Timescale dissemination using global navigation satellite systems and applications thereof

Abstract

A method and apparatus for dissemination of a timescale signal (T) from at least one server site to at least one client site is provided. The method comprises running, at each server site, a server Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS, process (()) configured to generate a server GNSS output raw data signal (R(T); R(T())) based at least on one or more first satellite signals; generating a precise orbits and clocks signal (C(T); C(T); T(Tppp−T); T(Tppp−T)) embedding said timescale signal (T) based on all server GNSS output signals (T(); T(T())) and broadcasting said precise orbits and clocks signal (C(T); C(T); T(Tppp−T); T(Tppp−T)) via a telecom network (); running, at each client site, a client Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS, process (()) configured to generate a client GNSS output raw data signal (R(T())) based on a client clock signal (T()) and based on one or more second satellite signals, running a client Precise Point Positioning, PPP, process (()) configured to receive said client GNSS output raw data signal (R(T())) and said precise orbits and clocks signal (C(T); C(T); T(Tppp−T); T(Tppp−T)) and to generate a difference signal (T()−T) between said client clock signal (T()) and timescale signal (T).