TimeSource "Enhanced Primary Reference Time Clock" Protects Against GNSS Vulnerabilities

ALISO VIEJO, CA -- Microsemi Corporation announces the availability of its TimeSource Enhanced Primary Reference Time Clock (TimeSource Enhanced PRTC), a new system enabling telecommunications and mobile operators to meet the new G.8272.1 recommendation from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), while also protecting against serious threats associated with global navigation satellite system (GNSS) vulnerabilities.

The TimeSource Enhanced PRTC "generates time" by producing its own independent time scale aligned with GNSS, while its phase, time and frequency signal outputs remain autonomous. This provides customers within the communications, power, public safety, data center and government network markets with a secure infrastructure, reducing dependency on GNSS and enabling network operators to retake control of the timing source used for network synchronization. The new system is also designed to meet the stringent new ITU-T Recommendation G.8272.1, which requires accuracy to within 30 nanoseconds (ns) or better when verified against a time standard such as UTC.

Massive deployment of GNSS as a timing source for synchronizing telecommunications networks (both wired and wireless) has created security risks to a point where governments, major telecommunications/mobile operators and enterprises are now urgently looking to protect their networks against both regional GNSS issues as well as the potential of a global GNSS outage. Microsemi's TimeSource Enhanced PRTC works with the company's cesium clocks to ensure time is generated in an autonomous manner. Specifically, the TimeSource Enhanced PRTC's "source of time" aligns accurately with GNSS time without being dependent upon it—avoiding any vulnerability to threats caused by jamming and spoofing.

According to Research and Markets' report from market research firm Markets and Markets titled, "Anti-Jamming Market for GPS by Technique (Nulling System, Beam Steering System, Civilian System), Receiver Type (Military & Government Grade, Commercial Transportation Grade), Application, End User, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2022," the anti-jamming market for GPS is expected to reach $4.8 billion and more than 309,000 units by 2022, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7 percent and 10 percent, respectively, between 2016-2022. Demand for secured weapons guided systems and increasing vulnerability of GPS signals due to development of low-cost GPS jammers are the major growth drivers of the market.

Product Availability

Microsemi's TimeSource Enhanced PRTC is available now.

For more information, visit:
http://www.microsemi.com/product-directory/3425-timing-synchronization#sync-systems
http://www.microsemi.com/applications/communications
http://www.microsemi.com