GPS World

Tag: time and frequency

  • UK invests in satellite timing infrastructure to strengthen national PNT resilience

    UK invests in satellite timing infrastructure to strengthen national PNT resilience

    GMV is leading the development of a secure two-way satellite time and frequency transfer system under the European Space Agency’s TOUCAN project.

    The initiative safeguards critical infrastructure by reducing reliance on GNSS and enhancing national positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) capabilities.
    Funded by the UK Space Agency through its membership in ESA’s Navigation Innovation and Support Program (NAVISP), the project is an important part of the UK Government’s Framework for Greater PNT Resilience.

    Through a competitive process, GMV was selected to enhance the UK’s national capabilities in delivering nationally assured, secure and continuous PNT services for critical infrastructure, defense and the broader economy.

    TOUCAN, the two-way satellite time and frequency transfer capability demonstration (TWSTFT), will draw on GMV’s expertise in time transfer and system-level engineering, reinforcing the company’s role in supporting the government’s PNT resilience efforts.

    “ TOUCAN represents a strategic milestone for GMV. It underscores our commitment to delivering cutting-edge, nationally assured, PNT solutions that are vital to the UK’s critical infrastructure and national security,” said Mark Dumville, general manager of GMV in the UK.

    eLoran support

    TOUCAN complements efforts to reestablish a UK eLoran system, which will serve as a terrestrial backup to satellite-based services. A critical goal is to ensure that this system operates independently of the more vulnerable GNSS.

    The project’s primary objective is to establish an accurate, independently verifiable TWSTFT link between the eLoran transmitter and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the UK’s official timekeeping authority. The new link will address GNSS-dependence within eLoran, maintaining a time traceable to UTC (NPL).

    In addition, the system will provide a TWSTFT connection to a facility that operates an R&D timescale, a secure reference that will one day be essential for synchronizing operations, maintaining communication integrity, and supporting mission-critical systems.

    “Precise and secure timing is at the heart of so much we rely on every day, from banking and transport to energy and communications,” said Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency. “This investment in UK satellite timing through TOUCAN is about more than technology; it’s about protecting the everyday services people and businesses depend on. By working with GMV, the PNT Office and ESA’s NAVIS program, we’re helping to build a stronger, more resilient space ecosystem that safeguards our security and keeps the UK at the forefront of innovation.

    GMV is delivering the design, integration and operational demonstration of the system, building on its proven track record in delivering secure national timing products and infrastructure. Project partner Viasat is supplying satellite bandwidth, as well as supporting GMV in analyzing innovative TWSTFT technology evolutions.

  • Trimble to divest four businesses to The Jordan Company

    Trimble to divest four businesses to The Jordan Company

    Logo: TrimbleTrimble announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Time and Frequency, LOADRITE, Spectra Precision Tools and SECO accessories businesses to Precisional LLC, an affiliate of The Jordan Company (TJC).

    The divestiture is in line with Trimble’s strategy to focus on areas core to its long-term growth and strategic product roadmap. The global transaction is subject to a number of customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022. Financial terms were not disclosed.

    “We are continually evaluating our product portfolio as we work on the execution of Trimble’s Connect and Scale 2025 strategy,” said Rob Painter, president and CEO of Trimble. “Trimble is focusing its efforts on the company’s connected industry platforms and digital transformation capabilities, making Precisional and TJC an ideal fit for the growth of the businesses.”

    TJC, a private equity firm, is completing the acquisition in partnership with industry executive Drew Ladau to form Precisional LLC, a global platform focused on precision measurement and data solutions driving efficiencies in demanding infrastructure end markets.

    “The Trimble businesses, which will join Precisional, have a long heritage of innovation, and each is a leader in the markets it serves,” said Drew Ladau, CEO of Precisional. “I’m excited to build upon this strong foundation alongside the dedicated employees that have served their customers so well over the years. In addition, we plan to accelerate the pace of innovation and growth with the focus of resources and investment on these core businesses supported by TJC.”

    “The acquisition of four industry-leading businesses from Trimble by Precisional forms the foundation of a new platform focused on precise measurement and analytical insights to improve productivity across a broad range of applications that rely upon accuracy and reliability,” said Erik Fagan, partner at TJC. “By supporting existing management to make investments in Precisional’s operations and product development to integrate precision measurement with data solutions and enhanced connectivity, we intend to accelerate growth opportunities while also pursuing synergistic acquisitions.”

    The Time and Frequency products use the accuracy of GNSS clocks to provide precise time, synchronization and frequency reference signals for many industries and applications. Communication systems, data centers, financial networks, utilities, factory automation, security and other infrastructure rely on precise timing for synchronization and operational efficiency.

    The Spectra Precision Tools business designs and manufactures high-quality leveling, positioning and alignment instruments used for general, exterior and underground construction. The instruments incorporate laser and optical technology for general contractors and specialty contractors serving large and small commercial jobsites as well as residential builders and remodelers.

