GENEVA—The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) released updated guidance to help countries maintain precision time systems.
Precision timekeeping enables reliable operations of critical infrastructure, including communications networks, navigation systems, electricity networks and financial systems.
The latest guidance is published in ITU’s “Handbook on Selection and Use of Precise Frequency and Time Systems.” It offers governments, engineers and technical specialists an updated reference on the technologies used to generate, measure, compare and distribute precise frequency and time signals.
“Global connectivity depends on technologies working together seamlessly—precision time is one of the foundations that makes this possible,” said Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU secretary-general. “Through international cooperation and technical expertise, ITU is helping countries strengthen the reliability and resilience of the timing systems that support communications and critical infrastructure worldwide.”
The new ITU guide is the first update since 1997. It covers the fundamental principles of frequency and time measurement, the operation of modern atomic clocks and the technologies used to disseminate precise time across national and international networks.