Common Time Reference Technology for Systems Inter-Operability

R.L. Beard, J.D. White

Abstract:	The Global Positioning System has become the primary and most accurate means of disseminating time and frequency information. A growing and diverse mix of military positioning, communication, sensor, and data processing systems are using precise time and frequency from GPS. The precise accuracies required for their operation are also becoming more stringent. A new system architecture for providing a Common Time Reference to the operating forces and their related subsystems is being developed. This architecture is to provide a robust enhancement to implementations of GPS time and frequency subsystems. Through its implementation, inter-operability between systems is enabled by providing a Common Time Reference and the means for systems to operate synchronously as a foundation for common interfaces and data exchange. The Common Time Reference approach and its relationship to present GPS time and frequency usage will be described to show the concept and approach of this architecture. A robust architecture utilizing distributed time standards and existing standards within individual systems is to provide new capabilities for existing fielded systems without the impact of requiring major retrofit. This combination of enabling existing and new resources to be utilized in a common reference will reduce the sensitivity to GPS anomalies and lack of continuous contact for precise updating. These systems would then be interconnected at the fundamental level of internal time and frequency generation, which would provide an inherent basis for functional inter-operability. The elements necessary for implementation of this architecture with generic systems will be discussed. Technical developments necessary for implementation of the concept and the impact on inter-operability will be discussed.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 32th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting November 28 - 30, 2000 Hyatt Regency Reston Town Center Reston, Virginia
Pages:	367 - 388
Cite this article:	Beard, R.L., White, J.D., "Common Time Reference Technology for Systems Inter-Operability," Proceedings of the 32th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting, Reston, Virginia, November 2000, pp. 367-388.
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