Considering Time-Scale Requirements for the Future

Abstract

Requirements for time scales can be specified for a variety of desirable features. Among these considerations are precision, accuracy, stability, accessibility, reproducibility, relation to the spatial reference frame in which they are defined, and utility as an independent variable in equations of motion. Some might be described numerically while others might be more difficult to specify quantitatively. However, user requirements for each of these categories depend on the intended application as well as the level of technology available to the user. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) as defined currently has served as the standardized basis for civil timekeeping throughout the world since 1972. The continued acceptance of that definition or any alternative will depend on the requirements of the users of the future. Each of the requirement categories is explored with regard to the potential users and potential time scales for the future.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA598987

Entities

People

  • Dennis D. Mccarthy

Organizations

  • United States Naval Observatory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Air Traffic
  • Clocks
  • Computer Networks
  • Consistency
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Ephemerides
  • Equations
  • Frequency
  • Grids
  • Measurement
  • Navigation
  • Observation
  • Observatories
  • Precision
  • Radio Frequency
  • Standards

Readers

  • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Technology.
  • Systems Analysis and Design