As the demand for reliable, secure, and scalable network infrastructure continues to grow, private LTE has emerged as a transformative technology for utilities and critical infrastructure industries. At Syncworks, we see private LTE as a key driver for modernizing grid communications, supporting distribution automation, and enhancing operational efficiency. With advancements in private LTE, utilities can take control of their networks, ensuring resilience, security, and compliance with evolving regulatory standards.

What is Private LTE, and Why Does It Matter?

Private LTE refers to a dedicated cellular network built specifically for a company’s needs, offering utilities a level of control and customization that public networks simply can’t provide. By moving away from reliance on traditional mobile network providers, utilities can deploy private LTE networks that cater specifically to their operational requirements, delivering:

• Greater Security: A private LTE network isolates sensitive utility data from the public domain, ensuring robust cybersecurity measures tailored to utility-specific needs.
• Enhanced Reliability: With control over their own networks, utilities can prioritize traffic, ensuring critical functions like distribution automation and smart grid management are never disrupted.
• Cost Efficiency: Over time, utilities can realize cost savings by minimizing dependency on third-party network providers and optimizing their network usage.
• Scalability and Flexibility: Private LTE networks are designed to scale with the growing number of connected devices, such as smart meters, sensors, and other IoT devices, providing a future-proof solution.

Syncworks: Powering Private LTE with Precise Timing Solutions

For private LTE to operate at its peak, precise synchronization and timing are critical. That’s where Syncworks comes in. Our industry-leading sync and timing solutions ensure that private LTE networks function seamlessly, allowing utilities to maximize performance and reliability. Whether it’s distributing precise time signals across the network or maintaining synchronization in mission-critical operations, Syncworks provides the backbone that keeps private LTE networks running smoothly.

Our products and services offer:

• Sub-microsecond synchronization: Essential for maintaining the efficiency and security of communications in LTE networks.
• Legacy product support: We help utilities bridge the gap between older systems and new LTE deployments with timing solutions that ensure compatibility and smooth transitions.
• Field services: Syncworks’ expert team assists with deployment and maintenance to guarantee your private LTE network stays synchronized and operational.

Use Cases for Private LTE in Utilities

Private LTE is quickly becoming a game-changer for utilities as they modernize their infrastructure. Here are some of the key use cases where private LTE is transforming utility operations:

• Distribution Automation: With thousands of LTE devices being deployed for distribution automation, utilities require a network that can handle vast amounts of traffic securely and efficiently. Private LTE networks provide the control needed to route data intelligently, ensuring that mission-critical tasks like voltage regulation and fault detection are prioritized.

• Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI 2.0): Private LTE supports the evolution of AMI into a multi-sensor platform that delivers real-time data on energy consumption, grid conditions, and even environmental monitoring. This data helps utilities make informed decisions that improve grid reliability and customer service.

• Grid Edge Computing: As utilities push decision-making to the edge, private LTE networks allow devices in the field to communicate quickly and securely, reducing latency and enabling faster, more efficient operations.

• Cybersecurity: Protecting critical infrastructure is more important than ever. Private LTE networks allow utilities to implement stringent security protocols, isolating their networks from public threats and vulnerabilities.

The Future of Private LTE in Utilities

The future of utility communications is clear: private LTE will play a critical role in modernizing infrastructure and enhancing the resilience of utility networks. As regulatory requirements evolve and demand for greater efficiency and security increases, more utilities are turning to private LTE as the backbone of their communication networks.

At Syncworks, we are ready to help utilities navigate this shift by providing timing solutions that are built for the future. Our expertise in sync and timing positions us as a trusted partner in deploying and maintaining private LTE networks that deliver unparalleled performance.

Syncworks and Private LTE—A Partnership for the Future

As utilities continue to adopt private LTE for their communication needs, Syncworks is committed to supporting this transformation with industry-leading sync and timing solutions. Whether you are just beginning your journey into private LTE or looking to optimize an existing network, Syncworks has the tools, expertise, and services to ensure your network operates at its best.

Are you ready to embrace the future of utility networks? Contact Syncworks today to learn how we can help you deploy a private LTE network that delivers the performance and reliability your utility requires.

Why Buy From Syncworks?

In addition to cutting-edge Microchip technology like the TimeProvider® 4100 and 4500, Syncworks is proud to offer comprehensive support for utilities adopting private LTE. Our team provides 24/7 support, testing, and provisioning of all new LTE equipment, ensuring seamless integration into your private network. Whether you’re transitioning to AMI 2.0, deploying device routing solutions, or leveraging edge computing, our turnkey installation process includes verification and training of your staff to ensure that your infrastructure is fully optimized and your team is confident in its operation.

As a partner in advancing utility telecom infrastructure, Syncworks’ support extends to UBBA-centric outreach and initiatives, helping you navigate the complexities of private LTE and beyond. From planning to deployment, our expert team ensures that your private LTE network is reliable, secure, and future-ready, backed by comprehensive service every step of the way.

