Atomic Clock Systems

An atomic clock is a source of highly accurate time. There are different types of atomic clock, mostly in laboratories: cesium clocks, watches and clocks rubidium hydrogen. Most commercially available systems atomic clock synchronization time using a radio or GPS time signal that connects to a precise point of reference. In this way, a highly accurate source of time is easily accessible for users of all days, excluding the costs of installing expensive equipment and complex.

This article provides an overview of atomic clock systems with particular emphasis on their use with NTP server systems for the PC and computer network time synchronization.

Atomic Clock Radio time references

Time Radio broadcasts as MSF-60 (UK), DCF-77 (Germany) and WWVB (U.S.) time signals broadcast highly accurate time information from a radio transmitter. The transmission times are derived from an atomic clock time reference and can be caught by equipment timing of a radio receiver at low cost. MSF-60 radio signal is transmitted from Rugby in the UK, with coverage of the British Isles and throughout most of northern Europe. The DCF-77 time signal is broadcast from Frankfurt, Germany, and covers most of central Europe. While the WWVB signal is transmitted from Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.

MSF-60 time of transmission

MSF-60 time is a time of signal transmission along the radio signal to 60kHz in Rugby, England. The radio signal is maintained by the Engineering Services BT. MSF-60 time signal is generated by highly accurate atomic clocks located at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). When decoded, it is a very precise timing reference for NTP server reference clock timing and other computer equipment.

DCF-77 time transmission

The DCF-77 time is a signal of long-time antenna shortwave radio signals from 77.5kHz Mainflingen, near Frankfurt, Germany. The radio signal is maintained by T-Systems, a division Deuche Telecom, and has been in operation since 1959. The DCF-77 signal is generated by highly accurate atomic clocks located at the German National Physics Laboratory. When decoded, is a very specific reference to the timing and clock synchronization computer.

WWVB transmission time

The WWVB time signal that continuously transmits signals in time and frequency of 60 kHz from Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. The time reference is managed by the U. S. National Institute of Standards and Technology. WWVB has provided continuous time and frequency transmissions since 1962. It provides a time reference with an accuracy of less than 100 microseconds.

GPS Atomic Clock Time Reference

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a U.S. military for navigation in the world. The system consists of 24 satellites in orbit, each satellite is equipped with an extremely accurate atomic clock on board in time synchronized to UTC. The satellites continuously broadcast time and position information. The time and location information can be obtained throughout the world with a GPS receiver and antenna. The GPS works continuously in any whether conditions, anywhere in the world. Expenditure addition, there is no fee or subscription to use GPS systems. Timing Many computer systems and NTP server systems use the GPS as a precise reference to external calendar. GPS timing is generally much more accurate radio-based time references.

Computer Time Synchronization

Now computer firm timetable can be obtained by combining a GPS or radio time with a RS232 or USB. Driver software can be installed on the host PC to obtain the correct time and synchronize the system time on the host PC. Most PC operating systems can be synchronized, including Microsoft Windows 2000, 2003 and XP, Linux, UNIX and Novell. In many cases, the time system of the host computer can be synchronized to within microseconds of the correct time.

Network Time Synchronization

The standard protocol for time synchronization computer network is the Network Time Protocol (NTP). NTP is the standard way of allocation of time on the Internet and other networks. Stratum 1 NTP servers obtain time from an external reference time, such as GPS, MSF-60, WWVB or DCF-77. Time external reference is then used to synchronize the system time to NTP server. Synchronize the system time is then used by the NTP server to distribute the correct time to time the network clients on an IP network. NTP operates in a hierarchical bottom stratum NTP servers obtain time from device level.

NTP server systems can synchronize in a few microseconds of the correct time. According to the network traffic, the client NTP for time synchronization of a few milliseconds of an NTP server.