Small cells will soon be everywhere and that makes precise synchronization essential. Operators urgently need a way to reliably and affordably deliver new levels of phase accuracy.
“We’ve created our OSA 5405 to effectively deliver small cell synchronization in any environment and eliminate all restrictions,” Biran said. “Our new technology radically simplifies GNSS antenna installation. The use of PTP removes the need to compensate for cable delay and extends the reach of GNSS. It enables operators to forget about archaic and expensive RF cables and use simple copper cabling or optical fiber for longer distances. And, with variants that can be positioned in almost any location, it provides strictly accurate timing precisely where it’s needed.”
The compact design and power-over-Ethernet capabilities of the indoor- or outdoor-mounted OSA 5405 enable synchronization at the edge of the mobile network. This creates dramatic reductions in complexity and power requirements as well as lower costs for installation and operation.
Another feature of the new technology is IP connectivity, so that synchronization becomes another element of the internet of things.
The OSA 5405’s highly precise GNSS-sourced synchronization is supported by network-based Sync-E and PTP backups. In high-rise buildings it can also deliver synchronization recovered from the GNSS smart receiver over optical fiber.
The ADVA FSP Network Manager with comprehensive Syncjack assurance guarantees efficient operation.
“Make no mistake; the launch of our OSA 5405 is a major milestone in the progress towards mass-scale small cell deployment,” said Nir Laufer, product line director at Oscilloquartz. “With its plug-and-play simplicity, miniscule form factor and multiple timing functions in a single device, this is a key technology for 5G networks and the IoT.
“Currently deployed in trials with major carriers, it will shortly be available to all operators looking to harness next-generation synchronization precisely where it’s needed,” Laufer said.
Oscilloquartz, an ADVA Optical Networking company, will showcase vital new functionality for its synchronization and distribution technology at the 2016 International Timing & Sync Forum (ITSF) in Prague, Nov. 1-3.
Demonstrations will reveal additional applications based on enhanced hardware and software in the OSA 5401 Syncplug, an ultra-compact Precision Time Protocol (PTP) grandmaster clock, and the OSA 5420 range of synchronization distribution and assurance devices optimized for edge deployment.
The new feature set includes the OSA 5401’s capability to be used as a boundary or slave clock and the OSA 5420 series’ availability as a one-box solution for all timing protocols. The advancements will improve accuracy, security and cost-efficiency and create new use cases and deployment scenarios for Oscilloquartz’s timing technology.
“With these latest innovations we can offer the ultimate timing solution. Thanks to improved security and resiliency, as well as different PTP profiles for different markets, our technology now caters for all synchronization requirements,” said Nir Laufer, director, product line management, Oscilloquartz.
“Our enhanced OSA 5401 small form-factor pluggable grandmaster will bring major benefits to network operators. Its new slave and boundary clock functionality enables it to be used as an add-on, creating a hybrid synchronization network,” Laufer said.
“Deployed this way, the OSA 5401 significantly reduces packet delay variation while taking up zero real estate and using very little power. It also protects against outages in the global navigation satellite system (GNSS), delivering superior frequency and phase with better resiliency throughout the network,” Laufer said.
Further enhancements to the OSA 5401 include Layer 3 multi-cast functionality for financial and enterprise applications, as well as remote authentication and logs for improved manageability and security.
Improvements have also been made to the OSA 5401’s GNSS capabilities, such as an elevation mask, a signal-to-noise ratio mask and fixed positioning, which enables more accurate time and frequency recovery, even in challenging environments such as urban canyon installations.
Upgrades to the OSA 5420 series mean that it can now function as a high-capacity Network Time Protocol (NTP) server or PTP grandmaster in the same device, or even over the same port. What’s more, it can now support different types of line cards, including multiple 1Gbit/s ports used for PTP, NTP and Sync-E, as well as BITS, pulse-per-second, time-of-day and clock interfaces.
This single box for all synchronization applications dramatically reduces cost and enables customers to protect their investment in NTP while planning future migration toward PTP.
