Atomic Clock Systems

An atomic clock is very accurate source of time. There are different types of atomic clocks, which is found mainly in the laboratory cesium clocks, watches, hydrogen and rubidium clocks.
Time synchronization Most commercially available systems, the atomic clock using a radio or GPS time signals, a precise time interest rate is linked references. In this way, a very accurate source of time is easily accessible for users of all days, excluding the costs of installing expensive equipment and complicated.

This article provides an overview of atomic clock systems with particular emphasis on their use with NTP server systems for the PC and synchronize the network time.
Atomic Clock Radio Time Reference
Radio broadcast time that MSF-60 (UK), DCF-77 (Germany) and WWVB (USA) time to transmit signals of precise time information from a radio transmitter. The transmission times are derived from an atomic clock reference and timing equipment with a low cost radio receivers are received.
MSF-60 radio signal from Rugby, England, with the coverage of the British Isles and throughout most of North-West Europe transferred. The DCF-77 from Frankfurt, Germany, transfer, and covers most of central Europe. While the WWVB signal in Fort Collins, Colorado, United States transferred.
MSF-60 time of transmission
MSF-60 time signal is a time of long wavelength of the transmitted signal at 60 kHz from Rugby in the United Kingdom. The radio signal is received by Engineering Services BT. MSF-60 time signal is extremely precise atomic clocks at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is generated. When decoded, is a very precise clock timing reference for the timing of NTP servers and other hardware.

DCF-77-Transmission
The DCF-77 is issued a long wave radio signal alarm to 77.5 from Mainflingen near Frankfurt, Germany. The radio signal is maintained by T-Systems, a division of Deuche Telecom and in operation since 1959. The DCF-77 extremely accurate atomic clocks in the German National Physics Laboratory is generated. When decoded, is a very specific reference to the timing and clock synchronization computer.
WWVB transmission time
The WWVB time signal continuously transmits signals in time and frequency of 60 kHz from Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. The time reference is received from the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology. WWVB continuously emitting time and frequency since 1962 are available. The signal is a reference point of time with a precision of less than 100 microseconds.
GPS Time Atomic Clock Reference
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a U.S. military for navigation in the world. The system consists of 24 satellites in orbit, each satellite is equipped with an extremely accurate atomic clock on board the UTC synchronized time. The satellites transmit continuous time and position data. The timing and location information can be obtained throughout the world with a GPS receiver and antenna.

GPS works continuously, if the situation throughout the world, anywhere in the world. Moreover, there is no fee or subscription to use GPS. Timing Many computer systems and systems for use as a GPS NTP server and the exact timing of the external reference. GPS timing is generally much more accurate than the timing knowledge base radio.
Computer Time Synchronization
Computer time synchronization accuracy can be achieved by combining a timetable and a GPS radio with an RS232 or USB interface to achieve. Driver software can be installed on the host PC to obtain the correct time and the host PC, synchronize the system time. Most PC operating systems can be synchronized, including Microsoft Windows 2000, 2003 and XP, Linux, Unix and Novell. In many cases the time of the host system PC within a few microseconds, the time synchronized.

Network Time Synchronization
The standard protocol for time synchronization computer network is the Network Time Protocol (NTP). NTP is the standard way of allocation of time on the Internet and other networks. Stratum 1 NTP server to receive the external time reference, such as GPS, MSF-60, WWVB or DCF-77. The external time reference is then used to set the NTP server to synchronize the system time.
The system time synchronization is then used by the NTP server to deploy the exact hour of the time, the network client on an IP network. NTP is a hierarchical way; NTP server less time to level of access devices.
NTP server systems can be synchronized within a few microseconds at the right time. According to the traffic network to synchronize NTP client in a few milliseconds of an NTP server.