5 fintech trends you should be watching in 2023

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In the fast-paced world of global financial services, gaining competitive advantage is a synonym to staying ahead of the curve. With banks, stock exchanges, credit institutions, investment firms still struggling in their push for innovation, fintech startups are sprouting everywhere, deploying groundbreaking technology, and questioning traditional banking. With that in mind, let’s take a look at 5 fintech trends that will undoubtedly shape the future of global financial services. 


5 fintech trends

1. Accurate and precise time synchronization

There are over 100 billion microprocessors with clocks but they aren’t all displaying the correct time. As the world’s critical infrastructure and global financial markets become more digitised, this incongruence becomes more worrying.

In a distributed computing environment, it is impossible to determine what caused what unless all devices’ clocks agree and the billions of daily transactions are time stamped accurately.

Time is distributed through the global network satellite system (GNSS) which has come under criticism in recent years due to its vulnerability. A slight interference in this system could cause major disruptions in navigation and global trading activities, not to mention added complications when investigating the sequence of transactions in suspicious trading, or the proof of accurate timing needed to be MiFID II and CAT compliant.

Precise and resilient software-based time from both satellite and terrestrial sources addresses this vulnerability. Hoptroff’s Traceable Time as a Service (TTaaS®), synchronizes server clocks to UTC through both satellite and terrestrial sources. It’s more resilient, scalable, and more easily deployed requiring no additional hardware.

This article will touch upon four more fintech trends of 2023, and why accurate and precise time synchronization is the key to their development.

2. Cryptocurrency

The speed and convenience at which transactions are processed is becoming increasingly important. This has opened the door to digital, or crypto currencies and real time payments (RTPs).

Cryptocurrency transactions are recorded on a decentralised ledger or blockchain and although they’re not easily accessible to everyone, this will change as banks open their virtual doors.

CBDCs are a form of digital currency centrally controlled by national banks, backed with real money and issued over blockchain. China is already piloting their CBDC eCNY in four cities and is anticipated to introduce it fully in 2023.

Why accurate and precise time synchronization matters in cryptocurrency

While CBDCs are regulated by a country’s central bank and should therefore encourage financial inclusion, their centralised nature means certain design choices could increase anonymity for individuals involved in nefarious activities. This is why accurate time stamping at the point they are exchanged to and from real cash is so important. This is not possible without accurate and precise time synchronization.

Many central banks are already looking into the assurances offered by timestamping every transaction of CBDCs rather than only when the digital currency is exchanged for real cash.

3. The Metaverse

No one is denying the revolutionary potential of the Metaverse. As a digital 3D space designed for virtual interactions it holds the key to countless new opportunities for fintech companies. Although a boost in sales productivity may be expected as people will be able to meet face-to-face with clients from around the world in a single afternoon, added convenience comes with complications.

As cross-border teams collaborate, the online software tools through which they interact need to be reliable – this begins with precise timing synchronization. Whether it’s Google Docs or a new haptic tool, devices showing different times can cause unnecessary difficulties when collaborating through the Metaverse.

Why accurate and precise time synchronization matters in the metaverse.

The metaverse must be a real-time system over computing distributed all around the world. That can’t possibly work unless the processing and data flow are synchronized through precise timing.

4. Smart contracts

Smart contracts are locked software programs stored on a blockchain. These programs begin actions automatically following the completion of contractual obligations. Such actions could include paying both sides a sum in cryptocurrency, or simply releasing protected data to one party involved. This negates the need for an intermediary such as an escrow, in which funds would ordinarily be held by a third party until the conditions are met.

This fintech trend expects companies to further test the utility of smart contracts in 2023. Decentralised finance (DeFi) and other companies may wish to investigate how smart contracts safeguard transactional security and resilience in global financial services.

Why accurate and precise time synchronization matters for smart contracts

Cryptocurrency ensures the record of the digital ledger cannot be modified after the fact, even by the ledger owner, without it being obvious that it has been modified. Hoptroff TTaaS® can provide time for crypto traders by putting trusted and traceable timestamps in the ledger so there can be no doubt about when events happened – as it stands right now, the ledgers only prove the sequence in which events happened, not precisely when.

