SynchroNet is a GNSS based time and frequency transfer system that allows
to exploit high accuracy synchronization of accurate clocks
A central issue in designing complex
networked systems for critical
applicative domains is the possibility
of keeping each node of the network
synchronized with respect to a given
system time scale. The problem is even
more critical when the synchronization
accuracy determines directly the
performances of the whole system. In
this paper a distributed synchronization
infrastructure is proposed providing:
• high accuracy synchronization
performances (nano and pico seconds)
• flexible and scalable service
topology (up to global scale)
• ease of integration in preexistent
infrastructures
• ease of customization, both at user
level and at system level, in terms
of performances and security.
Introduction
High performance synchronization
is a fundamental feature in many
applicative domains, in particular
it may be directly bounded to:
• Positioning, localization and
range based applications
• Complex monitoring and
control systems spanning
wide inter-node baselines
• Financial transactions
• Distributed
production lines
• Power distribution lines
• Environmental monitoring
systems for SoL and civil
protection applications
and, in general, to
every, heavily loaded,
time-tagging based
distributed system.
SynchroNet is an innovative
system, patented by Thales
Alenia Space Italia, that aims to be the sole solution for every
application type which needs an highaccurate
synchronization covering all
levels of performance and coverage
requirements with the added value
of the ease of integration also in preexistent
infrastructures and systems.
Therefore, SynchroNet is able to
cover, with a complete, flexible
and high-performance product, the
synchronization needs of a wide range
market for any application domain.
Gnss Based Synchronization
In metrology, the synchronization of two
clocks is the process required to determine
the relative behavior of one clock with
respect to the other. In particular clock
synchronization can be defined as the
process required to compute at least two
parameters: time offset and time drift.
Time offset is the relative, instantaneous,
difference between the two time scales
(i.e. the phase offset) divergence trend of
the two clocks (i.e. the frequency offset).
It should be noted that, if the relative
behavior of the two clocks is known, they
can be considered synchronized even if
no physical adjustment is carried out.
While synchronizing two co-located
clocks could be as easy as measuring
1PPS offsets over time by mean of an
accurate Time Interval Counter (TIC),
synchronizing several kilometers
away clocks with nanosecond
accuracy and precision performances
could be much more difficult.
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