Why a wireless clock system
Wired synchronized clock installations are burdened by the expense and disruption of wiring the facility. Low power-consuming analog clocks can be battery-powered for complete wire-free operation. They can be placed anywhere in a room, corridor, lobby, etc.
However all wireless clock systems are not created equally. Inconsistent and unreliable facility coverage and the need to apply for and maintain a license for a FCC-regulated radio station are problems with some systems. Our wireless clocks use open frequency 900 MHz signals and mesh networking for trouble-free operation throughout the entire facility.
Why no FCC license
Radio frequency regulators allocated certain frequencies for flexible use in Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) applications. These ISM bands include 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz, better known as WiFi. A license is not required to protect from interference between different wireless systems when using FCC approved spread-spectrum technology such as frequency-hopping. Our wireless clocks fully comply with FCC regulations to ensure reliability. No site survey needed. No cost or wait time for approving the licensing application. And no need to maintain the license when it expires.
How a mesh network supports simple and reliable time
Each facility has unique structural properties that make a single transmitter solution problematic. Our wireless clock system is made extremely reliable by using each clock as a repeater. Not only does each clock receive the time synchronization signal, it also transmits. The critical factor is not the signal path from transmitter to the most distance clock, it is the distance from one clock to another. More clocks means greater signal strength. The system is also inherently redundant. If one unit fails, other clocks continue to broadcast the time.
What is legally traceable time
Time as represented by the second is one of the seven legally defined units of measure. Official worldwide time is known as Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). UTC is broadcast by GPS satellites to anywhere on earth. To ensure that time used within a facility is legally traceable, you need a secure and reliable GPS-enabled master clock to receive, log and distribute UTC (including adjustments for time zones and DST). Our system uses the proven NetClock® time server as the system’s master clock. The time server continually tracks up to 12 GPS satellites with error-checking. Extensive logging creates documentation for traceability. Back-up options maintain legally traceable time in the event of GPS outage. A dial-out modem option can receive official time independent from GPS or an optional GPS-backup oscillator maintains accurate time internally for up to 2 years.
See how time is legally traceable
More than just clocks
A NetClock NTP time server can synchronize virtually any device that uses time such as network devices (servers, workstations, routers, firewalls), voice and video systems, telephony, security systems, building automation, access control, fire alarms, electronic record systems. NTP is an internet protocol for distributing synchronized time. Most operating systems support NTP. Just configure your network devices to receive time from the time server so all your time sensitive devices use legally traceable time. The time server can output synchronized time in a variety of formats for specialized devices such as ASCII and IRIG timecodes. Frequency outputs such as 10 MHz and one pulse-per-second can be used to synchronize frequency controlled devices.
How do I install the wireless clock system
Installation of facility-wide legally traceable time is easy:
- Install the GPS antenna (roof-top, window-mount option available). Install an optional modem for backup or use as primary if a suitable GPS antenna location is not available.
- Connect the GPS antenna cable to the time server and connect the time server to the transmitter as an NTP client on the network or through a twisted-pair RS-485 direct connection up to 4,000 feet.
- Install the wireless clocks. Upon power-up, the clocks will synchronize to the transmitter signal.
- Consider other devices in the facility that can be synchronized to the time server either through a network connection or direct connection.
Simple and reliable synchronized time for your entire facility. Back to Wireless Clock System.