Atomic Time for a Networked World

We live in a networked world. The internet, social media, communications networks and the power grid are all examples of networks into which our lives and our economy are now deeply and inextricably embedded. And one critical thing the distributed elements in any network need is a shared source of time.

Consider the data centers that have become central to our work and lives. To deliver videos, chats, commerce and social media around the globe seamlessly, quickly and without errors or lags, servers, routers and switches in data centers must remain tightly synchronized over large distances.

That’s why data centers have become increasingly reliant on atomic clocks. Companies running large data centers often install their own atomic clocks, which serve as sources of time for downstream servers, routers and other devices. Other centers rely on GPS time, which is usually accurate and reliable but can be vulnerable to spoofing and jamming.

Atomic time serves several functions within networks. It is used to time-stamp packets sent over networks, so that data in the packets is properly ordered and can be correctly reassembled on the other end. Time stamps also create logs that can be used to accurately trace events or detect security breaches, bolstering network security. As in financial markets, accurate time stamping is crucial for creating audit trails required by regulators.

Data centers also use atomic clocks to measure the communication delays within networks and make necessary adjustments, creating the smooth, seamless experience we have come to expect when streaming video or gaming online. Accurate timekeeping enables network managers to measure the time it takes for data to travel between different points in the network, helping optimize routing.

Like stock markets, blockchain networks rely on precise time to ensure that blocks are added to the chain in the correct order, underpinning cryptocurrency transactions that are increasingly becoming a pillar of modern finance.

Telecom companies need accurate time to hand off cellphone users from one cell tower to another as they are traveling, making possible uninterrupted phone and video calls. Power companies use atomic time to synchronize frequencies on the power grid and to create time stamps that can help reconstruct the order of events that caused a power outage. Similar to finance and internet companies, telecom and electric companies get atomic time from their own clocks installed in central hubs, as well as from the internet and GPS.

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