NBS Measurement Services:

Research Information Center

National Bureau ot Standards

Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899

MAR 1 0 1988

GOES Satellite Time Code Dissemination:

Description and Operation

NBS

Special

Publication

250-30

Roger E. Beehler

Dick Davis

John B. Milton

U.S. Department of Commerce

National Bureau of Standards
Center for Basic Standards

The Center for Basic Standards develops and maintains the scientific competences and laboratory facilities nec- essary to preserve and continue to refine the base physical quantities upon which the Nation's measurement

system is constructed. The Center is responsible for the standards of voltage, current, resistance and

impedance, temperature, vacuum, leak rate, pressure, mass, length, time and frequency. The Center collaborates closely with the standardizing laboratories of other countries to ensure that measures used in international

trade are fully compatible. The Center also performs research at the frontiers of physics in order to improve

measurement capability and quantitative understanding of basic physical processes that underlie measurement

science.

Electricity Division

Maintains and improves the national standards of electrical measurement; conducts experiments to realize the

electrical units in terms of the mechanical units; develops stable electrical standards and improved methods for the dissemination of the units of electrical measurement; determines fundamental physical constants related to

electrical units; develops instrumentation for precise electrical measurements directly referenced to the national

standards; implements techniques for their use and puts them into practical applications; assists in applying scientific and technological development to measurement problems, especially in other areas of NBS research.

Temperature and Pressure Division

Maintains and improves the national standards of temperature and pressure; conducts research towards the development of new concepts for these standards; calibrates practical standards for the U.S. scientific and technical community in terms of the primary standards; develops methods and devices to assist user groups in the

assessment and enhancement of the accuracy of their measurements of temperature and pressure; prepares

and promulgates evaluations and descriptions of temperature and pressure measurement processes; coordi- nates these standards and measurement methods nationally and internationally; and determines the accuracy of the national standards of temperature and pressure with respect to fundamental thermodynamic relations. Length and Mass Division

Develops and uses the competence necessary to implement a more accurate measurement system for length

and mass; applies research, utilizing the most advanced technology available, to the improvement of our present

standards and devises new standards and new methods for their transfer. Time and Frequency Division

Maintains, develops and improves the national standards for the unit of time, the unit of frequency, and time

scales based on these standards; carries out research in areas of importance to the further fundamental improvement of frequency standards and their applications focusing on microwave and laser devices, atomic and

molecular resonances, and the measurement of fundamental physical phenomena and constants; adapts time

and frequency standard devices and concepts to special scientific and technological demands; develops time

and frequency measurement methods in the radiofrequency, microwave, infrared, and visible radiation regions;

coordinates the NBS time scales with international time scales and the time scales maintained by the United

States Naval Observatory; collaborates with national and international organizations in the development of improved methods for the measurement of time related quantities; operates time and frequency dissemination services, such as radio stations and broadcasts, for the purpose of traceability to the national standards of time and

frequency.

Quantum Physics Division

Engages in research in atomic and molecular physics at the forefront of the field, and performs basic, highly accurate measurements and theoretical analyses that help establish a reliable foundation for scientific and technological measurement and data.

Quantum Metrology Division

Engages in forefront research in quantum metrology; contributes to new determinations of the fundamental

physical constants, and the extension and refinement of the electromagnetic scale and devises, where possible,

tests of basic symmetries and invariances.
NBS MEASUREMENT SERVICES:

GOES Satellite Time Code Dissemination

Description and Operation

Roger E. Beehler, Dick Davis, and John B. Milton

Time and Frequency Division

Center for Basic Standards

National Measurement Laboratory

National Bureau of Standards

Boulder CO 80303

January 1988

o

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, C. William Verity, Secretary

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Ernest Ambler, Director
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 87-619906

National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 250-30

Natl. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Spec. Publ. 250-30, 49 pages (Jan. 1988)

CODEN: XNBSAV

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON: 1988

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325
PREFACE

Calibrations and related measurement services of the National

Bureau of Standards provide the means for makers and users of

measuring tools to achieve levels of measurement accuracy that

are necessary to attain quality, productivity and competitiveness. These requirements include the highest levels of accuracy

that are possible on the basis of the most modern advances in

science and technology as well as the levels of accuracy that are

necessary in the routine production of goods and services. More

than 300 different calibrations, measurement assurance services

and special tests are available from NBS to support the

activities of public and private organizations. These services

enable users to link their measurements to the reference

standards maintained by NBS and, thereby, to the measurement

systems of other countries throughout the world. NBS Special

Publication 250, NBS Calibration Services Users Guide, describes

the calibrations and related services that are offered, provides

essential information for placing orders for these services and

identifies expert persons to be contacted for technical

assistance

.

NBS Special Publication 250 has recently been expanded by the

addition of supplementary publications that provide detailed

technical descriptions of specific NBS calibration services and,

together with the NBS Calibration Services Users Guide, they

constitute a topical series. Each technical supplement on a particular calibration service includes:

o specifications for the service

o design philosophy and theory

o description of the NBS measurement system

o NBS operational procedures

o measurement uncertainty assessment

error budget

systematic error

random errors

o NBS internal quality control procedures
The new publications will present more technical detail than the

information that can be included in NBS Reports of Calibration.

