The SIM Common-View GPS Comparison

Network, Traceability, and Legal Metrology

International Comparisons are made via Common View GPS

Two users, A and B, compare their time standard to the same GPS satellite at the same time. Two data sets are recorded (one at each site):

Clock A - GPS Clock B - GPS

Data is exchanged. Subtract A from B to get the difference between the two clocks. Common errors cancel, including GPS time errors. Common-view GPS is the primary method used for the international computation of UTC.

BIPM Circular T (www.bipm.org)

SIM Comparisons SIM is the Systema SIM is the Systema

Interamericano de Interamericano de Metrologia (Interamerican Metrologia (Interamerican Metrology System) with 34 Metrology System) with 34 member nationsmember nations

Real-Time common-view Real-Time common-view measurements, unlike post measurements, unlike post processed Circular-T, processed Circular-T, results are updated every results are updated every 10 minutes10 minutes

Comparisons already in Comparisons already in progress between Canada, progress between Canada, Mexico, and United States. Mexico, and United States. CENAMEP will be added CENAMEP will be added soon. All national time and soon. All national time and frequency labs (over 12 frequency labs (over 12 labs) in North, Central, and labs) in North, Central, and South America are South America are expected to be included as expected to be included as funding becomes funding becomes available.available.

Unilateral, no single Unilateral, no single laboratory serves as the laboratory serves as the hub.hub.

SIM Common-View GPS System

Collects data from all satellites in viewCollects data from all satellites in view Stores data (10-min averages) in 32 x 144 Stores data (10-min averages) in 32 x 144

matrixmatrix Uploads to Internet for on-the-fly processing Uploads to Internet for on-the-fly processing

every 10 minutes.every 10 minutes. Collects about 400 minutes of data from Collects about 400 minutes of data from

each satellite per dayeach satellite per day Web-based software (CGI scripts) plots the Web-based software (CGI scripts) plots the

composite and individual tracks recorded at composite and individual tracks recorded at both sites, plus does the common-view data both sites, plus does the common-view data reductionreduction

Web-based software calculates average Web-based software calculates average frequency and time offset, plus Allan frequency and time offset, plus Allan deviation and time deviation.deviation and time deviation.

If a SIM laboratory is maintaining a national If a SIM laboratory is maintaining a national time and frequency standard, this system time and frequency standard, this system allows them to continously compare it, 24 allows them to continously compare it, 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, to the hours per day, 7 days a week, to the standard maintained by all other standard maintained by all other participating SIM laboratories.participating SIM laboratories.

Requirements for Joining Network A dedicated Internet connection (always on with a static IP A dedicated Internet connection (always on with a static IP

address)address) A 1 pps timing referenceA 1 pps timing reference A 5 or 10 MHz reference for use as the time interval counter time A 5 or 10 MHz reference for use as the time interval counter time

basebase For laboratories with no standard we are investigating supplying For laboratories with no standard we are investigating supplying

rubidium oscillatorsrubidium oscillators Current members of the network are Mexico, Canada, Panama, Current members of the network are Mexico, Canada, Panama,

and the United Statesand the United States When/if funding becomes available through OAS, we want to When/if funding becomes available through OAS, we want to

supply every SIM laboratory that wants to participate and that supply every SIM laboratory that wants to participate and that meets the requirements a systemmeets the requirements a system

If you work for a SIM NMI and are not on the SIM email list, please If you work for a SIM NMI and are not on the SIM email list, please send me email at send me email at lombardi@nist.lombardi@nist.govgov

The list will allow you to communicate with Mauricio Lopez, the The list will allow you to communicate with Mauricio Lopez, the chair of the SIM time and frequency working group. It will also chair of the SIM time and frequency working group. It will also allow you to communicate with Jean-Simon, Carlos Donado, allow you to communicate with Jean-Simon, Carlos Donado, myself, and all other members of the time and frequency working myself, and all other members of the time and frequency working group.group.

