ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ is home to a new innovation timing node, working in partnership with the (NPL).
NPL is the UK’s National Metrology Institute developing and maintaining primary measurement standards, including precise timekeeping. The innovation node forms a crucial part of their National Timing Centre programme, which aims to develop the first nationally distributed time infrastructure, paving the way for new technologies such as 6G applications, smart cities and connected autonomous vehicles.
The node at Cranfield focuses on developing and refining ways to wirelessly send information to end users who are both static and on the move.
Secure timing infrastructure for new transport systems
Cranfield has already been using the timing node’s capabilities, working with iQuila and Quantum Dice, and in March completed a demonstration that paves the way for large, complex multiple systems operations that could, in future, facilitate fleets of autonomous vehicles, either air- or ground-based.
Currently many services rely on the global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) for timing information. But that information is open, meaning that while it can be accessed by everyone it can also be vulnerable to jamming or interference.
For the continued development and secure use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), access to high quality and accurate time data is key, as is inter-machine synchronisation, ensuring that all air and ground systems are receiving the same time data.
Professor Antonios Tsourdos, Head of the Autonomous and Cyber-Physical Systems Centre, said: “Creating a secure, accurate time infrastructure across the UK will be fundamental to the future of transportation. This innovation node gives us the ability to understand the challenges that will be presented and test ways to securely distribute position, navigation and timing data to multiple end users that will have far reaching, practical applications as autonomous vehicles become more widespread.”
Cranfield is one of three institutions in the UK (along with the University of Strathclyde and the University of Surrey) hosting a timing node, with the host organisations focussed on the application of timing to the transport, telecommunications, fintech and quantum sectors.