5. Machine Learning Operations (MLOs)

Machine learning employs algorithms to help computers and other machines understand and predict the behaviours and intentions behind digital interactions.

Innumerable figures and endless calculations drive the fintech industry meaning it will likely be a primary beneficiary of MLOs in 2023. The enormity of this data requires complex and intelligent analysis and reporting. This would be incredibly costly and time consuming using traditional rule-based computing that relies on constant human input.

MLOs are already transforming global financial services areas like risk management, fraud analysis and sales forecasting.

Why accurate and precise time synchronization matters for MLOs

Improving data reliability betters the AI model. Most data is collected in a delayed fashion, so to understand interactions between, for example, various sensors, those sensors need traceable and secure timestamps to bring the picture into focus.

Ready to learn more? 

When thousands of transactions and data get processed every second, a high-level of accuracy and reliability is required for critical infrastructure services. Accurate timing solution like Hoptroff Traceable Time as a Service is ready to be rolled out without the purchase and installation of additional timing infrastructure.

(TTaaS®) is a range of network and software-based timing solutions that are simple, resilient, and cost-effective.

Whether you need the security of verifiable time for compliance, or precision timing in your IT network and business-critical documents, our obsession with accuracy will transform your business.


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Time Synchronization for Secure Networks Using Fiber

Government and military networks often utilize the concept of unclassified networks vs classified networks to manage levels of information security. Since a complete “air-gap” around a highly sensitive network is not practical, every data connection is evaluated as a security risk.

When it comes to accurate synchronization traceable to time standards on a classified network, we lose the ability to deploy a GPS receiver due to restrictions on wireless connections. The best choice for a “wired” connection is fiber optics since they do not emit nor receive electromagnetic energy. In its SecureSync synchronization platform, Orolia has deployed fiber optics for the transfer of any digital synchronization signal that can be utilized for synchronization of isolated networks.

A pair of SecureSyncs are deployed on opposites sides of a security boundary. The unit on the unclassified network is deployed with a GPS receiver and transmits highly accurate timing data to the unit on the classified network via IRIG time code. Then this “IRIG slave” operates as the master clock for all time-sensitive devices on the classified network. In this scheme, a single master can serve many isolated networks via multiple IRIG ports.

The IRIG connection is one-way. IRIG time code is not a communication protocol therefore, there are no requests nor hand-shaking. A time and date message is streamed point-to-point. The transmitter of IRIG data cannot receive any information and the receiver cannot transmit any information to comply with the practices of network isolation.

At the time of this writing, Orolia utilizes Avago Technologies’ fiber optic ports (transmitter P/N = HFBR-1414TZ; receiver P/N = HFBR-2416TZ). However, if further qualification is required contact us to verify the current configuration.



Accurate Time with Network Isolation

  • Compatible with SIPRNET and NIPRNET
  • No wireless connection (GPS receiver)
  • One-way communication via IRIG timing protocol does not allow unauthorized access
  • Fiber optic connections protect against unauthorized access

SecureSync as a Flexible Time and Frequency Reference

  • GPS master deployed on unclassified network
  • IRIG slave deployed on classified network
  • IRIG signaling via 820 nm multi-mode ST fiber connectors)
  • IRIG DCLS option with 4 outputs (model 1204-1E) on master
  • IRIG DCLS option with 1 input and 2 outputs (model 1204-27) on slave

Keeping Your Clocks Accurate

Electronic clocks control critical functions in many applications. However, clocks are often designed for low cost rather than for keeping accurate time.

Even fairly accurate computer clocks will vary due to manufacturing defects, changes in temperature, electric and magnetic interference, the age of the quartz crystal, or even system load. Even the smallest errors in keeping time can significantly add up over a long period of time. Consider two clocks that are synchronized at the beginning of the year, but one consistently takes an extra 0.04 milliseconds to increment itself by a second. By the end of a year, the two clocks will differ in time by more than 20 minutes. If a clock is off by just 10 parts per million, it will gain or lose almost a second a day.

