Microchip (formerly Microsemi) – Frequency & Time Systems
Microchip (formerly Microsemi) is the world leader in timing & network synchronization systems for highly accurate distribution using today’s precise timing standards like GPS-based timing, IEEE 1588 (PTP), Network Time Protocol (NTP), Synchronous Ethernet and DOCSIS® timing. Products include modular synchronization systems, carrier grade NTP & PTP grand masters, enterprise network time servers, GPS instruments, active hydrogen maser, cesium frequency standards, rubidium frequency references, quartz oscillator and more.
Synchronization Systems
Clock & Frequency References
Our customers are able to build more reliable networks and systems based on Microsemi’s advanced timing technologies, atomic clocks, services and solutions.
Microsemi’s Synchornization Systems support today’s precise timing standards, including GPS-based timing, IEEE 1588 (PTP), Network Time Protocol (NTP), Synchronous Ethernet and DOCSIS® timing.
Atomic physics sets the standard for stability, accuracy and range of applications in precision frequency reference clocks worldwide.
Microsemi’s Rubidium, SAW and quartz oscillators support more applications than any other precision frequency references in the world.
Featured Products
Featured Applications for Timing & Synchronization
National Timing Infrastructure
The strength of a nation’s infrastructure depends on the accuracy of time, and with pervasive cybersecurity threats disrupting Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), an alternative time system is a matter of national security. To protect and defend against GNSS vulnerabilities, the role of a country’s national time scale is changing from being a scientific measurement instrument to a vital part of its critical infrastructure.
Fully Integrated Independent Time Scale System Back-Up to GNSS
Microchip’s Precise Time Scale System (PTSS) combines multiple high-performance clocks to provide a secure, robust and resilient solution to serve as the backbone and primary source of UTC-class time for national timing of critical infrastructure.
Secure UTC Traceable Time to Protect Against Cybersecurity Threats
By deploying a Precise Time Scale System (PTSS) users can have complete control over the time sources that their critical infrastructure depends on, eliminating timing-related cybersecurity threats. A properly constructed time scale can serve as the primary source of time for critical infrastructure that needs state-of-the-art frequency stability, excellent phase noise and maximal operational availability.
Secure Position, Navigation and Time (PNT) Solutions
Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have revolutionized the world. Civilian and military navigation, cellular networks, the Internet, financial services, energy distribution, and air traffic control are just a few examples of the different applications that rely heavily on GNSS.
Secure Position, Navigation and Time (PNT) solutions use a variety of methods to minimize inherent GNSS vulnerabilities. These methods include detecting threats, using multiple GNSS constellations (GPS, Galileo. GLONASS), offering alternate PNT delivery methods, and backing up PNT sources with degraded accuracy for short operational periods.
Time is the cornerstone of all secure PNT solutions. We provide innovative timing solutions for all portions of a secure PNT chain, from the PNT core to the PNT end user.
- Time: Atomic clocks are used at the core of every PNT system to determine precise and accurate time.
- Position: A PNT end user’s location is determined by the elapsed time microwave signals take to travel between satellites and the PNT end user
- Navigation: Velocity and acceleration are determined by the change in end user location over a period of time.
Virtual Primary Reference Time Clock (vPRTC)
The virtual Primary Reference Time Clock (vPRTC) is a highly secure and resilient network-based timing architecture that has been developed to meet the expanding needs of modern critical infrastructures. It blends proven timing technologies into a centralized and protected source location and then uses commercial fiber optic network links and advanced IEEE® 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) boundary clocks to distribute 100 ns PRTC timing where it is needed in end points that might be hundreds of kilometers away.
The central locations receive their UTC time traceability from GNSS via highly protected and validated receivers. Advanced firewall technologies continuously monitor for threats in the form of GNSS spoofing or jamming attacks to assure that only valid signals from the sky are passed to the central clock. The vPRTC uses industry-proven cesium atomic clocks to establish 30 ns guaranteed accuracy traceable to UTC. If an invalid GNSS signal is detected or denied, the vPRTC source maintains ±100 ns traceability to UTC for a minimum of 14 days.
Three Components of the vPRTC
Company Overview
Microsemi Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Microchip Technology Inc, is the world leader in precise time solutions and sets the world’s standard for time. Timing and synchronization solutions to generate, distribute and apply precise time are used worldwide in multiple industries, including communications, aerospace/defense, IT infrastructure and metrology.
Customers are able to build more reliable networks and systems based on Microsemi’s advanced timing technologies, atomic clocks, services and solutions. Microsemi’s Synchornization Systems support today’s precise timing standards, including GPS-based timing, IEEE 1588 (PTP), Network Time Protocol (NTP), Synchronous Ethernet and DOCSIS® timing.
Microsemi is the market leader in network synchronization with a focused industry-leading portfolio for Synchronous Ethernet/IEEE 1588 timing for packet networks and OTN systems. Their portfolio of end-to-end timing solutions is engineered to solve your most difficult network timing challenges.
