Industry Literature - December 6, 2016
Maintaining accurate time is key in the travel industry, especially in airport terminals and air traffic control systems. Airports and airlines are particularly busy during summer and holiday vacation periods, which is stressful for workers as well as passengers. Having correct airport terminal clocks and in-sync air traffic control systems is essential. One way to reduce stress, prevent delays, and ensure smooth transportation schedules is to maintain precise time synchronization.
Synchronizing Airport Terminals and Air Traffic Control Systems
Complex Airport IT Systems
Having precise clocks in airport terminals is not only essential for passengers, but also for the intricate information technology systems that airports use. These systems create event tags that provide chronological checks for key areas of airports such as security, baggage handling, and traffic control. Most of the time, airport IT systems are comprised of:
- computers
- baggage systems
- CCTV and security cameras
- flight and passenger details
- telephone systems
It's important for all of these system components to be linked to hardware that provides accurate time synchronization. Below are just a few benefits of an airport IT system in sync.
Automatic DST Updates
Manually updating each clock in an airport for Daylight Saving Time is a very big task. With a synchronized system, all of the clocks update automatically. This saves time for facility maintenance personnel to focus on more important tasks and gives airport workers, air traffic controllers, and passengers peace of mind in knowing that the time is always accurate.
Time Zone Solutions
Time zone clocks provide the ability to show accurate times in current and other locations. This is particularly helpful for flight attendants, pilots, and passengers on international flights. Having time zone clocks linked through a synchronized system makes the time transition easier.
Synchronized Masterclock Systems
Masterclock provides several synchronized solutions for airport terminal and air traffic control synchronization. Take a look at an overview of each of its products below:
NTP100-GPS Time Server – This Network Time Protocol server references the atomic clocks in the Global Positioning System (GPS) and distributes reference signals through an Ethernet connection. Its long-term accuracy is the same as the GPS atomic clocks. It also has a timestamp precision of 5 to 10 milliseconds. Airports can take advantage of assignable network configuration and an output accuracy of plus or minus two milliseconds.
- CLKNTD Series NTP Analog Clocks change– Measuring 12-18 inches in diameter, this series of analog clocks references time from an internet or NTP server. Masterclock offers four models. All models feature configurable time zone offsets, standard Ethernet wiring, PoE power, automatic DST changes, optional illuminated faceplates and chassis colors in black or stainless steel.
- NTDS Series NTP Digital Clocks – Measuring 1-7 inches, these digital clocks can sync to any NTP server. Each model configures to automatic DST and time zone parameters through WinDiscovery software. With Ethernet wiring, the clocks can also receive power over Ethernet.
All of these synchronized components are ideal for keeping accurate time throughout airport terminals and air traffic control towers. Request a quote to learn more about our airport and air traffic control time servers and clocks.
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Presentation by John Clark, CEO & Dr. Demetrios Matsakis, Chief ScientistTime Behind and Beyond the Clock
