Title: NIST and Navy Test Telecom Networks as Backup for GPS Time Signals
1. Summary:
NIST and the US Naval Observatory (USNO) have conducted experiments to determine if commercial telecommunications networks could serve as a backup for GPS time signals. The research, conducted in partnership with CenturyLink and Microsemi, demonstrated that UTC could be transferred between Boulder, Colorado and Colorado Springs with a stability of under 100 nanoseconds, meeting the 100 ns stability level required by telecommunications standards.
2. Key Findings:
– The experiment achieved 100 nanosecond stability, meeting the required standard
– The researchers believe GPS could be used to calibrate the network in case of a disruption, maintaining accuracy within 100 nanoseconds
– Having two independent telecom network paths would provide a more reliable backup
3. Implementation:
– The experiment began in April 2014 and will run through January 2017
– The research team plans to extend the experiment across the nation
– The findings were presented at an International IEEE Symposium in September 2016
4. Significance:
– The research aligns with a 2013 Government Accountability Office study highlighting the economic risks associated with GPS disruptions
– GPS is essential to U.S. national security and critical infrastructure
– The study emphasized the need for backup systems to mitigate these risks
Keywords: GPS, timing signals, fiber-optic cables