Synchronization to GPS

The GPS system synchronizes to 24 satellites each with three or four on-board atomic clocks. The US Naval Observatory monitors the satellites clocks and sends control signals to minimize the differences between their atomic clocks and a master atomic clock for accuracy and traceable to national and international standards (known as UTC). For time synchronizing a clock, the GPS signal is received and distributed by a master clock, time server, or primary reference source to a device, system, or network so the local clocks are synchronized to UTC. Typical accuracies range from better than 500 nanoseconds to 1 millisecond anywhere on earth. The GPS clock synchronization eliminates the need for manual clock setting (an error-prone process). The benefits of GPS synchronization are numerous and include: legally validated time stamps, regulatory compliance, secure networking, and operational efficiency. At the same time you can synchronize all your devices such as

Computer clocks (servers and workstations)

  • Network devices (routers, switches, firewalls)
  • Telecommunications networks (PBXs, MUXs, SONET networks, wireless systems)
  • Critical devices and networks (9-1-1 centers, command and control operations, military test ranges, radar systems, time displays)
  • Physical security systems (video, building access controls, networks)
  • IT security systems (cryptography, authentication, encryption)
  • Facility wall clocks

Don’t Spend Time on Time

Network Instruments Connection Dynamics

Adjusting Clocks for Daylight Saving Time:

Daylight saving time comes twice a year, once in March and again in November. This can be a big hassle for maintenance teams, facility managers, IT staff, and anyone else in charge of keeping a building running smoothly. Adjusting for daylight saving time is easier if you have a synchronized clock system that performs DST updates automatically. Such a smooth transition means you can address other maintenance needs in the building, because who wants to spend time on time?

Calculate your lost time!

If keeping everyone in sync and on time is critical to your operations, then daylight saving time can be a big hassle. By adjusting each clock manually you’re spending a lot of time going from clock to clock adjusting each clock, and sometimes clocks are not easily accessible needing a ladder or lift, or waiting for a room to become available.

How Much Time can You Save?

If you have 100 clocks to manage and each clock takes 5 minutes to adjust, that takes you 8 hours twice a year to get everyone synchronized.

5 minutes/clock x 100 clocks x 2 DST events = 1000 minutes per year

1000 minutes ÷ 60 = 16 hours/Year

Its Time to Upgrade

Different technologies can be used to synchronize your clocks to meet any building requirement.


POE Network Clocks





PoE Network Clocks

Wireless Clocks

Wifi Clocks

Timing Calibration of a GNSS Receiver

StableNet Sys Log


Timing Calibration of a GNSS Receiver

GNSS is well-known for its ability to provide a position with sub-meter accuracy. However, it is less well-known that GNSS provides a very convenient way of obtaining nanosecond (or even sub-nanosecond) timing accuracy via a GNSS receiver. Indeed, in addition to the three spatial dimensions, GNSS enables the user to compute the clock bias and the drift of the receiver’s clock with respect to the atomic clock of the GNSS constellations. To perform this properly, it is necessary to first calibrate the GNSS receiver and the RF setup from the antenna to the receiver.

Precisely measuring the accuracy of the 1-PPS signal of a GNSS receiver can be challenging, especially as we are dealing with nanosecond uncertainties. The variability (atmospheric conditions, multipath, etc.) and unpredictability of live-sky signals prevent the manufacturer or the end user from calibrating equipment using these signals. RF circuitry and signal processing algorithms are also very sensitive to each signal’s frequency and modulation. Delays can vary up to several nanoseconds between each GNSS signal, which explains why the time synchronization needs to be assessed for each signal.

As a result, the best way to correctly measure the accuracy of a GNSS receiver is to use a well-calibrated GNSS simulator as a reference. A GNSS simulator allows the user to control every type of atmospheric effect and to reproduce a deterministic and repetitive signal. The simulator can also provide a 1-PPS signal for use as a reference for the device under test (DUT).