In general they will also provide more detail than past

publications in the scientific and technical literature; such

publications, when they exist, tend to focus upon a particular

element of the topic and related elements may have been published

in different places at different times. The new series will

integrate the description of NBS calibration technologies in a

form that is more readily accessible and more useful to the

technical user.

The present publication, SP 250-30, NBS Measurement Services:

GOES Satellite Time Code Dissemination: Description and

Operation, by Beehler, Davis, and Milton, is one of approximately

20 documents in the new series published or in preparation by the

Center for Basic Standards. It describes calibration technology

and procedures utilized in connection with NBS Service

Identification Numbers from 53110 to 53150 listed in the NBS

Calibration Services Users Guide. Inguiries concerning the

contents of these documents may be directed to the author or to

one of the technical contact persons identified in the Users

Guide (SP-250).

Suggestions for improving the effectiveness and usefulness of the

new series would be very much appreciated at NBS. Likewise,

suggestions concerning the need for new calibration services,

special tests and measurement assurance programs are always

welcome

.

Joe Simmons, Acting Chief

Office of Physical Measurement Services

Helmut Hellwig, Acting Director

Center for Basic Standards

iv
GOES SATELLITE TIME CODE DISSEMINATION:

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

This document describes the GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental

Satellite) satellite time code dissemination system operated by NBS to provide

time and frequency users with an NBS traceable reference signal for

calibration and general timekeeping applications. The discussion includes the

various subsystems to generate, monitor, and verify the timing signals located

at NBS/Boulder, NOAA/Wallops Island, VA, NBS/Ft. Collins, CO, and several

other dispersed sites. Some of the main operational procedures used in

providing a close approximation to UTC(NBS) at any user's location in the

Western hemisphere are described, along with an analysis of the uncertainties

associated with the GOES time code generation, transmission through the

satellite path, and reception at the user's site. Techniques and facilities

used to maintain internal quality control are also described.

Key words: calibration; frequency; GOES satellites; satellite; standards;

time; time code; time dissemination

V
CONTENTS

Page

1. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE 1.1

A. Introduction 1.1

B. GOES Time Code System 1.1

C. Recent Improvements to the GOES System 1.4

2. DESIGN PHILOSOPHY 2.1

A. Intended Audience of User and Performance Levels 2.1

B. Link to the NBS Primary Standards and Time Scales 2.2

C. Reliability and Performance Verification Aspects 2.2

D. Support for Time Code Users 2.3

3. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM 3.1

A. Introduction 3.1

B. Wallops Island, VA 3.1

C. Space Segment 3.4

D. NOAA Ground Facilities 3.4

E. NBS/Boulder 3.5

F. Ft. Collins, CO, Backup Facility 3.7

G. Auxiliary Monitoring Sites in Washington, DC, and

Kauai, HI 3.8

4. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES 4.1

1. Procedures for Updating the Satellite Position Data 4.1

1.1 Generation of Updated Satellite Position Data -- 4.1

1.2 Transfer of Satellite Position Data to Wallops

Island 4.2

2. Procedures for Verifying Wallops Island System Time

and Frequency Performance and Making Related Adjustments 4.3

2.1 Checking Performance of the Wallops Island

Clock System 4.3

2.2 Checking and Resetting Wallops Island System

Date and Time 4.3

2.3 Verifying and Resetting the Wallops Island

Clock Rate Words 4.3

3. Procedures for Updating and Verifying Other

Information in the Wallops Island System 4.4

4. Monitoring Operations at NBS/Boulder 4.5

4.1 Verification of Current Time Code Performance -- 4.5

4.2 Archiving and Retrieving Past Time Code

Performance Data 4.6

4.3 Initialization of the Data Logger Systems 4.6

vi
5. Monitoring Operations at Other Sites 4.6

5.1 U. S. Naval Observatory (USNO) , Washington, DC - 4.6

5.2 NBS/Ft. Collins, CO, Site 4.7

5.3 NBS/Kauai, HI, Site 4.7

6. User Notification Procedures 4.8

6.1 NBS Time and Frequency Bulletin 4.8

6.2 GOES Status Reports in the USNO Automated

Data Service System 4.8

5. ASSESSMENT OF UNCERTAINTIES 5.1

A. Introduction 5.1

B. Quoted Uncertainties 5.1

C. Discussion of Error Sources 5.2

1) Wallops Island Reference Errors 5.2

2) Equipment Delays at Wallops Island 5.2

3) Free-Space Propagation Delay 5.2

4) Transponder Delays 5.5

5) Ionospheric/Tropospheric Effects 5.5

6) Receiver Delays 5.5

7) Measurement Uncertainties 5.6

D. Summary of Performance -Monitoring Data 5.6

6. INTERNAL QUALITY CONTROL 6.1

A. Monitoring at Wallops Island for Internal Quality

Control 6.1

B. Monitoring of Received GOES Signals Versus UTC(NBS) 6.2

C. Experience With the Internal Quality Control

Mechanisms 6.3

7. FUTURE PROJECTIONS 7.1

A. Projections for the GOES Satellite System 7.1

B. Status of Formal NBS/NOAA Agreements 7.1

C. NOAA Satellite Tracking Operations 7.1

D. Potential for Improvements to the Time Code

Performance 7.2

REFERENCES R.l

vii

GOES SATELLITE TIME CODE DISSEMINATION:

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

1. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE

A. Introduction

In 1974 the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) began regular dissemination of an NBS-referenced time code via two geostationary GOES satellites

(Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites) operated by NOAA

(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) . The primary mission of the

GOES satellites and associated support systems is to gather a variety of

environmental data from various sources, including large numbers of remotely

located sensing platforms throughout the Western hemisphere, relay the

information via the satellites to a central processing facility, and make the

processed information available to the World Meteorological Organization and

other interested users. The NBS time code is interleaved into the data

collection platform interrogation channel, providing a continuously available

accurate time-of-day reference both for internal NOAA data handling operations

and for more general time and frequency applications throughout much of the

Western hemisphere. Commercial time code receivers are readily available for

a few thousand dollars that can provide received timing accuracies of better

than 100 microseconds over averaging periods of hours, months, or years.

