Timing and Synchronization Products for Military 5G Applications
Explore advances in timing and synchronization products and how they are taking military 5G applications to the next level.
5G deployment is currently in its infancy but the promise of high speed, high bandwidth and low latency communications has already cemented its position as a one of the core components of future applications in consumer and industrial applications. Coupled with advances in articifial intelligence (AI) and increased processing power offered by next-generation processors and distributed systems, 5G will enable applications including autonomous vehicles, virtual and augmented reality, and smart cities.
The US Department of Defense is investing heavily in 5G capabilities. The sheer volume of information that can be shared, coupled with low latency, will enable near real-time decision making in situations that current military communications networks are unable to provide.
Battlefield sensors from a camera mounted on a soldier’s helmet to radars mounted on aircraft can be integrated into a combined intelligence stream that will provide commanders with tactical and strategical advantages. Augmented reality displays for a pilot in a cockpit or an infantry soldier in a bunker will provide situational awareness that previously was unobtainable. Virtually reality will enable improved performance of remotely operated vehicles for air, land and sea missions.
Military uses of 5G are not limited to the battlefield. Military installations will be able to improve efficiencies in warehouse operations and troop transportation and implement new applications like telemedicine.
Frequency control, timing and synchronization are critical elements of all 5G networks. To support the high-bandwidth and low-latency requirements, high-frequency oscillators with low phase noise and narrow band SAW filters are essential to ensure channel spacing.
IEEE® 1588 grandmasters are required to distribute and synchronize time across a network to nanosecond precision. Atomic clocks with submicrosecond accuracies over prolonged Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) outages are required for resiliency.
Military 5G applications add an extra layer of complexity to these functional blocks – as the devices must survive and operate in harsh environments. Soldier-mounted devices must be lightweight, and battery operated, and able to survive the rapid temperature extremes, shock and vibration of an air drop. Land, air and sea vehicle-mounted devices must operate and maintain synchronization in each of the unique vibration and temperature environments presented by these applications.
Microchip’s heritage in military timing devices dates back to 1938 – with a broad portfolio of frequency, timing and synchronization products includes SAW filters, crystal oscillators, GNSS-disciplined oscillators, embedded and system atomic clocks, network enterprise servers and Precision Time Protocol (PTP) grandmasters.
Check out our extensive portfolio of timing requirements for ruggedized 5G applications: