SecureSync 2400 Ensuring Mission-Critical Time Synchronization

Safran Federal Systems

Time Synchronization Data is Foundational to PNT Performance

Fundamentally, time synchronization is the alignment of independent clocks to the same time and frequency. It provides critical functionality for services that depend on precise, synchronized timing to manage device security, availability, and efficiency and supports a wide array of business and infrastructure systems. Defense time synchronization applications directly support warfighters in theater through vital Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) functionality.

PNT applications leverage GNSS/GPS location data for navigation and precise timekeeping to support operational efficiency and seamless communications. As satellites continuously broadcast their own time and position information, receivers trilaterate, calculating the distance between the receiver and each satellite to determine position and time details for the end user and their equipment. This supports mission-critical communication, movement, and collaborative processes.

In military PNT applications, time synchronization for defense requires the highest levels of accuracy and consistency for real-time operational support. In modern theaters, as Electronic Warfare (EW) domains become both more prevalent and more contested, warfighter operations dependent upon PNT functions are increasingly at risk. Escalating AI and machine-to-machine communications capabilities provide new tools for adversaries to disrupt PNT systems and operations and must be accounted for.

Three satellites with signal waves intersect over a blue circle, forming a GPS triangulation visual on a dark background, showing how GPS data provides continuous precise positioning and timekeeping — Figure 1: GPS data provides continuous precise positioning and timekeeping.

SecureSync 2400 Delivers Reliable PNT Data Across Domains

As industry leaders in the PNT space, Safran Federal Systems (SFS) has developed the SecureSync 2400 - a GNSS time server with a layered-defense approach to address GNSS threats and maintain PNT integrity. In the SecureSync platform, threats are mitigated by building redundancy into the timing system architecture. Redundancy is achieved through the integration of high-performance internal oscillators and strong modularity with a choice of customizable input interfaces. This design approach makes the SecureSync 2400 highly resilient and adaptable.

Graph titled Holdover Simulation showing OCXO and Rubidium offsets over time. OCXO curve climbs faster. X-axis: Duration (hrs), Y-axis: Offset (sec). — Figure 2: SFS Oscillator Performance

Key capabilities of the SecureSync 2400 include:

Multi-GNSS receiver built-in
M-Code supported
Multi-reference failover reliability
Modular and scalable with option cards
Built-in networking capabilities
Comprehensive management and monitoring interfaces
High availability with hot swap redundant power supply option

Diagram showing Securesync device can be a NTP Server and PTP Grandmaster. Text includes NTP, PTP, and Computer Networks. — Figure 3: SecureSync as an NTP Server and PTP Grandmaster.

The platform leverages both Network Time Protocol (NTP) and Precision Time Protocol (PTP) for a diverse suite of use cases and applications. NTP applications are cost effective and software-driven internet solutions for general IT networks and database servers with millisecond accuracy. PTP applications are high-performance hardware solutions cast on local area networks (LAN) with much tighter tolerances offering microsecond accuracy. They are used for RF communications, radar systems, data transmission, power synchronization, and scientific instrumentation.

In military applications, the SecureSync 2400 supports fundamental Command and Control and Datacenter operations.

Command and Control: Requires resilient and accurate time and frequency to synchronize systems monitoring and control elements over the network, along with low phase noise frequency references for RF transmitters (radar). May also provide time and frequency for communications and test equipment (radio communications).
Datacenter: Resilient and accurate network timing for single or multi-tenant networks.

When defense time synchronization and PNT efforts are disrupted, warfighters can suffer communications failure, lose sight and tracking of equipment and personnel, and fail to execute. This risk becomes more pronounced without resilient PNT tools. A secure time server for defense applications, like the SecureSync 2400, mitigates the risk of disruption through an ecosystem of solutions to GNSS threats.

Military-Grade Time Synchronization for Resilient PNT Performance

For military- and defense-focused applications, time servers need to offer additional performance features beyond commercial NTP and PTP functionality.

Resilient

Securing time reference acquisition and timescale keeping during GNSS interference differentiates military from commercial applications. Military time servers need varied solutions to address dynamic threats in theater without performance loss. The SecureSync Interference Detection and Mitigation (IDM) suite builds an operational awareness into the solution to mitigate threats.

Modular

In military use cases, individual time servers generally need to be dynamic and customizable to support evolving threats and requirements while offering field serviceability. This is achieved through modular, open-system designs, like SecureSync, which provides more than 40 installable option cards for additional power and functionality.

M-Code Enabled

Encrypted M-Code signals provide unique operational benefits to warfighters including strengthened jamming resistance and anti-spoof capabilities. As such, M-Code integration has become a key feature of contemporary military time servers. The SecureSync 2400 is engineered to integrate with M-Code inputs for enhanced protection in challenged environments.

Evolution of the SecureSync Platform

As both the need for comprehensive time synchronization tools and GNSS threats evolve, the SecureSync time & frequency platform continues to develop. The SecureSync 2400 represents a step forward in resilient timing. The upgraded platform maintains compatibility with the previous SecureSync option card set and emphasizes a renewed focus on critical operations through:

Network capability, security, redundancy, & monitoring to support critical operations
An advanced SoC system architecture with increased processing capability
Improved internal frequency performance and distribution

Additionally, the SecureSync 2400 supports multiple NTP and PTP option cards and an ALTNAV module that are unavailable on the SecureSync 1200.

Conclusion

Warfighter domains are constantly evolving, bringing about new risks to communications and operations through GNSS threats. In order to mitigate these risks, operating forces can leverage military-grade time servers like the SFS SecureSync 2400. This reliable and resilient time server supports complex objectives in GNSS-challenged domains by providing accurate time signals that are critical for mission success. Equipped with powerful oscillators and a proven architecture, the SecureSync 2400 ensures time accuracy and continuity even in the face of GNSS disruptions. With its adaptable and redundant threat detection and mitigation strategy, this time server keeps operations secure and mission-critical tasks running smoothly. In conclusion, the SecureSync 2400 is designed to be Secure, Resilient, Monitored, and Scalable to perform now but also adapt to future GNSS challenges, making it an invaluable asset for military operations.

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