The cooperative NBS/NOAA program to provide and disseminate the NBS time code

via the operational GOES satellites was formalized for a five-year period in

May 1977 by an NBS/NOAA Memorandum-of -Agreement , which was extended by both

organizations in May 1982 for an additional five-year period and again in

August 1987 for an additional ten-year period. Since 1974, significant

improvements have been made in the NBS time code generation and control

equipment at the GOES Satellite Control Facility at Wallops Island, VA; the

time code control and monitoring procedures used by NBS to assure overall

system accuracy and reliability; and in the newer generations of the GOES

satellites themselves.

B. GOES Time Code System

The GOES time code system consists of an NBS-owned time code generation,

monitoring, and control system at NOAA's Wallops Island site; the satellite

uplink facilities located at 75°W and 135°W longitude, respectively;

monitoring, computing, and data storage facilities at NBS/Boulder and at NBS

facilities in Ft. Collins, CO; two-way dial-up data communication links

between Boulder/Ft. Collins and Wallops Island; and support operations such as NOAA's satellite tracking operations and additional monitoring facilities in

Washington, DC and Hawaii. The triply redundant time-code-generation system

is based on a set of cesium atomic standards. The time code used is specially

designed for compatibility with the GOES Data Collection System and has been

described in previous publications [1]. The code as transmitted via the two

GOES satellites includes complete time-of-year information; the current year;

DUT1 values -- i.e., estimates of the current difference between the UTl

astronomical time scale and UTC atomic time scale; satellite position

- 1.1 -
information for computing path delays; current accuracy indicators for both

the East and West time codes; an invalid-position-data indicator; a daylightsaving- time indicator; a leap-second notification; and system status

information. The NBS equipment at Wallops Island also includes capabilities

for measuring and storing various time difference data, fault detection and

alarm circuitry, provisions for monitoring Loran-C and GPS satellite

transmissions as independent timing references, memory for storing 10 days

worth of position prediction data for each of the two operational satellites,

and modems for use with the Boulder -Wallops Island data link.

The time code is continuously transmitted from this system to the East and

West GOES satellites at S-band and is then downlinked on two slightly

different frequencies near 468 MHz in one of the meteorological satellite

allocated bands. This constraint to use meteorological satellite frequency

allocations for the GOES/East and GOES/West downlinks may result in

interference in receiving the time code transmissions in some urban areas,

since these allocations are shared with the very large and very active landmobile service. Furthermore, the land-mobile use is designated as the

"primary" one within the U.S. while the meteorological satellite use is

"secondary." In practical terms this means that if interference to the time

code is experienced from land-mobile transmissions, it must be tolerated.

Fortunately, time code receivers can be designed to effectively ignore much of

this type of interference when necessary. In general, the time code as received from GOES/East is less affected by interference than that from

GOES/West because one of the land-mobile channels exactly coincides with the

GOES/West frequency while the closest one to the GOES/East frequency is

somewhat offset.

The satellite position information included in the time code format is

generated from sophisticated orbit-prediction programs run on large computers

at NBS/Boulder or at NOAA in the Washington, DC, area. Data inputs for this

program include the satellite orbital elements which are determined from

satellite tracking data obtained by NOAA and/or NASA. The computer program

generates position predictions for each satellite for each hour during the

next ten-day period and these are further processed by the microprocessorbased time code generation equipment at Wallops Island to generate updated

values each minute that are then encoded along with the time information.

Users then have the option to simply decode the received time information

achieving accuracies of about 1 millisecond or to also use the position data

to compute a path delay from Wallops Island to the user's location. The

position data are updated each minute to compensate for movements of the

satellites. In the latter case, timing accuracies of better than 100

microseconds can be achieved. GOES timing accuracy as transmitted from

Wallops Island is maintained to within at least 10 microseconds by continuous

monitoring relative to Loran-C and GPS satellite transmissions and by

occasional portable clock trips.

Reception of the GOES time code is possible on a continuous basis throughout

much of the Western hemisphere as shown by the coverage maps for both

satellites in Figure 1. Overlapping coverage is provided within the

continental U.S. and certain other areas. While there are also operational

satellites in the European (METEOSAT) and Japanese (GMS) regions that are part

- 1.2 -
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of the same worldwide meteorological satellite system as GOES, these

satellites do not currently include an identical or similar time code in their

broadcast formats. Several forms of commercial GOES time code receivers are currently available which feature automatic operation with small antennas.

Prices range from about $3500 to $4500, depending on the accuracy level and

receiver features provided.

