Josef Vojtech, Guy Roberts, Tomas Novak, Michal Spacek, Elisabeth Andriantsarazo, Vladimir Smotlacha, Ondrej Havlis, Tomas Horvath, Rudolf Vohnout, Martin Slapak, Jaroslav Roztocil, Susanne Naegele-Jackson, Domenico Vicinanza, Harald Schnatz, Jochen Kronjaeger, Jacques-Olivier Gaudron, Krzysztof Turza
GÉANT Association aims to establish a fibre infrastructure for the distribution of time and frequency throughout Europe, with the implementation planned within the Horizon Europe GN5-2 funding cycle. These new fibre links will complement existing connections performing predominantly coherent optical frequency transfers, forming a basis of comprehensive Europe-wide infrastructure. This presentation will explore how this emerging fibre network will facilitate novel scientific research initiatives in Europe.
Moreover, the development of a pan-European fibre infrastructure will unlock opportunities for pioneering research in applied and fundamental science. This encompasses studies such as geodesy e.g. for underground water monitoring or unification of height systems across Europe, earthquake monitoring, the search for dark matter, and urban activity surveillance.
Achieving optimal synchronization accuracy between two White Rabbit devices hinges on the proper selection of transceivers, which act as electro-optical converters connecting WR devices to the optical network infrastructure. The correct choice of transceivers can significantly improve resilience to changes in the time offset between WR devices due to temperature fluctuations in the connecting optical fiber. To compare the performance of BiDi WDM and DWDM transceivers, an experimental setup was established under laboratory conditions to simulate a real optical network used for distributing precise time and frequency between two remote locations. The optical connection was emulated by integrating a 20 km G.652.D optical fiber into a climatic chamber, which provided variable environmental conditions similar to those experienced in real applications. The study compared BiDi WDM 1310/1550 nm transceivers with DWDM Ch33/Ch34 transceivers. Results showed that DWDM transceivers exhibited nearly thirteen times less sensitivity to temperature-induced changes in the optical connection, leading to a smaller time offset. Therefore, for achieving the highest accuracy in synchronizing WR devices in practical applications, DWDM transceiver technology is essential.
Precise time and stable radio frequency dissemination is becoming standard application in optical networks. The White Rabbit system is commonly used for this purpose to support applications that require precise time and a stable frequency signal. Optical fibers are preferred for distributing the precise time and frequency signal in this system. To achieve best results, i.e. determine absolute offsets, it is necessary to know the asymmetry of the optical transmission path in which the system is deployed. We developed a device based on a MEMS optical switch that measures the delay of the optical path in both the forward and reverse directions. These measurements are used to continuously evaluate changes in the asymmetry of the transmission path, and the resulting asymmetry can be used to calibrate the time transfer system.
In the ever-advancing realm of modern technology, the demand for unparalleled precision and stability in timekeeping and frequency control has surged to unprecedented heights. As our interconnected world rellies more than ever on intricate synchronization and seamless communication, the development of cutting-edge optical infrastructure has emerged as a cornerstone in meeting these exacting demands. There has been obvious increased continuous focus on precise time and frequency transmission dissemination at a national and international level recently. We would like to present the situation in the Czech Republic, our strategy, approach, and our experience with a non-commercial, costeffective solution that utilizes optical networks shared with other traffic. The presented solution provides accurate time and stable frequency at a lower operational cost, using the shared spectrum of the CESNET3 network infrastructure.
There has been an increased focus on precise time and frequency transmission dissemination at a national and international level recently. We would like to present the situation in the Czech Republic, our strategy, approach, and our experience with a non-commercial, cost-effective solution that utilizes shared optical networks. The presented solution provides accurate time and stable frequency at a lower operational cost, utilizing the shared spectrum of the CESNET3 network infrastructure. We are committed to future developments and upgrades that will include the next wavelength bands and geographic extensions. Additionally, we have implemented bidirectional dark channels on various wavebands, which utilize shared leased fibers and offer bidirectional compensation for fiber losses. However, operating precise time and frequency requires a single path with bidirectional amplification performed by optical amplifiers, which are sensitive to feedback from the fiber line induced by back-scattering, and reflections, and which can cause unwanted oscillations. We have addressed this issue by carefully solving the interference with parallel data transmissions. In summary, we have implemented a cost-effective solution for precise time and frequency dissemination in the Czech Republic, which utilizes shared optical networks. We are committed to future developments, and we are also part of a consortium that plans to realize a Pan-European network to offer time and frequency services to a broad range of users.
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