5G communications networks rely on high-precision source clocks that lock to the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). If the GNSS timing reference is lost or impaired, calls will drop and data services will dramatically slow down or stop altogether. Highly dense 5G architectures often require a 10× increase in the number of nodes and GNSS traceable source clocks, but ideally, operators could avoid the expense and security exposure of installing GNSS receivers in every clock node.

The virtual Primary Reference Time Clock (vPRTC) timing architecture uses a secure fiber network to provide bi-directional east and west timing flows to local source clocks in aggregation sites with 100 ns of accuracy. The protected PTP southbound timing flow is then sent to the 5G Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). A key benefit of this architecture is that the GNSS receivers are only required in the core enhanced Primary Reference Timing Clock (ePRTC) sites where they can be protected and monitored to shield the network from the risk of GNSS jamming or spoofing threats.

Bi-directional timing flows from protected ePRTC sites provide a resilient timing architecture without the need for GNSS source clocks at every node.

To support secure 5G network communications, the vPRTC is a highly secure and resilient network-based timing architecture that blends our secure GNSS firewall technology, high-precision atomic system clocks and a portfolio of trusted time solutions to meet the expanding needs for 5G deployment.

The combination of GNSS visibility and the vPRTC architecture provides 5G operators with a dual-purpose solution for the use of Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) services as delivered by GNSS. It provides situational awareness about the health of GNSS reception by monitoring and evaluating key GNSS observables in real time to determine if there is risk in the use of PNT delivered by GNSS. It also offers a layer of protection that enables more responsible use of PNT services, including greater resiliency if live-sky delivery of PNT by GNSS is disrupted, degraded, or worse, becomes unavailable. Like a network firewall, this solution creates a dome of protection that strengthens the overall use of PNT services by GNSS for critical 5G communication infrastructures.