C . Recent Improvements to the GOES System

As the GOES time code system and operational procedures have evolved during

the past few years, several improvements have been incorporated. A secondgeneration system that provides increased reliability through triple

redundancy, more elaborate diagnostic information available remotely to

NBS/Boulder personnel, independent electrical power backup, and the

replacement of rubidium standards with more stable (in long term) cesium

devices has been installed at Wallops Island. The information transmitted to users has been expanded to include higher-resolution satellite position data,

UT1 time scale information, daylight-saving- time indicators, leap-second

notification, expected-accuracy indicators for each time code, the current

year, and system status information. Monitoring has also been expanded by

placing receivers at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, DC, and at

radio station WWVH in Hawaii to provide better geographical coverage and by

acquiring dedicated backup receivers for the NBS/Boulder and Ft. Collins, CO,

backup systems. GOES status information is now available to interested users via the monthly NBS Time and Frequency Bulletin [2] and, on a more current

basis, from the USNO Automated Data Service. The USNO system can be accessed

using a variety of terminals at either 300 or 1200 baud with even parity.

Telephone access numbers are: (202) 653-1079 (commercial); 653-1079 (FTS)

;

and 294-1079 (Autovon) . After responding to the prompt asking for

identification, the GOES status information is obtained by requesting the file

"NBSGO" with the command "@NBSG0" followed by a carriage return. These status

reports are designed to report interruptions in service, temporary

perturbations in operations which result in reduced reception accuracies or other problems, and accomplished or projected changes that affect the GOES

time code.

- 1.4 -
GOES SATELLITE TIME CODE DISSEMINATION:

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

2. DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

A . Intended Audience of User and Performance Levels

The GOES time code dissemination system was designed with the intent of

providing continuously available, convenient- to-use timing signals for those users needing better accuracies, coverage, and reception reliability than are typically available from WWV, WWVH, and WWVB . This translates roughly into

accuracy capabilities of better than 1 millisecond, coverage extending well

beyond the U.S. mainland, and reliable reception 24 hours per day that is not

subject to serious degradation due to ionospheric and atmospheric propagation

variations

.

A number of previous user surveys conducted by NBS have shown that the needs

for time and frequency reference signals span a very wide range of accuracy

requirements, specific types of information, geographical location, and

measurement application. It is also clear that very large numbers of users and applications are involved. Since existing HF broadcast services such as those from radio stations WWV and CHU have traditionally been very successful

in serving the large numbers of customers with relatively modest needs for

accuracy, the GOES time code was developed from the beginning to provide

relatively modest numbers of users who need timing accuracies in the 10-1000

microsecond range with continuous, reliable, and widely available timing

signals suitable for use with automated, relatively inexpensive receiving

equipment. Typical users or applications include: a common time base for

correlating scientific observations made at widely separated sites - e.g.,

monitoring of geophysical events; the coordination of switching operations to

control power flow in large interconnected electric power networks; a timing

reference for analyzing the sequence of events before and during faults in the

electric power networks; the synchronization of various types of communication

networks and systems; calibration labs and other organizations needing an

NBS- traceable timing reference at an accuracy level of better than 1 millisecond; and a convenient, widely accessible source of "coarse" time for

systems such as electronic navigation systems that have internal capabilities

for synchronization at much higher accuracy levels.

The GOES time code is designed so that it can be used at two different

accuracy levels, depending on each user's particular requirements. If the

highest possible accuracies are not needed, only part of the time code

information need be used with a resulting reduction in equipment cost and

complexity. However, by making use of the satellite position data transmitted

along with the time information, a user has the option to achieve higher

accuracies but at the expense of a more sophisticated receiver.

In contrast to many other sources of timing signals, such as Loran-C

navigation transmissions, the GOES satellite time code provides complete UTC

time information, including the year, day-of-year, hour, minute, second, and

- 2.1 -
fraction of a second. In addition, the code also gives certain other related

information such as indicators for standard or daylight saving time, leap

years, the difference between UTC and the astronomical time scale UT1

,

indicators for the current accuracy of the transmitted time signals, and

system diagnostic indicators. Full details on these features of the time code

format are made available to receiver manufacturers so that users can have

access to the complete information via the commercial receiver versions.

B . Link to the NBS Primary Standards and Time Scales

The GOES time code is designed and operated in such a way that the actual

received time signal at the user's location is directly related to the primary

UTC(NBS) atomic time scale maintained by the NBS Time and Frequency Division

in Boulder, CO. Since this UTC(NBS) time scale is based on the primary NBS

Frequency Standard, users with access to the GOES time code essentially have

access to the primary NBS standards, though, of course, with appropriate

accuracy degradations due to the links to the users that are involved.

Since NBS does not own or control the overall GOES satellite system, there are

a number of constraints placed upon how the links to the users are implemented

and operated to minimize accuracy degradations. For example, NBS cannot

transmit its time signals directly from the Boulder, CO, location of the

primary standards to the satellites, but rather must perform this operation

from NOAA'S Satellite Control Facility at Wallops Island, VA. As a result the

time code system must be designed so that, effectively, a version of UTC(NBS) can be established and accurately maintained at Wallops Island. Details of

how this is accomplished will be discussed later in this document, but the

basic method used is to maintain a set of independent atomic frequency

standards and clocks at Wallops Island and then to periodically measure them

in terms of UTC(NBS) and adjust their outputs accordingly to remain within

certain limits relative to UTC (NBS ) . Similarly, NBS is dependent on NOAA for

the basic satellite tracking data used to generate predictions of satellite

position for path delay compensation. NBS has no control over the quality of

the satellite tracking data, but continuously monitors timing errors in the

received time code and attempts to keep users informed when system errors are larger than normal.