Time Interval Method

Counter Self Test

Common-View,

Common-Clock

Calibration

ComponentExplanation Estimated

Uncertainty

Delay calibration errors

See Section III 5 ns

Ionospheric Delay Errors

SIM common-view system does not apply MSIO corrections

3 ns

Antenna Coordinates Error

Assumes that antenna position (x, y, z) is known to within 1 m

3 ns

Time interval counter

The absolute accuracy of the SIM system counter is near 2 ns

2 ns

Environmental variations

Receiver delays can change due to temperature or voltage fluctuations from power supplies, antenna cable delays can change due to temperature

2 ns

Estimate of DREF Usually done with a time interval counter and is subject to errors near 2 ns

2 ns

Resolution Uncertainty

Software limits the resolution of entered delay values to 1 ns

0.5 ns

UbU akc

U 22

Baseline Mean Time Off.

between links

σx(τ) at 1 d σy(τ) at 1 d

SIM BIPM SIM BIPM

CNM/NIST 2.6 ns 1.2 ns 1.3 ns 2.5E-14 2.6E-14

NRC/NIST 7.6 ns 1.5 ns 1.1 ns 2.9E-14 2.3E-14

NRC/CNM 13.2 ns 2.0 ns 1.8 ns 4.0E-14 3.5E-14

Uncertainty Analysis

TDEV serves as Type A uncertainty.TDEV serves as Type A uncertainty. Type B uncertainties are summarized in Type B uncertainties are summarized in

Table.Table. Combined standard uncertainty is near 15 Combined standard uncertainty is near 15

nanoseconds for NORAMET baselines, nanoseconds for NORAMET baselines, less than 1 less than 1 10 10-13-13 for frequency. for frequency.

Traceability

ISO definition of traceability

The property of the result of a measurement or the value of a standard whereby it can be related to stated references, usually national or international standards, through an unbroken chain of comparisons all having stated uncertainties.

The Importance of Traceability

Establishing traceability to national and international standards provides evidence that measurements are being made correctly

Traceable measurements are essential elements of: quality control systems trade agreements allowing compatible products to be

manufactured all over the world

ISO Guide 17025 - 5.6.2.1.1

For calibration laboratories, the program for calibration of equipment shall be designed and operated so as to ensure that calibrations and measurements made by the laboratory are traceable to the SI (Systeme International) units of measurement.

5.6.2.1.1 (continued)A calibration laboratory establishes traceability of its own measurement standards and measuring instruments to the SI by means of an unbroken chain of calibrations or comparisons linking them to relevant primary standards of the SI units of measurement. The link to SI units may be achieved by reference to national measurement standards. National measurement standards may be primary standards, which are primary realizations of the SI units or agreed representations of SI units based on fundamental physical constants, or they may be secondary standards which are standards calibrated by another national metrology institute.

The Traceability Chain The traceability chain is a series of comparisons

between the device under test to a reference. The final comparison in the chain is made using the International System (SI) units as a reference.

Each comparison is a link in the chain. The uncertainty of each comparison (link) must be

known and documented. National metrology institutes (NMIs) provide the

ultimate measurement references for their countries. The intent of all NMIs is to realize the SI units as closely as possible.

Although the goal is to establish traceability to the SI, this is often done by comparing to an NMI that in turn compares its references to the SI.

The Traceability Pyramid

Linking to the SI SIM laboratories can link back to the SI by:

Contributing to UTC as listed on the BIPM’s Circular-T document, and/or

By participating in international comparisons via the SIM network with other laboratories that contribute to UTC.

This link back to the SI is necessary to complete the traceability chain. Once a NMI’s primary standard is traceable to the SI, other laboratories in their country can establish traceability by using services provided by their NMI.

If a NMI has services with low enough measurement uncertainties to meet the needs of their nation’s customers, there is no need for customers in their country to go elsewhere (Germany, United States, etc.) to establish traceability.

