[ntp:questions] Re: ntp accuracy with radio clocks
Richard B. Gilbert
rgilbert88 at comcast.net
Fri May 5 18:38:34 UTC 2006
Mauro Fiacco wrote:
> Hello to All,
>
> I was wondering what accuracy can be achieved with radio clocks (I live
> in UK, so I would use the Rugby MSF transmission at 60KHz)
>
> I understand that issues like calibration for radio propagation may be
> required, but I was wondering about your experience with radio clocks.
>
> I am also interested about stability of the offset (for my application
> is more important than absolute accuracy)
>
> Thank you.
>
> Regards,
>
> Mauro
I'd say that performance depends almost entirely on how good your
reception is. If you get a good, solid, signal 24 hours a day, your
accuracy should be within a few milliseconds. If you can live with +/-
five or ten milliseconds, go with MSF.
My own preference would be for GPS. I get better than 5 microseconds
and a server that is so stable that I can maintain synchronization
within a millisecond or so on my LAN.
You probably will want to check out Jonathan Buzzard's "Radio Clock".
He has a design for a timing receiver consisting of a integrated circuit
receiver chip, an antenna, two transistors and a power supply. There
may be a couple of resistors in there too. It looks incredibly simple
to put together. I think the budget for parts is something like $60-$70 US.
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