Based on many years of continuous monitoring of the GOES time code

performance, we can conclude that: (1) the time signals generated at Wallops

Island by the NBS equipment can be kept within 10 microseconds of UTC(NBS) at

all times; (2) the received time code can be used anywhere within the

hemispheric coverage area at an accuracy level of about 1 millisecond by

making only a constant correction to all data for the approximate geographical

location of the receiver; and (3) the received time code can usually provide

better than 100-microsecond accuracy with respect to UTC(NBS) by using the

satellite position data to compensate for path delay variations.

C . Reliability and Performance Verification Aspects

NBS has designed the GOES time code dissemination system with the point of

view that the service should be essentially as reliable as the other NBS time

and frequency dissemination services, such as WWV, WWVH, and WWVB . In

- 2.2 -
practical terms this implies downtimes of less than 0.1%. To achieve this

level of reliability a number of features and operational capabilities have

been built into the equipment and control procedures. Double or triple

redundancy is used for all critical subsystems at Wallops Island, including

the atomic frequency standards, time code generators, and communications

components. Additional spare units are maintained and are regularly operated

and monitored in Boulder. Redundant data acquisition equipment is also used

at both sites. Complete diagnostic information on the Wallops Island

equipment is continuously generated automatically and can be accessed from

Boulder at any time via dial-up telephone lines. System "health" indicators

are also transmitted as part of the time code message and are routinely

monitored in Boulder. The time outputs from the three redundant time code

generators at Wallops Island are automatically compared and an out-of-specification result immediately generates alarms at Wallops Island to

alert the NOAA staff of a problem and transmits an appropriate alarm signal

over the satellite link to the monitoring system in Boulder.

To further guard against errors in the transmitted time code, particularly

those that might be dependent upon the specific geographical location,

independent time code monitoring facilities are maintained at Ft. Collins, CO;

Washington, DC; and Kauai, HI in addition to the extensive monitoring at

NBS/Boulder. The system control capabilities that enable personnel in Boulder

to insert updated data in the Wallops Island equipment and to adjust as necessary the basic frequencies and times involved via dial-up telephone lines are also duplicated at Ft. Collins, CO for redundancy. Essentially all

monitoring and control procedures can be conducted equally well from either

the Boulder or Ft. Collins sites with trained personnel at each location.

D . Support for Time Code Users

NBS attempts to provide active support for GOES time code equipment

manufacturers and users . Timely responses are provided to requests for

information. Special publications and brochures are generated and widely

distributed. At appropriate intervals technical presentations are made at

conferences and meetings to inform users and potential users of the current

capabilities and performance of the time code system. Each month relevant

information about the time code system and performance, including performance

perturbations, scheduled changes in operations, and other status reports, is

published in the Time and Frequency Bulletin and distributed to a large

mailing list that is updated annually. For those users needing to know such

information on a more timely basis, NBS maintains a GOES status file in the

U.S. Naval Observatory's Automated Data Service in Washington, DC. Interested

users can access this computer file of current information at any time free of

charge using any type of standard communications terminal.

- 2.3 -

GOES SATELLITE TIME CODE DISSEMINATION:

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

3. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM

A. Introduction

The complete system to generate, monitor, and evaluate the GOES satellite time

code includes subsystems at a number of different locations. The time code is

actually generated at NOAA's Satellite Control Facility at Wallops Island, VA.

This site also includes data acquisition equipment, alarm systems, and

communications equipment. The critical orbital element information, needed in

the computation of the satellite positions for path delay correction, is

generated from NOAA and NASA satellite tracking data and distributed from

NOAA's Satellite Operations Control Center in Suitland, MD , to NBS/Boulder and

NBS/Ft. Collins. After the orbital element information is used in Boulder as input to a large satellite orbit determination computer program, the resulting

predictions of each satellite's position each hour for a ten-day period are transmitted back to the time code generation system at Wallops Island for

inclusion in the time code message sent to the satellites. In addition to

generating the position prediction data, the NBS/Boulder site is responsible

for overall control of the time code system, updating the information being

transmitted in the time code as appropriate, monitoring the status of the

Wallops Island equipment, responding to any system abnormalities, continuously

monitoring the performance of the GOES/East and GOES/West time codes as received in Boulder, archiving all monitoring data from Boulder and the other

monitoring locations, notifying users of the overall system status, and

coordinating all operations with the backup time code system operator at Ft.

Collins, CO. Time code monitoring operations are conducted at Washington, DC;

Kauai, HI; and Ft. Collins, CO, as well as in Boulder. The remainder of this

section includes more details on the various functions and equipment at each

of the sites mentioned.

B. Wallops Island. VA

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the NBS subsystems located at NOAA's Wallops

Island Satellite Control Facility. The basic time and frequency reference is

obtained from a set of two independent cesium atomic frequency standards.