Ways to establish traceability to the SI through a SIM NMI

In-House CalibrationsIn-House Calibrations NMI monitoring of GPSNMI monitoring of GPS

Publication of the time and frequency offset between Publication of the time and frequency offset between UTC(k) and GPS could allow customers to link back to UTC(k) and GPS could allow customers to link back to UTC(k) through the reception of GPSUTC(k) through the reception of GPS

ServicesServices Time Signal Radio Stations (HF, LF, or satellite)Time Signal Radio Stations (HF, LF, or satellite) Network Time Protocol (NTP) service for computer Network Time Protocol (NTP) service for computer

time-of-day synchronization is a convenient way to time-of-day synchronization is a convenient way to distribute UTC(k)distribute UTC(k)

Time-of-day service (voice over telephone or Internet, Time-of-day service (voice over telephone or Internet, or web clock via Internet)or web clock via Internet)

Traceability chain for signals

controlled by a NMI

Internet Network Time Protocol (NTP) The recognized standard for time synchronization via the Internet, defined by RFC-1305 (see The recognized standard for time synchronization via the Internet, defined by RFC-1305 (see

www.ntp.orgwww.ntp.org)) Typically accuracy of synchronization ranges from 1 to 100 milliseconds, useful for time stamp Typically accuracy of synchronization ranges from 1 to 100 milliseconds, useful for time stamp

purposes, but not nearly good enough for telecommunication networks. For example, CDMA purposes, but not nearly good enough for telecommunication networks. For example, CDMA needs time-of-day with about 1000 times the accuracy that NTP can provide.needs time-of-day with about 1000 times the accuracy that NTP can provide.

NTP servers listen for a NTP request on port 123, and respond by sending a udp/ip data packet NTP servers listen for a NTP request on port 123, and respond by sending a udp/ip data packet in the NTP format. The data packet includes a 64-bit timestamp containing the time in UTC in the NTP format. The data packet includes a 64-bit timestamp containing the time in UTC seconds since January 1, 1900 with a resolution of 200 ps. The full resolution is meaningless seconds since January 1, 1900 with a resolution of 200 ps. The full resolution is meaningless due to the noisy Internet medium.due to the noisy Internet medium.

A client can access several servers to get the best results, averaging down the path noise and A client can access several servers to get the best results, averaging down the path noise and delays obtained from each.delays obtained from each.

NTP Servers NTP is based on a hierarchy of servers with stratum NTP is based on a hierarchy of servers with stratum

layers, but there are no specifications for stratum layers, but there are no specifications for stratum accuracy. Instead:accuracy. Instead: Stratum-0 is a reference clock synchronized to UTC with little or Stratum-0 is a reference clock synchronized to UTC with little or

no delay, such as a GPSDO or a national time scale, such as no delay, such as a GPSDO or a national time scale, such as UTC(NIST). There are no Stratum-0 servers, only clocks.UTC(NIST). There are no Stratum-0 servers, only clocks.

A Stratum-1 server is the highest form of NTP server. It is A Stratum-1 server is the highest form of NTP server. It is directly connected to a Stratum-0 clock.directly connected to a Stratum-0 clock.

There are a relatively small number of Stratum-1 NTP servers There are a relatively small number of Stratum-1 NTP servers available for unlimited public access. A list is available at:available for unlimited public access. A list is available at:

http://ntp.isc.orghttp://ntp.isc.org A Stratum-2 server synchronizes over the network to a Stratum-A Stratum-2 server synchronizes over the network to a Stratum-

1 server. 1 server. A Stratum-3 server synchronizes over the network to a Stratum-A Stratum-3 server synchronizes over the network to a Stratum-

2 server, and so on.2 server, and so on.