    The LOADRITE business offers accurate scales for loaders, excavators, conveyor belts, tractors, refuse trucks and forklifts that connect with payload-reporting and monitoring systems for the waste, quarry and aggregates industry. The products improve user efficiency by weighing products while they are on a vehicle or belt, eliminating the need for a separate trip to a fixed-scale location.

    The SECO business designs and manufactures a wide variety of accessory products used in conjunction with surveying and construction instruments. The portfolio of accessory products includes tripods, telescopic poles, prisms, carrying cases, GPS antenna poles, safety vests and leveling rods.

    LOADRITE, Spectra Precision Tools and the SECO businesses have been reported as part of Trimble’s Buildings and Infrastructure segment. The Time and Frequency business has been reported as part of Trimble’s Geospatial segment.

    Orrick acted as legal advisor and Lincoln International acted as financial advisor to Trimble. Mayer Brown acted as legal advisor and BMO Capital Markets acted as financial advisor to TJC.

  • EndRun introduces compact, high-performance time and frequency standard

    EndRun introduces compact, high-performance time and frequency standard

    New GPS-synchronized Ninja Precision Timing Module provides a myriad of time and frequency outputs with high performance in a small, low-power platform.

    Photo: EndRun
    Photo: EndRun

    EndRun Technologies, a provider of precision time and frequency solutions, has released the high-performance Ninja Precision Timing Module (PTM). The third-generation Ninja — optimized for size, weight and power (SWaP) — can be easily integrated into 1U host systems or deployed as a cost-effective standalone solution.

    The resilient GPS-synchronized Ninja is based on the core of EndRun’s Meridian II Precision TimeBase instrument. Up to nine optional, user configurable, time and frequency outputs are available with accuracy, stability and ultra-low phase noise. Ninja’s network interface includes a robust Network Time Protocol (NTP) server as well as secure management.

    Three OCXO reference oscillators are available to meet price-performance requirements. Advanced users can optimize Ninja with EndRun’s innovative Real-Time Ionospheric Corrections (RTIC) to directly measure and compensate for ionospheric delay of received GPS signals in real-time.

    “The Ninja Precision Timing Module is another breakthrough solution from EndRun that provides an abundance of outputs in a small form factor without compromising performance,” said Michael Korreng, senior R&D engineer, EndRun Technologies. “The high-level of integration and output versatility readily integrates into many mission critical applications including SATCOM, tactical communications, signal intelligence, security camera synchronization, digital broadcast, network synchronization, range timing, and many more.”

    Key Ninja performance specifications with Ultra-Stable OCXO, Real-Time Ionospheric Corrections, and calibration are:

    • Time accuracy of <10 nanoseconds RMS to UTC(USNO)
    • Frequency accuracy better than 4×10-14 (100k second average)
    • Short-term stability 4.0×10-13 at 1 second
    • Ultra-low phase noise 10 MHz (<-110 dBc @ 1 Hz offset)
    • Programmable Pulse Rates from 1 PPS to 10 MPPS
    • Ethernet port with a Stratum 1 NTP server (2500 packets per second)
    • IEEE 1588 PTP grandmaster option (future release)
    • Low power (<6 watts) with 9-18 VDC input. (External AC/DC supply available)
    • Chassis: 1.5”H x 4.44”W x 5.3”D

    The Ninja PTM is available now.

  • Microsemi enhances SyncServer S600 server for Ethernet networks, satellite uplinks

    Microsemi Corporation is offering new hardware and software options for its SyncServer S600 series of time servers and instruments. The enhancements improve time synchronization over enterprise Ethernet networks and supply timing signals for improved military radar operations and satellite uplink communications.

    “The SyncServer S600 series provides highly accurate, reliable and secure time for a variety of applications, not the least of which are the extremely precise low phase noise 10-MHz signals used in military radars and satellite uplinks,” said Paul Skoog, senior product line manager at Microsemi. “We’re committed to helping our customers improve the performance of their systems by improving the performance of ours. These high-quality timing signals enable radars to track difficult targets as well as to improve the quality and data throughput of satellite communications systems.”

    Enterprise and financial customers also look to the SyncServer S600 series to meet the timing and synchronization needs of their rapidly evolving networks, particularly for compliance purposes such as the European MiFID II directive, which specifies highly stringent time accuracy requirements for stock trading systems.

    Also applicable for laboratories and test and measurement companies, this latest release of Microsemi’s S600 hardware and software includes support for the IEEE 1588 multiport, multi-profile Precision Time Protocol (PTP), which allows the S600 to operate as an independent grandmaster clock on each Ethernet port — delivering cost savings and network deployment flexibility to customers. This is coupled with a new 10GbE interface to easily interoperate with a wider variety of network and stock trading topologies.

    The newly enhanced SyncServer S600 and S650 can be equipped with two 10 GbE Ethernet small form-factor pluggable (SFP+) ports for customers needing to maximize PTP grandmaster performance in a cost-effective 1 rack unit (1U) chassis.

    In addition, the S650 can measure the accuracy of PTP hardware slaves that are synchronized to the S650 grandmaster by way of a new external 1 pulse per second measurement option.