Their outputs drive three independent time code generators, designated TCG A,

TCG B, and TCG C. Provisions are included for inserting rate offsets for each

cesium standard (to keep the reference frequencies in agreement with the rate

of the UTC(NBS) time scale) and time offsets for each time code generator (to

keep the actual time outputs synchronized to the UTC(NBS) time scale) . The

rate and time offsets can be entered into the system via a dial-up

communications link from Boulder. Because of the extremely high stability of

the cesium standards used, the rate corrections are very small (typically,

less than a few parts in 10 12

) and need to be revised only about once per

year. The outputs of the three time code generators are continuously compared

and, if normal limits are exceeded, generate an audible alarm to alert the

Wallops Island personnel to immediately inform NBS of the situation.

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Generally, the alarm circuitry is set to generate alarms if any two time code

generators differ by more than about 15 microseconds. Time adjustments can be

performed as necessary from Boulder in steps of integral multiples of 0.2

microseconds. The output of any of the time code generators can be selected

to provide the actual coded time information to the GOES/East and GOES/West

satellite uplink systems.

The satellite position data included along with the basic time information are stored in each time code generator's memory and are kept current by periodic

updates from Boulder via the dial-up link. Although the position data from

Boulder include new values only for each hour, the Wallops Island systems

interpolate between these values each minute so that the users of the received

time code can obtain path delay corrections that accurately reflect the

satellite's position at all times. The position data as transmitted include

the latitude, longitude, and a radial distance relative to a fixed reference

satellite orbit. These data, together with the known locations of the Wallops

Island origination point and the receiver, are sufficient for the computation

of the particular propagation-path delay with a resolution of less than 1 microsecond

.

The Wallops Island equipment also includes doubly redundant data loggers for

storing one month of daily measurements on each of 8 data channels and more

than 5 days worth of hourly measurements of each time code generator output.

These measurements are typically differences between the time code generators

and a received Loran-C navigation system signal. Since the Loran-C timing

signals are also monitored versus the UTC(NBS) time scale in Boulder, the

Wallops Island measurements can be used to indicate when the atomic standards

or time code generator outputs need to be adjusted in order to keep the

transmitted time code within acceptable limits relative to UTC(NBS). The

stored measurement results are periodically examined remotely from Boulder via

the dial-up link to assure proper system performance.

The Wallops Island time code generation software also contains provisions for

including other types of information in the time code as transmitted. This

includes: (1) accuracy indicators to alert users when the time code accuracy

is degraded for any reason; (2) indicators for daylight-saving- time periods;

(3) an indicator to alert users that a leap second will be inserted into

UTC(NBS) at the end of the current month; (4) position data for a spare GOES

satellite during eclipse periods when the NBS time code may be switched to the

spare satellite for two hours each day; (5) the current value of DUT1 , which

gives the approximate difference between the astronomical UT1 and the UTC time

scales; (6) an identifier of the current "on-the-air" time code generators;

and (7) certain system health status indicators to alert NBS/Boulder personnel

of selected abnormal conditions at Wallops Island.

Once the NBS time code signals are inserted into NOAA's GOES uplink equipment,

NBS has no further control over the dissemination of the time code. Clearly,

a high degree of cooperation is necessary between NOAA and NBS to insure that

the overall time code dissemination process functions smoothly and with the

performance and excellent reliability characteristic of other NBS services.

As mentioned previously this cooperative arrangement is formalized by an NBS/NOAA Memorandum- of -Agreement initiated in 1977 and renewed periodically.

- 3.3 -
C . Space Segment

The operational GOES satellite system normally consists of two operational

satellites serving as GOES/East and GOES/West, an in-orbit spare satellite

positioned approximately midway between these two, and a varying number of

partially inactive, older in-orbit standby spacecraft. This space segment is

totally owned and controlled by NOAA. The time code signals are normally

uplinked continuously to both operational satellites on an S-band frequency as part of the interrogation channel used to communicate with the various Data

Collection Platforms in the environmental sensing system. The time codes are then transmitted back to earth on downlink frequencies of 468.8375 MHz and

468.825 MHz for GOES/East and GOES/West, respectively. The time code

transmissions are then received on the earth at a signal level of

approximately -130 dBm.

During normal operations the time codes are transmitted continuously through

the GOES/East and GOES/West satellites. However, due to certain electrical

power constraints in the present generation of GOES satellites, some modifications are sometimes invoked during two eclipse seasons each year when

the solar panels do not generate sufficient electrical power to maintain

normal operations. These periods are generally from 1 March to 15 April in

the Spring and from 1 September to 15 October in the Fall. Since the eclipse

period each day is centered at midnight at the local longitude of the

satellite, NOAA sometimes switches the time code operations from the normal

operational satellite to the spare satellite, located at about 100 degrees W.

longitude, for a two-hour period each day centered around 0500 UT for

GOES/East and 0900 UT for GOES/West. During the most recent period (Fall of

1987) , NOAA was able to avoid such temporary switching operations due to the

availability of newer satellites, GOES-6 and GOES-7. All future generations

of GOES satellites are expected to have higher power capabilities and will

therefore not require special procedures during the eclipse periods each year.

D. NOAA Ground Facilities

In addition to the NOAA Satellite Control Facility at Wallops Island, VA,

other NOAA facilities are also important in the functioning of the NBS time

code dissemination system. The NOAA-provided satellite tracking data have

already been mentioned. In the normal mode of operation NOAA generates sets

of satellite orbital elements approximately once each week by processing the

tracking data derived from measurements made at Wallops Island. These orbital

elements are then distributed to interested users, including NBS, by Telex

from the NOAA Satellite Operations Control Center in Suitland.

