Precision frequency product provides reliable performance

“The SyncSystem 4380A delivers metrology-grade time and frequency performance in a highly configurable 1U rack-mountable package,” said Sri Purisai, Manager, Synchronisation Business Unit, Microsemi. “Building upon the legacy of Microsemi’s 4370A, the 4380A has been enhanced with high performance components and advanced algorithms to deliver a world-class timing reference that will address our customers’ most stringent performance requirements, now and for many years to come.”

Microsemi’s SyncSystem 4380A employs an internal rubidium oscillator and an L1/L2 GPS receiver to ensure accurate synchronisation of the 4380A with Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)/U. S. Naval Observatory (USNO) and repeatability customers can depend upon every single day of operation. L1-only GPS receivers are plagued by unpredictable events such as solar storms, which impact timing performance by stimulating an increase in the Total Electron Count (TEC) of the ionosphere. These events degrade the performance of timing systems unless an L1/L2 receiver is used, as it enables a direct measurement and correction for the delay of GPS signals through the ionosphere.  Microsemi’s SyncSystem 4380A’s L1/L2 GPS receiver is a must-have for applications requiring repeatable timing performance with the highest levels of reliability.

Included with the standard 4380A is an L1/L2 GPS antenna that enables the system to precisely locate its antenna position with millimetre-level accuracy. This is accomplished by using the auto-survey mode of the 4380A to generate a RINEX observation file that can be uploaded to online processing utilities to provide a differential GPS solution for the position of the antenna. The same technique is used to precisely track plate-tectonic movements of the Earth. This attention to detail is critical in guaranteeing system performance of under 10ns RMS because the largest error contributor is the calibration bias (which includes errors in antenna position).

The SyncSystem 4380A is suited to satisfy today’s timing needs and provides the scalability to meet future requirements as well.  Each 4380A has six expansion ports for hot-swappable output modules that provide an array of timing signals. Output modules exist for most conceivable timing signals, and modules are routinely developed to support specialised timing signals for users with unique requirements.

Although the 4380A already employs an internal rubidium oscillator, the standard 4380A also has the ability to use an external frequency reference (e.g., 5071A, MHM 2010) when available. This further enhances the performance of the 4380A without requiring additional upgrades.

Microsemi’s technical experts will be showcasing the SyncSystem 4380A in booth #601 at ION GNSS+, the world's largest technical meeting and showcase of GNSS technology, products and services.

ION GNSS+ will take place 14^th to 18^th September 2015 at the Tampa Convention Centre, Florida. Microsemi's SyncSystem 4380A product will be available for order starting in autumn 2015.