In critical infrastructures, time synchronisation is not only about having an accurate time. It must also remain reliable and continuous, including when the primary synchronisation source is temporarily unavailable.
This is the rationale behind the latest development of the RT4000 time server: the new NT849 Rubidium module from Gorgy Time.
Developed by Gorgy Time's teams in France, the NT849 integrates a highly stable Rubidium frequency reference into the RT4000. This technology enhances its holdover capabilities and strengthens the continuity of the time reference in the event of a loss or temporary interruption of the GNSS signal.
The RT4000 is now available with a Rubidium reference
The RT4000 is a time server designed for critical applications requiring a reliable, accurate and resilient time reference.
It can use GNSS as an external synchronisation source and distribute synchronised time over computer networks using the NTP protocol.
With the integration of the NT849 Rubidium module, the RT4000 now benefits from an additional level of stability.
In the event of temporary unavailability of the GNSS signal, the Rubidium oscillator provides an extremely stable internal frequency reference, enabling the time server to maintain a reliable time base while the external source is unavailable.
This holdover capability is particularly valuable in environments where even a temporary interruption of time synchronisation can affect operations, communications or control systems.
A technology already deployed in air traffic control
The NT849 Rubidium module is already being used in a particularly demanding operational environment.
RT4000 time servers equipped with the NT849 have already been deployed in air traffic control towers (ATM – Air Traffic Management).
This first implementation represents an important milestone for Gorgy Time. It demonstrates the relevance of this technology in a sector where the accuracy, availability and continuity of the time reference are essential.
It also opens the way to new applications in other critical infrastructures.
A time synchronisation solution for critical infrastructures
With this new Rubidium option, the RT4000 is even better suited to environments where the resilience of time synchronisation is an operational requirement.
Potential applications include:
- Energy and utilities
- Rail and transport
- Telecommunications
- Air navigation and Air Traffic Management (ATM)
- Critical industrial infrastructures
- Systems requiring a high level of service continuity
Each sector has its own specific requirements. Nevertheless, they all share the same need: to rely on a reliable and available time reference when every second counts.
GNSS, NTP and Rubidium: combining technologies according to requirements
With the NT849, Gorgy Time continues to develop the RT4000 platform, expanding its capabilities according to application requirements.
The objective is not to replace one technology with another, but to combine different time synchronisation and distribution technologies in order to provide the level of performance and resilience suited to each environment:
GNSS + Rubidium + NTP
This architecture is designed for applications requiring both high-precision time synchronisation, time distribution over a network and improved continuity in the event of a temporary loss of the GNSS source.
A new step in the development of the RT4000
With the integration of the NT849 Rubidium module, Gorgy Time strengthens the capabilities of the RT4000 and expands its field of application to environments where continuity of the time reference is particularly strategic.
Developed by Gorgy Time's teams in France, the NT849 reflects our commitment to providing robust, scalable time synchronisation solutions tailored to critical infrastructures.
Because in critical environments, having the exact time is essential. Being able to maintain it when the source disappears is just as important.