The electrical grid of any nation and its infrastructure relies on the accuracy of time. But pervasive cybersecurity threatens the safety and stability of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) which is used by all nations to synchronize the time. Therefore, maintaining stability and having an alternative time system is crucial to national security.
Microchip Technologies has announced the fully integrated precise time scale system, which can act as a backup and enables nations to operate independent time scale back-up to GNSS to protect critical infrastructure. The PTSS is a world-class timing system that is traceable to Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) and not dependent on GNSS, it is a fully integrated system capable of providing timing accuracies comparable to the world’s best national laboratories.
According to the company, the PTSS is capable of providing nations, institutions, critical infrastructure operators and scientific labs with complete control over the time source that their infrastructure depends on.
The core products integrated into the PTSS are:
• SyncSystem 4380A Time Scale Edition
• Time Scale Orchestrator
• 5071A Cesium Clock Primary Frequency Standard and MHM 2020 Active Hydrogen Maser
This new product offers nations the ability to independently and efficiently operate their own time scale system—aligned to UTC as calculated by the Bureau International des Poids et Measure (BIPM)—within the borders of their country.
“Microchip’s Precise Time Scale System provides a high-quality back-up or alternative to GNSS as a source of time, which can be distributed through eLoran, IEEE 1588 over fiber, two-way time transfer, and other methods,” said Randy Brudzinski, vice president, Microchip’s frequency and time systems business unit. “By implementing an autonomous time source, a nation can control and leverage time as a utility to safeguard critical infrastructure including its transportation, financial sector, communications and power utilities.”
The company says that the Precise Time Scale System is a custom solution designed to customer requirements and consists of all the four core products which include the SyncSystem 4380A Time Scale Edition, Time Scale Orchestrator, 5071A Cesium Clock Primary Frequency Standard and MHM 2020 Hydrogen Active Masers.