UTC Traceable Time For All

Precise timing is essential to national security, especially in the face of growing cybersecurity threats.  As Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) becomes more vulnerable to cyberattacks, having an alternative time system is no longer just a scientific requirement but a matter of national security. For countries without their own GNSS systems, owning and operating time scale systems aligned with Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) within their borders has become a crucial element of cybersecurity strategy. Syncworks’ unique ability to provide turnkey installation for timing systems includes a complete solution that safeguards critical infrastructure from disruptions to GNSS.

UTC, the global standard for time, underpins the synchronized transmission of frequency and timing signals. It is based on International Atomic Time (TAI), an average of over 300 atomic clocks from metrology labs around the world. Syncworks supports this global timekeeping network with our expertise and installation of systems like the 5071A Cesium Frequency Standard, the most widely used clock in TAI-contributing labs.

Though UTC is based on TAI, it adjusts periodically to account for Earth’s rotational variations, ensuring synchronization with astronomical events. This makes UTC the universal standard for timekeeping, used in both general and specialized applications.

The Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) is responsible for managing UTC, working alongside global laboratories to ensure synchronization. Each lab maintains a local realization of UTC known as UTC(k), with “k” representing the lab or country. BIPM regularly publishes data comparing UTC with UTC(k), enabling labs to adjust their time scales to ensure that they remain synchronized to within just a few nanoseconds of each other.

National Time Scale: Shielding Critical Infrastructure from Timing Vulnerabilities

Syncworks’ turnkey installation services extend to providing Precise Time Scale Systems (PTSS), allowing countries to independently control their time sources. For nations without the resources to maintain their own GNSS constellations, deploying PTSS on their own soil is a powerful defense against GNSS-related timing disruptions. Our systems deliver industry-leading frequency stability, phase noise reduction, and operational reliability, making them the ideal choice for protecting critical infrastructure.

National Metrology Laboratories and UTC(k) Realization

National metrology laboratories play a key role in maintaining a country’s timekeeping standards, with many contributing to UTC through BIPM. Syncworks supports these efforts by installing advanced time scale systems that meet the rigorous demands of national labs. A country’s local time scale, known as UTC(k), is constantly compared to UTC using data published by BIPM. This ensures that UTC(k) stays closely synchronized with UTC, thanks to the precision of atomic clocks like those used in Syncworks’ turnkey solutions.

About Us Syncworks

Syncworks is a value-added stocking reseller of network sync and timing equipment for critical infrastructure companies. SyncCare and Field Services ensure your network equipment is flawlessly executed and supported. Our DC Power services ensure that the power is always on.

As a Microchip Diamond Partner, we maintain the largest and most diversified stocking supply of Microchip network sync & timing products to meet our customers’ every need when it comes to sync and timing technology.

5G wireless communication networks require very tight time synchronization at every node to maximize spectrum usage efficiency and capacity throughput. All Remote Radio Heads (RRH) must be time synchronized to +/- 1.5 us in their base mode of operation. If your RRH timing drifts outside of this range, it will shut down to avoid interfering with adjacent cells.

Prior generation wireless networks relied heavily on a secure Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to provide a traceable time reference for all the source clocks in the Radio Access Network (RAN). Well-engineered GNSS-based clocks can easily provide +/- 100 ns Primary Reference Time Clock (PRTC) timing accuracy. Table 1 shows the timing accuracy for common source clocks as defined by the ITU for use in communications networks.

Table 1. Primary Reference Time Clock (PRTC) types available for 5G.

4G wireless networks have been built out with high-capacity GNSS traceable (PRTC-A) PTP grandmaster clocks located in core RAN sites. Can the 4G core RAN clocks cover all 5G timing needs?

5G Challenge with GNSS

5G operators face two major challenges with deployment of GNSS-based source clocks.

First, 5G networks are very dense, often requiring ten times as many source clocks compared to prior generation networks. That means ten times as many GNSS antennas to install and maintain. GNSS antennas are already installed in core/RAN sites, but not out in 5G aggregations sites. GNSS antennas are a headache you would rather avoid!

And second, GNSS is vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks such as jamming and spoofing. Your 5G radios have a minimum holdover time and will quickly begin interfering with other radios in the same spectrum if GNSS is compromised due to failures or other vulnerabilities such as jamming.

Are GNSS Cybersecurity Threats Real?

In a word – yes. And, government agencies are finally stepping forward to do something about it. If you don’t believe GNSS threats are real, spend a few minutes searching them out on the internet. Frankly, it has become common place and is now classified as a matter of public safety. The below table shows some of the recent government actions to address this cybersecurity threat.

Table 2. Government initiatives to address GNSS cybersecurity.

What do I need to do to adhere to the new DHS Resilient PNT Framework?

Level 1 means your 5G network will go offline during a GNSS threat, but it will self-recover when GNSS service resumes. Not a great experience for your customers. Levels 2 and 3 outline incremental levels of protection, but the DHS call to action is to engineer critical infrastructures for Level 4 security. Level 4 protection means your 5G system will be able to detect and mitigate the GNSS threat and continue to operate without any degradation of services.

How Can Microchip Help Achieve DHS Level 4 Protection?