Traceability chain for signals monitored by a NMI (such as

GPS)

Legal and Technical Requirements for

Time and Frequency Metrology

The U.S. Stock Market (NASDAQ) uses NIST time as a reference

All computer system clocks and mechanical time stamping devices All computer system clocks and mechanical time stamping devices must be synchronized to within three seconds of the National must be synchronized to within three seconds of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) atomic clock. Any Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) atomic clock. Any time provider may be used for synchronization, however, all clocks time provider may be used for synchronization, however, all clocks and time stamping devices must remain accurate within a three-and time stamping devices must remain accurate within a three-second tolerance of the NIST clock. This tolerance includes all of second tolerance of the NIST clock. This tolerance includes all of the following: the following:

The difference between the NIST standard and a time provider’s The difference between the NIST standard and a time provider’s clock; clock;

Transmission delay from the source; and Transmission delay from the source; and The amount of drift of the member firm’s clock. The amount of drift of the member firm’s clock.

For example, if the time provider’s clock is accurate to within one For example, if the time provider’s clock is accurate to within one second of the NIST standard, the maximum allowable drift for any second of the NIST standard, the maximum allowable drift for any computer system or mechanical clock is two seconds.computer system or mechanical clock is two seconds.

System Function Measurement Time Requirement

Generation Control Generator phase 10 ms

Event Recorders Time tagging of records 1 ms

Stability Controls Phase angle, 1° 46 µs

Networked Controls Phase angle, 0.1° 4.6 µs

Traveling wave fault locators 300 meter tower spacing 1 µs

Synchrophasor measurements Phase angle, 0.022° 1 µs

Synchronization Requirements for the Electric Power Industry

Commercial timing devices are often checked with field standard Commercial timing devices are often checked with field standard stopwatches. Most modern stopwatches are controlled by quartz stopwatches. Most modern stopwatches are controlled by quartz oscillators, and they typically meet or exceed the performance of a oscillators, and they typically meet or exceed the performance of a quartz wristwatch (see above). However, they are often calibrated quartz wristwatch (see above). However, they are often calibrated against audio timing signals from NIST radio station WWV or a against audio timing signals from NIST radio station WWV or a similar source, and the uncertainty of the calibration is often limited similar source, and the uncertainty of the calibration is often limited by the human reaction time involved in starting and stopping the by the human reaction time involved in starting and stopping the timer. Therefore, the legally required measurement uncertainty is timer. Therefore, the legally required measurement uncertainty is typically about 0.01% or 0.02% (1 or 2 parts in 104). NIST typically about 0.01% or 0.02% (1 or 2 parts in 104). NIST Handbook 44 specifies 15 s for a 24 hour interval, or 0.017%. Handbook 44 specifies 15 s for a 24 hour interval, or 0.017%.

Some states and municipalities have their own laws. For example, Some states and municipalities have their own laws. For example, the state of Pennsylvania code states that an the state of Pennsylvania code states that an electronic stopwatch electronic stopwatch shall comply with the following standards:shall comply with the following standards: (i) The common crystal frequency shall be 32,768 Hz with a (i) The common crystal frequency shall be 32,768 Hz with a

measured frequency within plus or minus 3 Hz, or approximately measured frequency within plus or minus 3 Hz, or approximately .01% of the standard frequency..01% of the standard frequency.

(ii) The stopwatch shall be accurate to the equivalent of plus or (ii) The stopwatch shall be accurate to the equivalent of plus or minus 9 seconds per 24-hour period.minus 9 seconds per 24-hour period.

