GPS timing

The Global Positioning System is able to provide very accurate time-keeping.

Each satellite that orbits the earth contains four atomic clocks which transmit location data back to earth. This data is modulated on the carrier frequency and repeated at very precise and controlled time intervals which are regulated by the on-board atomic clocks. [ [http://www.trimble.com/tmg_perfecttiming.shtml Perfect Timing] ] On earth, Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers obtain and decode these signal frequencies and effectively synchronise themself to the atomic clocks on board the satellite vehicles. Atomic clocks are synchronised to UTC, which is better than 100 nanoseconds.

Even low cost GPS receivers can obtain the accuracy of atomic clocks and synchronise the time data they receive to UTC [ [http://www.endruntechnologies.com/timingspec.htm End Run Technologies] ] .

Uses of accurate timing

The uses of accurate timing are many, and are becoming rapidly integrated into many of today’s applications where timing accuracy and security are critical. [ [http://www.trimble.com/tmg_perfecttiming.shtml Trimble] ]

These applications include:

Wireless Technology

Precise synchronisation is vital in today's wireless infrastructure, allowing the flow and control of data to enable faster speeds and efficient use of available bandwidth.huh Possibly most importantly, precision timing is implemented in the Telco base-stations and are the reason calls are connected so promptly, and a user can travel a great distance, swapping base-stations along the way, without dropping the call.

Electric utilities

Companies that supply power to cities and entire countries rely on precise timing to ensure power grids are successfully synchronised and population consumption can be measured precisely to the microsecond (with GPS timing providing an accuracy of around 1 to 10 milliseconds). [ [http://www.symmttm.com/gps-timing.html Symmttm.com] ]

Business and finance

GPS Timing is also applied in organisations to avoid opening unwanted network ports and exposing a company. The atomic clock timing coming from the satellites offers a direct, accurate and secure connection from UTC to the organisations internal network firewall. This provides essential timestamp accuracy for a time server of typically 1 microsecond to UTC. [ [http://www.symmttm.com/gps-timing.html Symmtton.com] ] Banking institutions and Foreign Exchange networks rely heavily on precision timing so a stock order placed on one side of the globe can be received almost instantly in New Yorks, Wall Street, at the same market price, without losing any valuable data along the way. Timing, synchronisation and security are paramount when dealing with digital monetary transactions, where great losses could be sustained if any data is lost, or 2 points do not synchronise simultaneously.

Other

Accurate GPS timing also diminishes the need for dial-up connections, which enables a company to avoid a potential security risk. It opens and closes network ports instantly, eliminating the risk of intruders entering unlawfully.

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