RALEIGH, N.C., 12 July 2013.Beyond Electronics Corp. in Raleigh, N.C., is introducing the Tactical System Timer (TST) precision time base that self-synchronizes to GPS or NTP and provides reliable system time even in the event of a loss of GPS time or network time.
This test & measurement product fills the need for precise tactical system synchronization in battlefield environments.
The TST is a small, stand-alone system that connects to the overall system network and to a GPS time source. It contains an embedded RISC microprocessor, memory, and a stable internal timer that is based on a tightly specified oven controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO). The OCXO is further augmented by a statistical filter.
The time result from this clock is available to host system through a library built on a socket level interface. The units are specified, calibrated and tested for long and short term stability and accuracy over full temperature. Various timer grades are available to meet system requirements.
The timer uses hardware to synchronize its clock to the GPS time stream and aligns itself with the seconds marker associated with the time stream. Hardware further interprets the timestamp and loads it into the internal clock.
The timer interface uses a predictive algorithm to determine when the next second marker will occur and adjusts itself to compensate for differences between the OCXO based time and the GPS based time. Errant time from the GPS or time that is too far outside the internal band-pass is rejected.
For environments that require synchronization to network time protocol (NTP), the unit can be commanded to enter NTP Mode and will acquire all follow on data from the network time server.
The unit has a soft architecture based on a large FPGA with nearly all internal hardware located in the FPGA. This improves the MTBF, reduces the overall power consumption and allows the unit to be field upgraded or maintained without removing it from the system. Upgrades are accomplished by uploading a hardware design and software over the network.
The enclosure for the unit is one piece machined aluminum case with a flat rear cover. All connections to the unit are through two circular mil connectors. All internal circuit boards are conduction cooled and conformally coated. The overall unit can be conduction or convection cooled. The power input is nominally 28 Volts.
The entire unit has been qualified for military applications including: shock/vibration, altitude, temperature, temperature rate of change, etc., The TST support library is available for the VxWorks and Linux operating systems.
For more information contact Beyond Electronics online at www.beyondelectronics.us.