Field Standard Stopwatches

Commercial Timing Device

Overregistration Underregistration

Requirement Uncertainty Requirement Uncertainty

Parking Meter None NA 10 s per minute

5 minutes per half hour

7 minutes per hour

11.7% to 16.7%

Time clocks and time recorders

3 s per hour, not to exceed 1 minute per day

0.07% to 0.08% 3 s per hour, not to exceed 1 minute per day

0.07% to 0.08%

Taximeters 3 s per minute 5% 6 s per minute 10%

Other Timing Devices

5 s for any interval of 1 minute or more

NA 6 s per minute 10%

U.S. Requirements for Commercial Timing Devices

Carrier Frequency Departure Tolerances for Radio and Television Stations

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States provides the following rules for provides the following rules for carrier frequency departure carrier frequency departure (frequency (frequency offset) for broadcasting stations. These rules are contained in the section offset) for broadcasting stations. These rules are contained in the section 73.1545 of the United States Federal Register.73.1545 of the United States Federal Register. AM radio stations (AM radio stations ( 20 Hz), or 2 20 Hz), or 2 10 10-5 at 1 MHz at 1 MHz FM radio stations (FM radio stations ( 2000 Hz), or 2 2000 Hz), or 2 10 10-5 at 100 MHz at 100 MHz TV stations, video and audio carriers (TV stations, video and audio carriers ( 1000 Hz), or ~1 1000 Hz), or ~1 10 10-5 for channel 5 for channel 5 International Broadcast Stations, 0.0015%, or 1.5 International Broadcast Stations, 0.0015%, or 1.5 10 10-5

These requirements (roughly 1 part per 100,000) are technically easy to These requirements (roughly 1 part per 100,000) are technically easy to meet. However, broadcasters still require their equipment to be periodically meet. However, broadcasters still require their equipment to be periodically checked against a known standard.checked against a known standard.

E1 Specification for Telephone Voice Channels

Available to users in countries operating under the guidance of the International telecommunications Union (ITU). E1 has a total of 32 channels 64 kbps channels - 30 for voice and 2 for framing and signaling at a digital bit stream of 2.048 Mbps - compared to the 24 voice channels and 1.544 Mbps of the North American T1 standard. E2 = 120 channels, 8.448 MbpsE2 = 120 channels, 8.448 Mbps E3 = 480 channels, 34.368 MbpsE3 = 480 channels, 34.368 Mbps E4 = 1920 channels, 139.268 MbpsE4 = 1920 channels, 139.268 Mbps E5 = 7680 channels, 565.148 MbpsE5 = 7680 channels, 565.148 Mbps

Cycle Slips A single voice channel sends data at a 64 kbps rate, and is sampled 8000 times per

second, or every 125 microseconds. When the time error exceeds half of this amount, or 62.5 microseconds, a cycle slip occurs. Half the period is used to indicate the worst case, i.e., that the two clocks are moving in opposite directions.

Cycle slips occur when one or more network clocks runs at a frequency that is not within tolerance. This results in the loss of data, and sometimes in a dropped call.

Stratum Timing Requirements for Primary Reference Source or Clock (PRS or PRC)

Stratum Timing Requirements for Primary Reference Source or Clock (PRS or PRC)

Stratum Levels Stratum-1 Stratum-2 Stratum-3E Stratum-3

Frequency Accuracy, adjustment range

1 1 10 10-11 1.6 1.6 10 10-8 1 1 10 10-6 4.6 4.6 10 10-6

Frequency stability

NANA 1 1 10 10-10 1 1 10 10-8 3.7 3.7 10 10-7

Pull-In Range NA 1.6 1.6 10 10-8 4.6 4.6 10 10-6 4.6 4.6 10 10-6

Time offset per day due to frequency instability

0.864 µs 8.64 µs 864 µs 32 ms

Interval between cycle slips

72.3 days

(62.5 µs / 0.864 µs)

7.2 days

(62.5 µs / 8.64 µs)

104 minutes 169 s

Type of frequency standard needed

Cesium

GPSDO

Rubidium

(w/ periodic adjustment)

GPSDO

Rubidium

very stable OCXO

OCXO OCXO

TCXO

CDMA Cellular Phone Signals CDMA digitizes data and speads it over the entire bandwidth it has available. CDMA digitizes data and speads it over the entire bandwidth it has available.