However, in this case the challenge is to measure and certify the accuracy of the GNSS simulator. The classical approach to generating simulated signals is to use real-time hardware (such as FPGA) to synthesize each satellite signal (usually described as channels) in intermediate frequency (IF). The drawback of this approach is that each FPGA can only handle a limited number of channels, which therefore requires independently calibrating each cluster of satellites. This calibration process is laborious and a major source of errors.

One of the key advantages of the Orolia’s Skydel GNSS simulator is its ability to use the power of the GPU to generate digitally and in baseband each and every satellite signal (as well as multipath or interferences). With Skydel, all satellite signals on the same frequency band are synthesized together with the same hardware components from baseband to RF signal. Consequently, the Skydel simulator needs to be calibrated only once for the two GNSS bands, and the delay between each satellite signal on the same carrier is perfectly equal to zero.

Finally, the Skydel GNSS simulator has been designed from the start to be synchronized with an external reference clock and to easily synchronize an unlimited number of Skydel instances among themselves (for instance, synchronizing multiple antennae or multiple receivers).

This application note gives an overview of the typical timing configurations provided by the Skydel simulator and explains how the end user can accurately calibrate the simulator with its specific laboratory setup (RF cables, LNA, splitters, etc.).

Timing configurations

GPSDO Reference clock

The simplest way to use the Skydel GNSS simulator to calibrate a timing receiver is to set up a basic configuration that uses an Ettus X300 SDR equipped with a GPSDO clock inside. In this case, the GPSDO serves as both a 10 MHz and a 1 PPS reference clock.

For this configuration, we must select GPSDO as a reference clock in the X300 output settings.

With this configuration, the RF signal is synchronized with the 1 PPS output of the X300 radio.

External reference clock – single Skydel session

If the user wants to use an external reference clock for the GNSS simulator, it is also possible to synchronize the SDR (or multiple SDRs) with external 10 MHz and 1 PPS references. In this case, connect the 1 PPS input and reference input of each of the X300 SDRs to the corresponding outputs of the external clock. It is important to use strictly identical cables for each of these connections.

For this configuration, we must select External as a reference clock in the X300 settings, doing so for each SDR.

In the Global→ Synchronize simulators settings, we must configure the Skydel simulator as Master.

With this configuration, the RF signal is synchronized with the 1 PPS output of the reference clock. Note that, in this case, the 1 PPS outputs of your SDRs are deactivated as they are not synchronized with any signal.

External reference clock – multiple Skydel sessions

Finally, multiple Skydel sessions can be synchronized with one or more SDRs active in each session. The principle is the same as with a single Skydel session—we need to use an external reference clock to synchronize each of the SDR.

For this configuration, we must also select External as a reference clock in the X300 output settings for each SDR. In the Global→ Synchronize simulators settings, we must configure one of the Skydel simulator sessions as Master.

All of the remaining sessions must be configured as Slaves.



Similar to the configuration with a single Skydel instance, the RF signals are synchronized with the 1 PPS output of the reference clock.

Calibration procedure

Configuration Setup

The Skydel simulator is designed to provide a consistent PPS signal with an accuracy equal or better than 5 ns. This calibration is performed for each configuration described in this document and for each sampling rate selected on the SDR output.

However, the user may have a custom installation with RF cables, LNA, attenuators, and splitters between the RF output and the receiver under test. Each of these components adds a supplemental delay to the RF signal propagation that the user may need to evaluate. Furthermore, with good instrumentation, it is possible to achieve far better delay measurement accuracy (e.g., lower than 1 ns).

The procedure required to evaluate supplemental delays with the Skydel simulator with a high degree of precision is as follows:

First, the measurement setup requires an oscilloscope connected to both the 1 PPS reference and the RF signal where we need to assess the delay (for instance at the input of the receiver). While the following figure illustrates a configuration with an internal reference clock (GPSDO), it is applicable for the other configurations described in this document (i.e., the 1 PPS reference becomes the 1 PPS output of the external clock).

