Time and Frequency Products for
Industrial & Test Measurement
Industrial automation, test laboratories, and metrology centers require precision timing for equipment calibration, production line synchronization, quality control, and research-grade measurements. National metrology institutes and calibration laboratories demand traceable time/frequency references with documented uncertainty budgets. Manufacturing facilities need synchronized PLCs, robots, and vision systems for coordinated automation workflows.
Research institutions operating particle accelerators, radio telescopes, and quantum computing laboratories depend on sub-nanosecond timing for experiment coordination and data correlation. The test and measurement industry requires accurate references for calibrating oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, counters, and signal generators.
System Requirements
An industrial timing system must provide:
• UTC-traceable frequency references (10MHz) for instrument calibration
• 1PPS signals with sub-nanosecond phase consistency for experiment synchronization
• Time code (IRIG-B/TOD) for data acquisition systems and event recorders
• High-resolution time interval measurement capability
• Portable timing solutions for field calibration and testing
• NTP for synchronizing data logging and analysis computers
• PCI/PCIe timing cards for direct computer synchronization
Recommended Products
GS5350 Time Interval Counter
The GS5350 is a high-resolution time interval and frequency counter designed for precision measurement applications. It measures time intervals, frequency, period, and phase with picosecond-level resolution, making it ideal for calibrating timing equipment and characterizing frequency sources.
GS5320 Stopwatch Calibrator
The GS5320 calibrates electronic stopwatches, timers, and time interval generators against a GPS-disciplined reference. It provides automated test sequences and comprehensive reporting for metrology laboratories.
GS5310 Portable Time Stamp Recorder
The GS5310 records and timestamps external events with microsecond resolution. It is ideal for logging equipment state changes, process events, and alarm triggers in industrial and test environments.
GS5654-1 Time Interval Counter Card
The GS5654-1 is a PCI-based time interval measurement card that provides high-resolution time tagging directly within a computer system. It is used for automated test systems and data acquisition applications requiring precise event timing.
GS6300 PCI Time Card
The GS6300 synchronizes computer systems to GPS time via the PCI bus, providing precise timestamping for data acquisition, event recording, and distributed measurement applications.
GS5220 Phase Microstepper
The GS5220 Phase Microstepper provides precise phase adjustment of timing signals with fine resolution. It enables phase alignment of multiple signal paths in phased-array test configurations and antenna measurement systems.
GS5390 NTP Server Tester
The GS5390 tests and verifies NTP server performance, measuring offset, jitter, and stratum level. It is essential for commissioning timing networks and periodic performance verification.
GS6601A 10MHz Distribution Amplifier
The GS6601A distributes reference 10MHz signals to multiple test instruments with excellent isolation and phase consistency. It is the backbone of any calibration lab or test bench requiring a common frequency reference.
System Architecture
The architecture consists of a reference generation layer, a measurement layer, and a distribution layer.
At the reference generation layer, a GS5500 or GS5620B generates the master 10MHz and 1PPS references disciplined to GNSS. This reference is distributed via GS6601A amplifiers to all instruments in the calibration lab or on the test bench.
At the measurement layer, GS5350 and GS5654-1 time interval counters perform precision measurements of timing signals under test. The GS5320 automates stopwatch calibration procedures. The GS5310 records event timestamps for analysis.
At the distribution layer, GS6601A amplifiers deliver the 10MHz reference to oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and counters. GS6605A distributors provide 1PPS to trigger systems and data acquisition units. GS6300 PCI cards synchronize data logging computers.
|
Equipment |
Function |
Key Specification |
|
GS5350 |
Time interval / frequency measurement |
Picosecond resolution |
|
GS5320 |
Stopwatch / timer calibration |
GPS-disciplined reference |
|
GS5310 |
Event timestamp recording |
Microsecond resolution |
|
GS5654-1 |
PCI time interval counter |
High-resolution PCI card |
|
GS6300 |
Computer time synchronization |
GPS via PCI bus |
|
GS5220 |
Phase adjustment |
Fine phase microstepping |
|
GS5390 |
NTP server testing |
Offset, jitter measurement |
|
GS6601A |
10MHz distribution |
12 isolated outputs |
Integration Recommendations
• Use phase-stable coaxial cable (semi-rigid or phase-matched) for all 10MHz distribution to maintain signal integrity
• Install distribution amplifiers centrally to minimize cable length differences between instruments
• Verify inter-channel phase consistency of GS6601A outputs during commissioning using a time interval counter
• Calibrate all measurement equipment (GS5350, GS5320) annually against a national standard traceable reference
• Use GS5220 phase microstepper to align multiple signal paths in phased-array and MIMO test configurations
• Deploy GS5390 NTP tester quarterly to verify timing network performance and detect degradation
Conclusion
This industrial timing architecture provides a complete solution for metrology calibration, automated testing, and research-grade measurement applications. The combination of precision time interval counters, automated calibrators, phase adjustment tools, and reference distribution equipment ensures accurate, traceable timing across all industrial and laboratory environments, from production lines to national metrology institutes.