Multiple calls are overlaid over each other on the channel, with a unique code Multiple calls are overlaid over each other on the channel, with a unique code assigned to each. This is similar to the spread spectrum technique that GPS assigned to each. This is similar to the spread spectrum technique that GPS uses to distinguish between satellites.uses to distinguish between satellites.

CDMA normally complies with the TIA/EIA IS-95 standard that uses GPS time as CDMA normally complies with the TIA/EIA IS-95 standard that uses GPS time as base station time. Thus, nearly all CDMA base stations contain GPS receivers. base station time. Thus, nearly all CDMA base stations contain GPS receivers. Timing requirement is Timing requirement is 10 10 µs, even if GPS is unavailable for up to 8 hours. µs, even if GPS is unavailable for up to 8 hours.

During normal operation, base stations are synchronized to within 1 µs.During normal operation, base stations are synchronized to within 1 µs. Time code contains local time, no time zone correction is necessary.Time code contains local time, no time zone correction is necessary. Frequency requirement is 5 Frequency requirement is 5 10 10-8 for transmitter carrier frequency. for transmitter carrier frequency. The time-of-day is usually right on a CDMA phone.The time-of-day is usually right on a CDMA phone. There are more than 100,000 CDMA base stations equipped with GPS in the There are more than 100,000 CDMA base stations equipped with GPS in the

United States.United States. There are two main types of IS-95 CDMA systemsThere are two main types of IS-95 CDMA systems::

Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) with forward link signals using Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) with forward link signals using frequencies from 869 to 894 MHz.frequencies from 869 to 894 MHz.

Personal Communications Systems (PCS) with forward link signals using Personal Communications Systems (PCS) with forward link signals using frequencies from 1930 to 1990 MHz. PCS phones often fall back and use frequencies from 1930 to 1990 MHz. PCS phones often fall back and use the analog AMPS band when digital service is unavailable.the analog AMPS band when digital service is unavailable.

CDMA Base Stations

Received phase from CDMA base stations is derived from GPS, and looks similar to GPS data

GSM Base Stations The Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) is the most popular

standard for mobile phones in the world, now used by over a billion people in more than 200 countries.

GSM is a TDMA technology that works by dividing a radio frequency into time slots and then allocating slots to multiple calls. In this way, a single frequency can support multiple, simultaneous data channels.

Most GSM networks operates at 900MHz and/or 1800 MHz. The exception to the rule is networks in the USA, Canada, and Latin America who operates at 850 MHz and/or 1900 MHz.

Unlike CDMA, there is no timing requirement for GSM, but the frequency requirement is identical at 5 5 10 10-8, generally requiring a rubidium or a high quality OCXO to meet

The specification is found in "GSM: Digital cellular telecommunication The specification is found in "GSM: Digital cellular telecommunication system (Phase 2+); Radio subsystem synchronisation (GSM 05.10)” system (Phase 2+); Radio subsystem synchronisation (GSM 05.10)” published by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute published by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)(ETSI)

The specification states that “The BS shall use a single frequency source of absolute accuracy better than 0.05 ppm for both RF frequency generation and clocking the time base. The same source shall be used for all carriers at the BS.”

GSM subscribers won’t necessarily have the correct time on their phones GSM subscribers won’t necessarily have the correct time on their phones as there is typically not a GPS receiver inside the base station (BS). as there is typically not a GPS receiver inside the base station (BS). The base station system clock is typically a 13 MHz high precision oscillator that sometimes (but not always) is synchronized to the Central Office master clock system.

Summary As previously noted, establishing traceability to national and

international standards provides evidence that measurements are being made correctly

A national standard of time and frequency that is supported by continous international comparisons and a quality system is extremely important. It allows:

The creation of a national time and frequency infrastructure, by providing the foundation for this infrastructure.

Local government and industry to meet their legal and technical time and frequency requirements.

The SIM common-view network can provide the link back to international standards and the SI that a laboratory needs in order to create a time and frequency infrastructure in their country