The Atomic Clock Systems

Well, atomic clocks are very precise time sources. Atomics clocks are of different kinds, a great deal of them can be seen in laboratories: Rubidium, Hydrogen, and Caesium Clocks. Several atomic clock time-coordination systems that are on offer use a GPS or a radio time signal, connected with a precise time source. Thus, an extremely precise time source is promptly obtainable by daily users, without having to invest money in setting up equipment that is both costly and intricate.

Radio Atomic Clock

Now time sources radio time broadcasts like the U.S. WWVB, German DCF-77, and U.K. MSF-60 time signals transmit very precise time data by means of a radio transmitter. These time broadcasts are obtained from the atomic clock time source, and can be picked up by timing devices by means of an inexpensive radio receiver. MSF-60 signal is broadcast from Rugby, situated in the U.K., and it can be picked up by the entire British Isles and most parts of North-West Europe. Next, the DCF-77 signal that is broadcast from Frankfurt in Germany is received by many parts of Central Europe. Lastly, WWVB signal is broadcast from Fort Collins located in Colorado in America.

MSF-60 Time Transmission

At 60 kHz, this long wave radio time signal is sent out from Rugby located in the U.K. BT Engineering Services maintains this radio signal. Highly precise atomic clocks within NPL or National Physics Laboratory produce the MSF-60 signal. When interpreted, it gives a very precise timing source for reference clocks, NTP servers, and several other computer-timing devices.

DCF-77 Time Transmission

At 77.5 kHz, this long-wave radio time signal is sent out from Mainflingen, close to Frankfurt in Germany. A sub-sector of Deuche Telecom, T-Systems maintains this radio signal, which has been operating since 1959. This DCF-77 signal is produced by very precise atomic clocks within the German National Physics Laboratory. After it is deciphered, it gives an extremely precise timing source for computer timing devices and clocks.

WWVB Time Transmission

This time signal constantly transmits at 60 kHz, time as well as frequency signals, from Fort Collins located in Colorado in the U.S. The US National Institute of Standards and Technology maintains this time source. Since 1962, WWVB has made available nonstop time as well as frequency broadcasts. This signal makes available a timing source that gives below 100 microseconds accuracy.

GPS Atomic Clock Time Reference

Now the GPS or Global Positioning System is an American military system for global navigation. This system has twenty-four orbiting satellites and each satellite is equipped with an extremely precise atomic clock that is coordinated to UTC time. These satellites transmit non-stop data pertaining to time and location. This time and location data can be picked up globally by means of a GPS receiver as well as an antenna. GPS operates constantly irrespective of the climatic conditions, anywhere on the planet. Moreover, there are no installation costs or subscription fees for availing of the GPS systems. Most computer timing devices and NTP Server systems make use of GPS as a precise outside timing source. Usually, GPS timing is more precise than the timing references that are radio based.

Computer Time Synchronization

It is possible to attain precise computer time synchronization by linking a Radio timing receiver or GPS with an USB or RS232 interface. Then software drivers can be set up on the host personal computer to get precise time and coordinate the time of the host PC. It is possible to synchronize a number of PC operating systems such as LINUX, UNIX Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows 2003 as well as XP, and Novell. In several instances, the time of the host personal computer's system can be coordinated to within a couple of microseconds of the right time.
Network Time Synchronization

Now the NTP or Network Time Protocol is the customary protocol for attaining computer network time coordination. NTP is the regular means of issuing time all over the Internet and also other networks. The Stratum 1 NTP servers derive time from an outside timing source like WWVB, GPS, DCF-77, or MSF-60. Then the outside time source is used to coordinate the time of the NTP server systems. The coordinated system time is availed of by NTP Servers to issue precise time to the network time customers via an IP network. The NTP runs in a hierarchical way; the subordinate stratum NTP servers derive time from the top stratum devices.

It is possible for NTP server systems to synchronize to below a couple of microseconds of the right time. Based on the network traffic, the NTP time customers can synchronize below a couple of milliseconds of the NTP server.

Source: http://www.stunningclocks.com