The Global Positioning System is a constellation of 24 orbiting satellites. The system is maintained by the US military and primarily intended as a positioning and navigation system. The system can provide positioning information to within a few meters anywhere on the face of the Earth. In order to provide accurate positioning information, each satellite needs to maintain an extraordinarily accurate atomic clock. Therefore, GPS time is one of the most accurate sources of time available.
In order to receive GPS signals, an externally mounted antenna is required with direct line of sight to the satellites. For static implementations, the ideal location for an antenna is on a roof-top with a full 360 degree view of the sky. However, many systems work well with an antenna located on the side of a building or in a Window. In fact many modern high-sensativity receivers can now even receive a signal lock indoors without any line of sight to the satellites.
A GPS timing receiver will provide a very accurate time and date reference. Generally timing information is provided as a serial output of time and date information followed by a highly accurate pulse output. The pulse is aligned to the exact second denoted by the serial time and date information. The pulse per second output is usually accurate to within 60 nanoseconds or less of UTC time.
Many of TimeTools computer and network timing systems utilise the GPS system to provide accurate synchronisation of system time. TimeTools SR series of NTP time servers use GPS to synchronise an accurate internal real-time clock, which is used to provide time to network time clients.

TimeTools has a comprehensive range of computer and network time synchronisation solutions utilising GPS and radio technologies. Solutions range from RS232 serial and USB devices that synchronise time on a single PC to dedicated network time servers that can provide accurate time to thousands of network time clients. We also provide a comprehensive range of ethernet network, NTP synchronised, digital and analog wall clocks that continuously display accurate synchronised time.
- High Precision GPS and LF radio (MSF and DCF-77) time references.
- RS232 and USB time synchronisation devices for accurate PC time.
- Dedicated network time servers to accurately synchronise thousands of clients using the Network Time Protocol (NTP).
- Precise timing for all operating systems including Microsoft Windows, Linux and Unix.
- Synchronise network infrastructure such as Cisco routers, hubs, switches, CCTV cameras, DVR's and telephone systems.
- Synchronised digital and analog time displays and wall clocks.
For more information about GPS time solutions, please take time to browse our web-site. |