    The combination of these devices’ new hardware and software features support Microsemi’s expanding leadership position as a cost-effective enterprise PTP grandmaster provider delivering accurate and reliable time to critical systems.

    Microsemi’s SyncServer S600 series meets the time and frequency requirements of multiple vertical markets, particularly the global military radar market, which is estimated to reach $10 billion by 2024 with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6 percent between 2016 and 2024 according to market research firm Variant Market Research.

    The firm also identifies how radar in military applications is widely used for air traffic control, early warning detection of missiles, navigation at sea and surveillance of air and ground. The versatile SyncServer S600 series meets the needs of today’s demanding timing requirements and scales to meet the needs of the future.

  • Microsemi SyncServer incorporates SAASM for defense market

    Microsemi SyncServer incorporates SAASM for defense market

    Microsemi Corporation’s new SyncServer S650 SAASM server incorporates a Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM).

    The SAASM capability provides a highly secure, accurate and flexible time and frequency platform for synchronizing mission-critical electronics systems and instrumentation applications in the defense market, such as satellite communications and defense operational infrastructure, the company said.

    Military Grade. The new SyncServer S650 SAASM, designed for use by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and other government agencies as well as their approved suppliers, received the GPS Directorate Security Approval to incorporate a military-grade, GPS SAASM receiver module.

    Microsemi SyncServer S650 SAASM Time and Frequency Server.

    This enables U.S. armed forces to confidently deploy features of Microsemi’s popular commercial SyncServer S650 in a military-grade configuration. In addition, the integrated SAASM module adheres to industry standards allowing for a migration path to GPS Military Code (M-code) support.

    “Our key military and DOD-related customers require flexible, secure and extremely reliable time and frequency technology for their most critical applications, which they have come to rely upon from Microsemi. Enabling support for SAASM provides the extra security and reliability necessary for this market,” said Randy Brudzinski, vice president and business unit manager of the Frequency and Timing Division at Microsemi. “The addition of the SyncServer S650 SAASM to our product line further demonstrates Microsemi’s commitment to providing the highest quality time and frequency technology in support of vital government programs.”

    The SyncServer S650 SAASM is a highly versatile time and frequency system with the company’s FlexPort technology for multiport, user-definable output signal configurations for time codes, pulses and a variety of signal types essential for system synchronization.

    This makes the SyncServer S650 SAASM ideal for DoD electronics system engineers synchronizing mission-critical, system-level instruments. This is coupled with Microsemi’s NTP Reflector technology for robust security, accuracy and reliability of network-based time services such as Network Time Protocol (NTP) and Precision Time Protocol (PTP).

    Resilience to Threats. According to a 2017 GNSS Market Report, global navigation satellite system (GNSS) jamming and spoofing are specifically identified as increasing and notable cybersecurity threats to critical infrastructure.

    Furthermore, resilience to these threats has become mandatory by critical infrastructure policy makers and GNSS receiver manufacturers. Without the use of SAASM technology in the presence of these threats, deliberate or unintentional, the most mission-critical systems operated by the DOD may be subject to the side effects of degraded time and frequency performance.

    Microsemi’s new SyncServer S650 SAASM is designed to generate precise time and frequency signals to synchronize high bandwidth mission-critical communications systems and critical infrastructure requiring the highest levels of security support.

    In addition to offering superior low phase noise performance, the device is compliant with the Joint Chiefs of Staff SAASM GPS mandate and developed for authorized military users only.

  • Septentrio launches PolaRx5TR GNSS receiver for timing

    Septentrio launches PolaRx5TR GNSS receiver for timing

    The Septentrio PolaRx5TR.
    The Septentrio PolaRx5TR.

    Septentrio has launched its most advanced GNSS receiver for dedicated time and frequency transfer applications, the PolaRx5TR.

    The PolaRx5TR is the newest addition to Septentrio’s PolaRx product line of GNSS receivers, which led to the selection of Septentrio as preferred vendor for reference stations to UNAVCO for 2015-2018.

    The PolaRx5TR has 544 hardware channels and supports all major satellite constellations including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS and IRNSS.

    A calibration circuit is incorporated into the PolaRx5TR to measure and compensate for the internal delay. This feature removes the need for calibration using external equipment and ensures measurement latching is always accurately synchronized with the PPS input.

    Septentrio’s newest receiver is compliant with the new-format CGGTTS version V2E of Consultative Committee for Time and Frequency (CCTF) recommendations. Also included as standard is Septentrio’s Advanced Interference Mitigation (AIM+) technology, giving outstanding interference robustness in difficult radio environments. Furthermore, up to eight independent logging sessions can be configured logging to either the 16-GB internal memory or to an externally connected device.

    “Septentrio’s timing receivers have established themselves as trusted market leaders for time and frequency transfer applications,” said Francesca Clemente, product manager for the PolaRx product line. “The PolaRx5TR continues in this tradition with updated GNSS technology, compliance to new standards set by CCTF and an auto-calibration feature reducing initial setup times.”