NOAA's computer facilities at Suitland, MD have also proved helpful to NBS

under some modes of operation by offering an independent, alternative access

to computed satellite position data through the direct accessing of

NOAA- generated ephemeris data files maintained at Suitland. This procedure

can offer advantages relative to the NBS/Boulder processing of the satellite

orbital elements in the sense that the NOAA ephemeris files are updated more often (every few days) than the orbital elements that are distributed to user organizations via Telex. The Suitland file access also generally allows the

- 3.4 -
position data in the time code to be updated with a shorter delay after a satellite maneuver. However, the NOAA ephemeris files accessible to NBS apply

only to satellites being used for the visual imaging operations. In some

cases, when the visual imaging and time code dissemination functions are performed by different GOES satellites, NBS must rely on its own position

predictions generated on the NBS computer system from the satellite orbital

elements

.

E. NBS/Boulder

NBS/Boulder serves as the central control facility for the GOES time code

operations. In addition, this site is responsible for a variety of other

functions including overall system monitoring, communications, coordination

with the various NOAA groups, documentation of system performance, software

and hardware development and maintenance, position data generation, user

support, and the archiving of performance data.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the principal subsystems used at

NBS/Boulder in the time code operations. The monitoring subsystem includes a minimum of six time code receivers, redundant data loggers, and microcomputer

hardware and software for analyzing, plotting, and archiving the satellite

data. The GOES/East and GOES/West time codes are each monitored continuously

by a set of three receivers. One of these is a version that receives the raw

time code without making use of the satellite position data to compensate for

path delay variations. The other two are more sophisticated versions that

function as primary and backup units to receive the code and use the satellite

position information to compensate for the path delays. The receiver outputs

are measured against a direct feed from the NBS atomic time scale system which

provides a direct measurement of the difference between the received signal

and UTC(NBS) . As an aid in assessing overall system performance, the

corrected (for path delay) and uncorrected receiver outputs for both the East

and West satellites are plotted continuously on strip chart recorders as well

as being stored in electronic form. The monitoring system also includes an oscilloscope display of the received 100 Hz clock waveforms which are sensitive indicators of the current status of local interfering signals

generated by nearby land-mobile radio communications. A specially modified

time code decoder is also used in the monitoring system to decode and display

the other information in the time code transmissions - e.g., the accuracy

indicators, daylight-saving-time status, leap-second status, DUTI value,

on-line TCG identifiers, and Wallops Island equipment alarm indicators.

Finally, the monitoring subsystems in Boulder include the capability to

monitor the status of a duplicate set of time code generators and data loggers

identical to that in use at Wallops Island. These units are maintained as spares for the Wallops Island subsystems and, in addition, can serve as testbeds for software/hardware upgrades or modifications before such changes

are implemented in the operational systems.

The NBS/Boulder facility also includes the necessary subsystem components for

producing the satellite position predictions in a form compatible with the

Wallops Island equipment. The primary computer processing is performed on a large mainframe computer system running a version of NASA's Goddard Trajectory

Determination System (GTDS) orbit determination program. The critical input

- 3.5 -
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data for this program consist of the satellite orbital elements, supplied to

NBS by NOAA . Typically, the GTDS program is run about once per week to

generate position predictions 10 days in advance for each operational

satellite carrying the time code. The GTDS program outputs a file of position

data which can be transmitted directly to the Wallops Island subsystem. When

the alternative position-data-generation procedure is used, in which the data

is actually generated by NOAA's Suitland, MD computer, the function of the

NBS/Boulder facility is to transfer the data files from Suitland to Boulder

over a dial-up link, reformat the data to be compatible with the Wallops

Island system, and then transfer it to Wallops Island. The various file

transfers involved in all of these operations are conducted using a dedicated

microcomputer system running commonly available commercial communications

software or, in the case of the Boulder - Wallops Islands transfer, specially

developed file transfer software to provide for necessary error-checking.

The file transfer capabilities via dial-up links are also used routinely from

Boulder to access the remote time code monitoring system in Washington, DC.

Data transfer from the Hawaii monitoring site is done by physical transfer of

data tapes, since the Hawaiian phone lines do not always support reliable data

transfers. All monitoring data are examined for any signs of problems and

then archived in computer files for later use. The archived data include

hourly measurements from eight different receivers in three different

geographical locations.

The NBS/Boulder system provides control functions by allowing various commands

and interrogation messages to be easily communicated to the Wallops Island

equipment. Capabilities include the loading of updated position data, making

time and/or frequency adjustments to the basic references, examining and

resetting the alarm systems, re-initializing the time code generators and data

loggers in the event of a total electrical outage, examining and transferring

the monitoring data files, arming the system for automatically updating the

value for DUT1 or inserting a leap second at a specified time, arming the

system for automatic transmission of position data for the spare satellite

during eclipse periods, initiating instantaneous measurements of any of the

1-Hz signals, and updating and/or verifying the contents of any portion of the

system's memory.

