NTS 01 Rev 1 – User Manual March 2006
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Tekron International Ltd
PO Box 31 285 Lower Hutt 6009 New Zealand
tel:
+64 4 566 7722
fax:
+64 4 569 9272
email:
1
Introduction – NTS01 Features
NTS01 Network Time Servers provide precision time references for synchronising Ethernet
networks. The NTS01 features multiple independently-addressed Time Server Ports each
supporting NTP protocol. Up to five Time Server Ports can be accommodated in a single NTS01
1U Rack. Each NTS01 base unit has a built-in GPS-synchronised master clock which provides
the source reference time used by all of the Time Server ports. It follows, therefore, in terms of
Network Time Protocol (NTP) definitions, that the NTS01 Time Server Ports are Stratum 1 NTP
sources.
The NTS01 product is ideally suited for use in industrial environments and can provide NTP
server functions to multiple independent Ethernet networks. Each Time Server Port is
independently configurable, and provides status reporting over Ethernet using SNMP.
Each NTS01 1U rack includes a sync status relay to allow integration with other station alarm
monitoring functions via RTU. Each unit also includes an expansion facility (both input and
output ports for IRIG-B code) enabling multiple racks of NTS01 units to all share a single GPS
antenna. When connected in this way, the total number of NTP Stratum 1 Ethernet Time Server
Ports that can be realised from a single GPS antenna is limited only by the rack-space available,
with each successive 5-port unit occupying a further 1U space.
All NTS01 base units feature a front panel display, giving users visual feedback of time and
date, with LED indicators providing “at a glance” status information.
Fig 1. NTS01 Front Panel
The optimised Receiver / Antenna system employed in NTS01 derives time information from up
to 12 GPS satellites simultaneously. The result is sub-millisecond timing precision on all
Ethernet Time Server outputs, and sub-microsecond precision on the IRIG-B output.
It is supplied complete with all hardware and software required for installation, including rack-
mount kit, connectors, 30m lead-in antenna cable, and antenna.