Microchip’s innovative new timing architecture – the virtual Primary Reference Time Clock (vPRTC) – uses protected core ePRTC timing sites as redundant area timing hubs for your network. Our TimeProvider® 4100 ePRTC connects with your core cesium atomic clocks to combine the internal GNSS reference with the atomic clock to provide an autonomous timing reference for your 5G network.

The ePRTC achieves 30 ns accuracy when locked to GNSS and can maintain 100 ns accuracy for a minimum of 14 days if GNSS is lost. This architecture helps to deliver a new resiliency – which in turn helps network operators provide uninterrupted services to their clients.

Bi-directional protected timing flows deliver required 5G timing accuracy without the need for GNSS at 5G aggregation sites.

The above diagram shows how redundant core ePRTC sites can be deployed for a 5G network. Bidirectional protected Precision Time Protocol (PTP) timing flows from the “west” and “east” core ePRTC sites to all 5G aggregation sites. Most communications networks use ring or mesh architectures with bi-directional traffic flows for high availability even if fiber cuts occur that may disrupt traffic flows in one direction. Ring and mesh architectures can also be configured for bi-directional redundant timing flows. Operators and optical equipment suppliers have presented technical papers on similar timing architectures at the International Timing and Synchronization Forum (ITSF) conference in November 2021 ^{2, 3, 4} demonstrating field results supporting timing accuracy and resiliency.

Microchip’s TimeProvider 4100 clocks at 5G aggregation sites are configured in High Performance Boundary Clock (HPBC) mode to receive timing from the core “east” and “west” sites with an error budget of less than 5 ns. If timing flow from the west is lost, the clock will instantly switch to the protected east flow to maintain required timing accuracy for the network without the need for a GNSS receiver at the aggregation sites.

The southbound PTP flow out to the RRHs is protected by the bi-directional timing flows from the core east and west ePRTC sites. Your core timing sites can also be protected with the BlueSky™ GNSS Firewall technology to monitor GNSS observables, detect potential jamming or spoofing threats and shield them from impacting core ePRTC sites.

Author Barry Dropping

References:

1. Department of Homeland Security; Resilient Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Conformance Framework Version 1.0. December 2020.
2. Helmut Imlau, Deutsche Telekom, “Resilience for Timing & Synchronization Networks,” International Timing and Synchronization Forum, November 2021.
3. Helmut Fabian, A1 Telekom, “Implementation of Reliable Synchronization for 5G,” International Timing & Synchronization Forum, November 2021.
4. Jon Baldry, Infinera, “Key Enablers for Migration to Timing Cloud Synchronization Distribution in Optical Transport Networks,” International Timing & Synchronization Forum, November 2021.)

Why Buy From Syncworks?

In addition to the cutting-edge technology of the Microchip Frequency, Timing & Synchronization eqiupment, our Syncworks team offers a comprehensive support package to ensure you are always in sync. We provide 24/7 support, testing, and provisioning of all new equipment, ensuring seamless integration into your network. Our turnkey installation process includes verification and training of your staff to ensure that your infrastructure is fully optimized and your team is confident in its operation. This level of service guarantees that your investment  is backed by expert support every step of the way.

What is a timestamp?

A timestamp is a piece of information that denotes the date and time when a particular event occurred or when data was recorded. It typically includes details such as the year, month, day, hour, minute, and second. Timestamps are commonly used in computer systems, databases, and various applications to keep track of when events happen, enabling chronological organization and analysis of data. They are especially important for logging and tracking changes, allowing users to understand the sequence of events and when they occurred. Timestamps are often represented in a standardized format for ease of interpretation and comparison.

What are timestamps used for?

Timestamps are used for recording events such as financial trading transactions, credit card transactions, legal transactions, business transactions, equipment alarm status changes and many others. Timestamps are also used and exchanged in time transfer technologies.

Where do timestamps come from?

The timestamp source is the GNSS timing extraction using GNSS timing receiver technology. Timestamps are distributed to devices that consume timestamps using timing distribution protocols such as Network Time Protocol (NTP) and Precision Time Protocol (PTP).

How accurate do timestamps need to be?

Timestamp accuracy requirements range from 100s of milliseconds to nanoseconds, depending on the application for which the timestamps are used.

How many timestamps are logged in the world each day?

Billions of timestamps are generated and consumed every day and the availability and accuracy of these timestamps is, for the most part, taken for granted. This is why timestamp delivery is an engineered service that requires some level of thought and planning.

About Syncworks

Syncworks is a value-added reseller of network sync and timing equipment for critical infrastructure companies. SyncCare and Field Services ensure your network equipment is flawlessly executed and supported. Our warehouse is stocked with new Microchip products, as well as Symmetricom, Datum, Telecom Solutions, and Microsemi brands.

Syncworks delivers the highest level of expertise to every project and offers a complete menu of network synchronization products and services. Our flagship product, the TimeProvider® 4100, is a gateway clock that accepts multiple inputs from Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), Synchronous Ethernet (SynE), and 1588 PTP Grandmaster Clock and E1/T1 digital transmission links.

As a Microchip Diamond Partner, we maintain the largest and most diversified stocking supply of Microchip network sync & timing products to meet our customers’ every need when it comes to sync and timing technology.

For more information, contact help@syncworks.com or call (904) 280-1234