To measure the delay between the RF signal and the 1 PPS, it is then necessary to create a specific scenario on the Skydel simulator. The simplest way to measure the timing of the RF signal is to broadcast a single GPS C/A satellite signal and to observe the transition between the last chip and the first chip of the modulation code. Thanks to the specific design of the Skydel simulator, each of the other GNSS signals will now be perfectly aligned with the C/A code.

Scenario description

Create a new scenario within Skydel and configure a new radio broadcasting-only GPS C/A signal on the output to be measured. In the Settings panel, select the output bandwidth that will be used to evaluate the timing receiver.

In the GPS→ General tab, uncheck the signal propagation delay option. Skydel will then simulate pseudoranges with a zero delay for each of the satellites, enabling it to accurately align the C/A code with the 1 PPS signal.

In the Message Modification→ NAV tab, add a new message modification on satellite #10. Set each of the bits to 0 (including parity bits) on all of the subframe as well as the word. With this modification, we are sure to have a 0/1 chip transition at the end of the modulation code (every ms).

In GPS→ Signals, unselect the RF signal for all satellite signals except PRN 10. (PRN10 is visible in the default configuration of Skydel and, as the last chip of the spreading code, it has the opposite sign of the first chip.)

In GPS→ Signal level, set the global signal power and GPS C/A code to the maximum (10 dB each); this should ensure that the RF signal is displayed on the oscilloscope.

Run the simulation and adjust the oscilloscope to display both the 1 PPS signal and the RF signal. We can now accurately measure the delay between the rising edge of the 1 PPS and the phase inversion of the RF signal. This helps us determine the delay for which to compensate on all future measurements with the same laboratory setup.

Note: Due to a limitation with the oscilloscope used here, the 1 PPS signal is not drawn. However, the 50% rising edge is aligned with the vertical dashed line on the figure. The plain line is synchronized with the phase inversion of the RF signal. In this example, we measure a fixed offset of 520 +/- 100 ps between 1 PPS and RF signals.

Conclusion

While GNSS has shown itself to be an indispensable system for positioning and navigation, it is also critical for a number of timing applications such as banking or energy generation and transmission. For these types of applications, an accurate characterization of the timing receiver is essential; consequently, the use of a GNSS simulator is key to achieving such accuracy.

The power of Orolia’s Skydel GNSS simulator is its ability to synthesize all GNSS signals in baseband, which means that all satellites signals on the same frequency band are perfectly synchronized among themselves. As a result, the system timing calibration—a complicated and expensive operation on other systems—is highly simplified on the Skydel simulator.

Two problems need to be solved in any time-related application:

StableNet Network Management Solutions 5


Master Clock

  1. Which clock is used as the reference for all other clocks
  2. How to transfer the time from the reference clock to all other clocks

The solution is to use a master clock as your reference. Master clock systems are used in a wide variety of applications and industries including aerospace and defence, broadcast, radio and telecom, network systems, financial services, emergency operations, call centers, and healthcare — essentially anywhere reliability of data and signals are paramount.

What is a master clock?  

A master clock takes one or more precise timing reference signals as inputs, and then converts and distributes those timing references to other devices. The method by which the accuracy of the master clock is transferred to other secondary clocks is known as synchronization. Typically, GPS satellite signals are utilized for synchronization to ensure accurate time, but other references may be used such as local atomic clocks or other time standards.

A core feature of all master clock systems is that they accept precise timing reference signals as input. It is a rare case for a master clock to be free-running and not continuously synchronized, or at least compared against an external reference. Orolia’s SecureSync modular time and frequency synchronization system can accept over 14 different signal types to discipline its local clock. This system can then generate a similar number of signal types to synchronize other devices. In case of loss of the external reference (or any redundant references), the local clock maintains timing accuracy using a local clock oscillator until the reference(s) can be restored. Several different clock oscillators are offered depending on the accuracy required during the “hold over” period.

