Accuracy in Timekeeping - Atomic Clocks and Time Servers

The development of atomic clocks throughout the twentieth century has been fundamental to many of the technologies we use every day. Without atomic clocks of many innovations of the twentieth century, simply does not exist.

Satellite communications, global positioning, computer networks and even on the Internet would not be able to function in the way we are accustomed, if not for atomic clocks and ultra-precise timing.

The watches are incredibly accurate atomic clocks without losing a second for millions of years. Compared digital watches can lose seconds every week and most accurate mechanical clocks complex of losing even more time.

The reason for the incredible precision of atomic clock is based on an oscillation of a single atom. A swing is just a vibration to a level of energy, particularly in the case of most atomic clocks are based on the resonance of the cesium atom, which oscillates exactly 9192631770 times a second.

Many technologies now have precise atomic clocks for their unbridled. Installation worldwide is a perfect example. GPS satellites are all on an atomic clock and it is this information that allows the synchronization of work placement. As the GPS satellites and transmit radio waves travel at the speed of light inaccuracies (180,000 miles per second in vacuum), tiny time could provide inaccurate positioning of hundreds of kilometers.

Another application that requires the use of atomic clocks in computer networks. When computers can communicate with each other throughout the world, it is essential that everyone uses the same source of synchronization. If this does not happen in time-sensitive transactions such as shopping the Internet, online reservations, the stock market and also send an e-mail would be almost impossible. E-mail arrive before they were sent and the same article on a website for Internet purchases could be sold for more than one person.

For this reason, a complete schedule called UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) according to the time indicated by the atomic clocks has been developed. UTC is expressed through the network time server. Most time servers use NTP (Network Time Protocol) to distribute and synchronize networks.

NTP time servers can receive UTC time from a variety of sources in most cases the atomic clocks on board GPS system can be used as a source for the server UTC time connected to a GPS antenna.

Another method that is commonly used by NTP time server is to use the radio long wave of national physics laboratories of various countries. While not available everywhere and very sensitive to local topography emissions to provide a secure way to receive the source of synchronization.

If none of these methods is available, a UTC timing source may be received from the Internet Despite the accuracy and security are not guaranteed.