Critical infrastructures such as 5G wireless networks and smart power grids rely on resilient timing and synchronisation to enable secure and reliable services. Many operators are transitioning to hybrid architectures that use secure network-based timing to reduce dependency on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) alone. Operators must monitor live-sky GNSS synchronisation reception and secure network-based synchronisation transmission to ensure resilient timing for their critical infrastructures.
Microchip’s TimePictra 11 software suite provides full control and monitoring of all synchronisation sources and distribution trails in the network, allowing you to instantly detect and respond to potential security threats or performance issues. The addition of Microchip’s BlueSky™ GNSS Firewall enables real-time detection and response to potential GNSS jamming and spoofing security threats.
Use Cases
5G
5G networks are being deployed worldwide, but each network can only function with accurate and dependable time. Without accurate time, 5G networks may need to shut down.
The TimePictra platform provides all the features and functions needed to deploy, configure, manage, verify, visualise, and monitor a 5G network.
Power Utilities
Power is critical to infrastructure and the demands placed on power utilities are growing daily. Combining the TimePictra platform with virtual Primary Reference Time Clock (vPRTC) architectures provides accurate sub-microsecond time while drastically reducing GNSS dependance while managing, verifying, and monitoring such critical networks.
Transportation
Public transportation networks require high-accuracy timing and GNSS monitoring in many cases at their remote locations to ensure their other GNSS-dependent services continue to function. The TimePictra platform, vPRTC architecture and Microchip’s BlueSky™ firewall deliver critical distribution and monitoring functions
Situational Awareness
Just as a network firewall detects and protects against network attacks, a GNSS firewall identifies jamming and spoofing threats and alerts critical infrastructure operators of untrusted sky-based signals. The TimePictra Synchronisation and Management System provides full visibility into sky-based and network-based timing.
Protect PNT Infrastructure with the TimePictra® Platform and BlueSky™ GNSS Firewall
Watch Microchip’s video tutorial demonstrating the use of the TimePictra platform with BlueSky GNSS Firewall systems. This tutorial provides a comprehensive overview of the health of GNSS signal reception worldwide. It includes various scenarios on how to monitor, detect and analyse GNSS anomalies related to different GNSS metrics such as phase time offsets, position deviations and satellite count measurements.
The Chronos difference
Contact the Chronos team to discuss how TimePictra can monitor your timing network to ensure it is secure, redundant, protected and meeting the tight timing margins that cutting edge networks demand.
Key Features
Management and monitoring of synchronisation architectures for critical infrastructure operators
Web-based clustered server architecture
Comprehensive Fault, Configuration, Accounting (Inventory), Performance and Security (FCAPS)management functions
Geographical topology and domain navigation
User preference dashboard customisation
Intuitive web GUI for easy management
Scalable architecture for future expansion
SNMP, TeMIP and REST API northbound OSS integration