“We’re excited to present our latest advancements to the industry at ITSF. Our demos will show that we’ve created a complete synchronization solution — a family of devices that makes precise, resilient and affordable timing available for every industry,” said Gil Biran, general manager, Oscilloquartz.
“With the OSA 5420 range, we’ve taken the Swiss army knife strategy even further, so that a single device now supports all sync technologies. It gives operators a one-box solution for overlay networks with different requirements,” Biran said. “With its NTP server and GNSS receiver capability, including multiple legacy and next-generation synchronization fan-out options, our OSA 5420 series is ideal for deployment in legacy synchronization architectures. It also offers the freedom to locate sync devices at any point in the network, which further reduces capital and operational expenditure.”
Oscilloquartz, an ADVA Optical Networking company, has launched its OSA 5401 Syncplug, an accurate and efficient small-form-factor pluggable grandmaster clock and GNSS receiver.
The device has a small footprint and compact design. It complements the existing portfolio of Oscilloquartz products, driving precise IEEE 1588v2 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) frequency and phase synchronization as well as Synchronous Ethernet deeper into access networks, including radio access and small cell networks.
With its miniature form factor and low-touch provisioning, the new synchronization solution can be deployed in space-restrictive environments. It operates at low cost, consumes minimal energy and requires no additional power source or real estate, Oscilloquartz said.
The OSA 5401 Syncplug supports the creation of a new time distribution architecture to meet the stringent phase-synchronization requirements of today’s access networks, the company said.
“In terms of efficiency, precision and density of design, our OSA 5401 Syncplug miniature grandmaster is a major development for our industry,” said Kenneth Hann, senior director, R&D, Oscilloquartz. “It’s possibly the world’s smallest grandmaster clock and yet it generates phenomenally precise PTP frequency and phase synchronization for radio access and small cell networks. Now network operators have a cost-effective migration path for deploying robust phase and frequency synchronization deeper into access networks. Our OSA 5401 Syncplug integrates with existing network elements and its small form factor and rich feature set enable a versatile range of deployment options for enhanced synchronization network performance. Its timing-optimized, dual-frequency GNSS receiver achieves excellent performance even in urban canyons where small-cell deployments are often made and it can also work with a single satellite.”
The OSA 5401 Syncplug is the first new product to be jointly engineered by Oscilloquartz and members of the recently acquired Time4 Systems. It easily conforms to all relevant PTP telecom profiles and, when locked to global navigation systems, meets the stringent requirements of G.8272 and G.811 specifications. The device functions as a Synchronous Ethernet source, GNSS receiver and a grandmaster clock. It can support both Layer 2 and Layer 3 PTP transport and is capable of unicasting and multicasting simultaneously. Advanced design and network redundancy techniques provide resiliency against local GNSS jamming. It also boasts an impressively wide operational temperature range of -40 to 85 Celsius. But the key benefits that the OSA 5401 Syncplug provides are space and energy efficiency for significant savings in installation and engineering costs. It also fully complies with multi-source agreements for total interoperability.
“An enormous amount of expertise and passion has gone into designing this device. It’s been driven by our strategic understanding of what’s most needed in the synchronization space,” said Gil Biran, general manager, Oscilloquartz.
“This first member of our miniature sync product family has already won great feedback from major mobile operators. What makes our ultra-compact OSA 5401 Syncplug so special is that it combines small size with high performance,” Biran said. “Make no mistake, there’s a vast amount of advanced functionality squeezed into this device. That’s what enables it to deliver highly accurate timing distribution with the smallest available footprint. This level of agility and efficiency creates a new range of solutions for service providers to deploy phase synchronization even in the most difficult network scenarios. There’s no doubt that this is an exciting time for network synchronization technology and this new product will extend our position in the market as a one-stop shop for all synchronization solutions. The new generation of mobile networks demands more small cells and a higher density of radio heads and we’re addressing this challenge in the most energy-efficient and cost-effective way possible.”
Watch ADVA Optical Networking’s latest video on assisted partial timing support for more information.
