Solutions

MobaTime Solutions for different Industries

APPLICATIONS

MOBATIME offers solutions in the field of time display and time synchronization. Here you will find all the information you need to update your time system, including clocks, time servers and innovative technologies. Our solutions guarantee precise and reliable time display so you can concentrate on your work.

TECHNOLOGY

MOBATIME products support all kinds of technology: from conventionally wired impulse solutions to high-precision, complex network technology. All our devices can be adapted where necessary or developed from the ground up based on the purpose of use, technical requirements or customer wishes.

Technologies for Network Synchronisation

Synchronisation is based on five core technologies and protocols. You can read the most important key facts about them here, or you can contact us for more information. Our experts would be happy to answer any other questions you have.

NTP Time Servers -
time via Ethernet

Nowadays, the NTP protocol is available for distributing time via Ethernet. NTP provide an accurate and reliable time across local or global networks for various systems and applications.

Benefits

The NTP protocol provide a synchronization within 1 to 10 milliseconds. UTC is used as a unique time reference for distributed systems and is delivered across local or global networks. The NTP protocol is easy to deploy as no specific network requirements are needed.

Applications

Data Centers, Power network nodes, Power plants, Finance, Telecoms, Air Traffic Control, Railways, Hospitals, universities and public buildings. All sectors where an accurate and reliable time reference is required.

PTP precision time protocol -
time via Ethernet

Nowadays, different protocols are available for distributing time via Ethernet. PTP is used to provide an highly accurate and reliable time across local or global networks for various systems and applications. PTP is defined in IEEE 1588

Benefits

These Highly accurate protocol provide the most precise time and sync in submicroseconds. The TAI is used as a unique time reference for distributed systems and delivering this level of performance across local or global networks is a challenge and depending on requirements needs special network equipment.

Applications

Data Centers, Power network nodes, Power plants, Finance, Telecoms, Air Traffic Control, Railways. All sectors where a Highly accurate and reliable time reference is required.

SyncE Synchronous Ethernet –
frequency via Ethernet

The Synchronous Ethernet “SyncE” provide a frequency synchronization signal to Ethernet Equipment Slave clocks. ITU-T G.8262 defines Synchronous Ethernet clocks compatible with SDH clocks.

Benefits

The Synchronous Ethernet means that the Ethernet physical layer is synchronized by a stable frequency source and should be traceable to an external clock, ideally a master and unique clock “PRC” for the whole network. As SyncE is not carry clock synchronization information it is often used together with Precision Time Protocol PTP (IEEE 1588).

Applications

Applications include cellular networks, access technologies such as Telecom (packet based backbones) and applications such as IPTV or VoIP.

Time and Frequency synchronization

Different technical outputs for a highly accurate synchronization. PRC (Primary Reference Clocks) with E1/2.048 MHz (G811) signal for SDH network synchronization. Other frequency outputs such as: 10Mhz, PPS, serial ToD or IRIG-B for device synchronization.

Benefits

These Highly accurate Time/Servers/Grandmasters/PRCs provides also the most stable time and frequency outputs are phase locked to an ultra-stable oscillator e.g. atomic Rubidium oscillator.

Applications

Power network nodes, Power plants, Telecoms, Air Traffic Control, Railways. All sectors where a Highly accurate and reliable frequency and time reference is required.

TSN-Time Sensitive Networking –
time over TSN

TSN is a set of standards under development by the Time-Sensitive Networking task group of the IEEE 802.1 working group. TSN is an extensions to normal Ethernet.

Benefits

Not driven by one large company, unlike e.g. Profinet. Best effort and critical data over one network. Vertical integration from the cloud to the processing. High bandwidth, low latency, high availability and determinism are key requirements which are all addressed by TSN

Applications

TSN/OPC-UA will be the field communication of the future in automation, automotive, utilities.

Technologies for Clock Synchronisation

The slave clock systems are based on five core technologies. You can read the most important key facts about them here, or you can contact us for more information. Our experts would be happy to answer any other questions you have.

Conventionally wired

Electrical impulses are sent from the master clock to the slave clocks every minute. The slave clockworks are equipped with incremental motors that move the hand one minute forward with each impulse.

Benefits
A simple two-wire installation is sufficient. The topology can be freely selected. The clockworks and the simple installation are inexpensive. The conventional version was the standard technology for a long time (before microprocessor-controlled movements became available).

Applications
Still used to enhance older systems but no longer recommended for new installations.

Self-setting, wired

The master clock sends all the time and date information to the slave clocks, while our renowned MOBALine technology secures the power supply. The range also includes DCF active.

Benefits
The two-wire installation is simple and cost-effective, with a free topology. It is also easy to put the system into operation: simply connect the clock to MOBALine and it then automatically sets itself. The clocks do not have to be initialized manually (this is necessary when using conventional impulse technology with cables, and can result in significant added expense).

Applications
Standard installation for all clock systems.

NTP – time via Ethernet

Nowadays, NTP (Network Time Protocol) is the prevalent technology for distributing time via Ethernet/LAN. In this case, the master clock acts as the NTP time server and the slave clocks act as NTP clients.

Benefits
The technology is contemporary. The clocks automatically set themselves to the correct time and can also be monitored. A Windows PC serves as the operating terminal, which allows you to identify malfunctions remotely. Power can be supplied via Ethernet cable (PoE), any may have to be in some systems.

Applications
New installations. New installations are often integrated into extensive IT infrastructures.

Stand-alone clocks

Stand-alone clocks are synchronized by publicly available time references, such as DCF77 (European time signal transmitter), GPS (Global Positioning System), which is available worldwide, or MSF (time signal transmitter) in Great Britain. These clocks do not need a connection to a master clock.
Power is supplied either by the mains or – if possible – by a battery.

Benefits
A time distribution installation is not required. DCF77 is available at most locations within a range of more than 1500 km around Frankfurt, including indoors.

Applications
Stand-alone clocks with a mains or battery supply for advertising purposes, clocks in public buildings, town clocks on plazas, clocks for public transport, and so on.

Wireless

These clocks are synchronized through the on-site time code transmitter. Power is supplied via the mains or battery.

Benefits
A time distribution installation is not required and an unlimited number of clocks can be controlled by a single transmitter.

Applications
Suitable for clocks in buildings and spaces in which a cable installation is not possible or too expensive.
Also a good solution for stand-alone clocks (see above) that cannot receive DCF77 or GPS.

APPLICATION NOTES

A brilliant product can only realize its full potential when it is used in the right place. MOBATIME not only supplies a first-class product, but places it in the best possible locations. Each project represents a new and unique challenge. In this section, you can learn more about our applications, with selected projects to illustrate them. All the examples shown were developed and successfully produced by us.