NIST Develops Improved Time Code for Radio-Controlled Clocks
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has created a new digital encoding for its radio-controlled clock synchronization broadcast, which will enhance reception and reliability of time signals for new radio-controlled products. The new phase modulation protocol encodes time information using changes in the radio carrier wave’s phase, in addition to amplitude modulation. This additional layer of information will allow new products with next-generation receiver chips to more accurately and reliably receive the NIST time signal, starting in 2013.
Legacy radio-controlled clocks and watches will continue to function normally under the old amplitude modulation system, but will not benefit from the improved performance of the new phase modulation protocol. The new broadcast format will also enable appliances like refrigerators, microwaves, thermostats, traffic lights, and sprinkler systems to take advantage of time synchronization for the first time, opening new possibilities for timekeeping applications.
Keywords: radio-controlled, synchronization, broadcast
