An in-house developed Timescale for NavIC PTF

Abstract

Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) or Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) is a regional navigation system, realized by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for providing independent position, navigation and timing (PNT) services over the Indian region and the surrounding areas. One of the major elements of ground segment of any navigation satellite system and also NavIC is the Precise Timing Facility. This paper presents the design and realization of an indigenously developed time scale, called the In-house Timescale or I-TS, for NavIC. The system engineering aspects including the requirements specification, design, realization and validation of the I-TS is brought out in this paper. The hardware and software design aspects of the precise time scale are elaborated. The ensemble and steering algorithms are discussed in depth. The traceability of I-TS time to UTC is discussed. Further, improvements and advantages of the in-house timescale system over the existing commercial timescale systems are discussed.