Time Synchronization for a 3-Site Interplanetary Scintillation (IPS) Experiment Using ATA Time Signal Transmission

Abstract

For investigating the solar plasma and the solar wind velocity in the interplanetary space, the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad has undertaken a 3-site interplanetary scintillation (IPS) experiment. In order to determine the solar-wind velocity, simultaneous observations are to be made from three IPS radio telescopes situated at Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Surat. For computation of the solar-wind velocity, the relative time between any two stations has to be known within a few milliseconds. ATA time signals transmitted on 5, 10 and 15 MHz will be used for this purpose. In the first phase, a system incorporating an oscilloscope for manual time synchronization was developed. In the second phase, a semi-automatic electronic system for time synchronization was developed. A fully automatic time synchronization system is being integrated and is expected to be ready soon. This will enable the three clocks at the three sites to run synchronously with the required accuracy and will provide uninterrupted system operation at least during the day time when ATA time signal transmission is available. This paper describes the details of the system for automatic time synchronization using ATA transmissions.