Network master clocks can distribute their timing references over local or wide area networks. Master clocks with wireless transmitters enable synchronization of devices like display clocks without having to run wires between them for the synchronization signal. There are also highly accurate master clock solutions that utilize copper or fibre connections for precise analog and digital signal distribution, such as IRIG timecode signals.

Orolia offers a variety of master clock systems to meet the requirements for your application of accurate time. Learn more about flexible SecureSync Master Clocks

What is a Leap Second and How Does It Affect Me?

By David Sohn, Solution Architect

A leap second is a discontinuity in the world’s official timescale and is a risk for those developing and maintaining GPS/GNSS systems and/or managing a time synchronization deployment. The last leap second occurred on December 31, 2016.

This blog is to help you understand the leap second vulnerability and plan ahead for the next leap second so that your applications will continue to operate smoothly. The ITU-R issued a statement about leap seconds that the WRC decided not to change the characteristics of radio broadcasts of UTC so leap seconds will continue at least until 2023.

What Is a Leap Second?

Since the official definition of time is based on atomic standards, a leap second is inserted in the UTC time scale to keep it in step with the solar day — much like a leap day is used to keep the calendar in step with the seasons. A leap second can be added or removed, although historically leap seconds have only been added. A leap second typically occurs at the end of the day (UTC) on December 31 or June 30 and usually announced approximately six months in advance.

How Does a Leap Second Affect GPS/GNSS?

You probably know that time synchronization is fundamental to how GPS/GNSS works. The developers of GNSS knew that the system could not tolerate a discontinuity, so GPS/GNSS time is not affected by the leap second. But, since GPS/GNSS is used ubiquitously for time transfer, the message includes leap second information that all GNSS devices need to decode and properly handle. Orolia simulators can test GPS/GNSS devices compliance to the GPS interface specification for proper leap second handling and identify any detrimental effects of the leap second on the application. They also can perform similar testing on leap second handling in other GNSS systems. It is important not only to test the handling of leap seconds by the GPS/GNSS system, but also to test how that time propagates through a time synchronization deployment to the end system.

How Does a Leap Second Affect Time Synchronization?

Most time synchronization messages transmit time-of-day information in UTC, the official timescale, which includes leap seconds. The most popular network time synchronization protocols, NTP and PTP, have a mechanism to alert that a leap second is pending — but it is up to the computer operating system to manage it properly. Other timing signal protocols like IRIG, HAVE QUICK, and ASCII serial protocols may also transmit leap seconds or be affected by the occurrence of leap seconds further upstream. We have prepared a short video to help understand the issue of leap second handling in high precision computing applications.

Watch the Video:

Products Related to Leap Seconds

Orolia time synchronization systems are fully compliant to best practices for leap second handling. The SecureSync system can even be used in a leap second test mode to easily test propagation through time synchronization deployments ahead of these scheduled events. For testing the capability of GPS/GNSS devices and systems to manage the leap second, any Orolia simulator can perform the most realistic test to identify any potential problem in advance of a leap second event.

Let us help you understand your risk for the leap second vulnerability.

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About David Sohn

David Sohn is a Solution Architect at Orolia, designing and developing solutions leveraging the organization’s precision timing solution portfolio, including their flagship SecureSync and VersaSync products, and contributing to its entire portfolio of resilient PNT solutions. He has more than 10 years of experience designing, developing, and managing precision timing solutions and holds a BS in computer engineering from The Pennsylvania State University.

Customization Nation with Sapling Digital Clocks

No matter the product, everyone has different tastes and styles they prefer. Because of this, people really enjoy the ability to customize the items they purchase to meet these preferences. Giving customers the option to personalize their product or service has benefited many different companies in many different industries.

Let’s take the shoe industry as an example. Nike has been wildly successful with the Nikeid option on their website. This option gives their patron the option to customize any type of shoe they want with any combination of colors. The car industry has also jumped on the customization bandwagon. Almost every major car company has an option on their website for their customers to customize the make, model, color, accessories and so much more.

