Robust Timing Subsystem - Generating the Next Generation Timing Signal

Peter A. Krauss, Alexander Zenzinger, Stephan Fischer

Abstract:	The innovative Robust Timing Subsystem (RTS) is a further development of existing satellite based Clock Monitoring and Control Unit (CMCU). It provides detection, isolation and recovery of Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard (RAFS) and Passive Hydrogen Maser (PHM) clock faults by ensemble algorithms to increase availability and reliability. It fits into a space qualified FPGA without the need to utilize software running a micro controller. Efficient algorithms have been combined in a simulation and hardware control toolbox. With their help, clock jumps are detected and compensated before the RTS performance and its output signal is impacted. Corresponding integrity flags and housekeeping telemetry are provided to the monitoring Remote Terminal Unit (RTU). Clocks can be seamlessly switched in or out of the RTS ensemble, either automatically or under control of the RTU. The RTS controller can be implemented in VHDL or be Microcontroller based, if greater flexibility is needed. The RTS hardware and algorithms capabilities can be used both for generating the Robust Timing Signal (ID32 of the GNSS Evolution Programme (EGEP), [03]) and for the Clock Integrity Monitoring (ID31 of EGEP), [04]). The RTS hardware and algorithms meet next generation performance requirements.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 27th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS+ 2014) September 8 - 12, 2014 Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida
Pages:	3380 - 3388
Cite this article:	Krauss, Peter A., Zenzinger, Alexander, Fischer, Stephan, "Robust Timing Subsystem - Generating the Next Generation Timing Signal," Proceedings of the 27th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS+ 2014), Tampa, Florida, September 2014, pp. 3380-3388.
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