The Sapling Company understands the importance of customization and as the manufacturer of synchronized time systems; Sapling has an array of options to satisfy the broadest of needs. We offer four different synchronized time system options, including: Wired, Wireless, Talkback, and IP. These systems include a master clock at the center of the network and multiple secondary clocks that display the accurate time. The master clock is updated with the accurate time from NTP of GPA, and then sends a signal to the secondary clocks. More specifically within a wireless clock system, the secondary clocks both receive and transmit the signal, until all of the clocks are properly updated.

Within the four systems is the option of what type of clock you would want: analog or digital. If you chose the round analog clocks, then you would get the option of the 12” or 16”clock. Sapling also offers a 9” or 12” square clock for more variety within the analog family. Both the round and square clocks have the additional options of customizable hands and dials!

If you chose the digital clocks, then you would be hit with the brand new color customization display options. While red is the standard color option, you will now have the choice between green, white, amber and blue.

Thanks to Sapling for the article.

The Benefits of Using 2-Wire Digital Master Clock System

If you are considering a wired clock system for your facility, the 2-wired Digital Master Clock System option with Sapling may be the best option for you. Take a look at the unique advantages of this system below. In addition to the written description, check out our video at the bottom to see a visual depiction of how the 2-Wire Digital Clock System works.

Power/Data on the Same Line

Most wired clock systems require three or four wires. With Sapling’s 2-Wire Digital Communication System, the converter box supplies the power and amplifies the data, so that power and data are integrated on the same line. Fewer wires mean a cleaner, less cumbersome and more efficient system.

Instant Correction

As with all of Sapling’s clock systems, our goal is to provide synchronized, accurate time to keep your education, healthcare or business facility operating at its best. The 2-Wire Digital Communication System provides time updates to all of the clocks as often as once per second. With such frequent corrections, your clocks are guaranteed to show the accurate time, all the time. Another auto correction feature is the 5 minute synchronization after a power outage. If power is lost, you won’t have to worry about resetting the clocks or waiting a few hours for them to be re-synchronized. Within five minutes of getting power back, the master clock will send a signal to reset all of the clocks to the accurate time. Even if a power outage causes some temporary chaos in other areas, clock malfunctions or time inaccuracies will not be issues to add to the mix. Sapling takes care of that part for you.

Effortless Installation

The installation of the 2-Wired System is simple and straightforward for a few reasons. First, the low voltage requirement means that you do not need a certified electrician to install the system in most countries. Having two wires going from the master clock to each individual clock instead of four also makes setup quicker and easier. Even if a mistake is made with the two wires, our cutting-edge reverse polarity detection technology will recognize the error and autocorrect it. What could be easier than that?

Hopefully, the only thing easier is making the decision to install Sapling’s 2-Wire Digital Master Clock System for its advanced technological capabilities, ease, accuracy and the superior quality and service that you can expect from Sapling.

Thanks to Sapling for the article.

Sapling’s Master Clock – Leader of the Pack – Part 2

In continuing with our post explaining how Sapling’s master clocks can receive time, the second option a user has to receive time is through a GPS Receiver.

Receiving time from a GPS satellite is not only extremely accurate, it is also very secure. With the GPS Receiver, the facility does not have to go outside the facility’s established firewall and use a time source via the Internet.

A GPS receiver is built-in to the master clock and sends out the master clock’s exact location to satellites around the world. From the satellite, the master clock receives the accurate UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), then corrects to the local time based on the user’s location.

The GPS Receiver option can be used in conjunction with the NTP Server option, which you can learn about here. A user has the ability to choose which option will be the main time source and which will be the backup time source. By utilizing both options, a user will have redundancy within their system, ensuring accuracy. Receiving time via GPS is optional with a Sapling’s master clock.

Stay tuned next week for the third way Sapling’s master clocks can receive time! If you are interested in learning more about our master clocks in the meantime, visit our website for more info or check out our YouTube video explaining our master clocks more in depth.

Thanks to Sapling for the article.