NBS/Boulder also serves as the focal point for contacts with GOES time code users and equipment manufacturers. Information about the time code is

disseminated in a variety of ways. In addition to the normal responses to

correspondence, telephone calls, and visits, status information about the

system is made available to interested users by publication in the monthly

Time and Frequency Bulletin and, more currently, through a status file

maintained and updated regularly by NBS/Boulder as part of the U.S. Naval

Observatory's computerized Automated Data Service. For more complete and

longer-term information dissemination needs periodic technical papers and

reports are presented at appropriate conferences

.

F. Ft. Collins. CO Backup Facility

In order to provide backup equipment and personnel for performing all the

essential GOES time code monitoring and control operations, a complete backup

- 3.7 -
system has been established at the NBS WWV/WWVB radio station site near Ft.

Collins, CO under the control of the Engineer- in-Charge . The facilityincludes a dedicated microcomputer system, communication links and software,

monitoring receivers for both the East and West satellites, and data storage.

This site performs all necessary functions in the absence of Boulder

personnel, in case of Boulder equipment malfunctions, and routinely on a reasonably periodic basis to maintain skills and to verify proper operation of

the backup equipment and procedures. The Ft. Collins site is set up to

receive all GOES-related communications from NOAA (via Telex) independently of

Boulder

.

G . Auxiliary Monitoring Sites in Washington. DC. and Kauai. HI

Because the position data transmitted in the time code may produce path delay

corrections that depend on geographical location in unanticipated ways,

independent time code monitoring facilities are maintained outside the

Boulder/Ft. Collins area. The GOES/East satellite is monitored independently

at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, DC. A GOES time code receiver

operates continuously there and outputs its hourly measurements in terms of

the UTC(USNO) time scale to a file in the USNO computer system. These data

are then accessed from Boulder once per week and transferred to the NBS

archival files. Comparisons of these measurements with the corresponding data

from the Boulder systems are useful in detecting degradations in the quality

of the timing information as received, especially, during periods when the

satellite orbital elements are of lower quality than normal. In addition to

this monitoring role, as has been previously mentioned, the USNO facility is

used to house a computer file of current GOES system status information and

relevant announcements intended for users of the time code. This status file

is accessible to any user free of charge by simply dialing up the USNO system

with a suitable terminal and requesting the NBS file. The information in the

file is updated as needed remotely from Boulder.

For similar reasons an independent monitoring capability for GOES/West is

maintained at NBS radio station WWVH located in Kauai, HI. This receiver's

data are stored on floppy disks which are mailed to Boulder at two-week

intervals. The data are then transferred into the archival files using a specially developed formatting program. The WWVH GOES measurements are referenced to the local WWVH time scale system which is kept synchronized to

within five microseconds of UTC(NBS) at all times via higher-accuracy GPS

satellite comparisons with Boulder and by occasional portable clock

comparisons with other standards.

- 3.8 -
GOES SATELLITE TIME CODE DISSEMINATION

:

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

4. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

From the user's point of view the GOES satellite time code can almost be

considered as a utility service that is conveniently and continuously

available over a wide geographical area without the need for detailed

knowledge about how the service is provided. The procurement and simple

installation of a suitable GOES time code receiver provides NBS referenced

time at the user's site to within the published specifications with the

complex support operations and procedures conducted by NBS and NOAA being

largely transparent at the point of use. In this section the supporting

operations that are critical to insuring that the delivered timing signals

remain within established limits will be briefly described. The operational

procedures to be described are grouped into several major categories

involving: (1) updating of the satellite position data; (2) verification of

the time and frequency performance of the Wallops Island equipment and the

related adjustments; (3) updating and verification of other data stored in the

Wallops Island systems and included in the time code transmissions; (4)

monitoring operations at NBS/Boulder; (5) monitoring of the GOES time code

performance at other sites; and (6) user notification channels.

In performing the various operational procedures involved with the GOES time

code, many different hardware and software subsystems are used, including

large mainframe computers at NBS/Boulder and at NBS/Gaithersburg

,

microcomputer systems at Boulder and Ft. Collins, CO, commercial communication

software packages for the microcomputers, numerous items of commercial and

highly specialized NBS -built time and frequency equipment, a complex

satellite-orbit-determination computer program originally developed by NASA,

numerous special-purpose computer programs developed by NBS, and other

hardware and software systems owned by organizations such as NOAA and the U.S.

Naval Observatory. Since it is clearly impractical to describe in detail how

all this hardware and software operates, only a general description of the

various procedures used to support the service is given.

1 . Procedures for Updating the Satellite Position Data

1.1. Generation of Updated Satellite Position Data

The procedure involves obtaining the most recent available satellite

orbital elements from NOAA, entering this and certain other

information as input into the GTDS orbit determination program,

running the GTDS program on a mainframe computer, and downloading

the resulting position data file to a local microcomputer system.

The sets of orbital elements for each of the two operational GOES

- 4.1 -
satellites relaying the time code originate with the NOAA satellite

tracking networks and the NOAA satellite navigation personnel in the

Washington, DC, area. The orbital elements are distributed to

interested users such as NBS approximately once per week by Telex.

In addition to these routine updates resulting from more recent

tracking data, NOAA also generates and distributes sets of predicted

post-maneuver orbital elements just prior to any satellite maneuver,

such as those performed occasionally to maintain the satellites'

orbital location near their assigned longitudes.

The orbital elements provide input information needed by the GTDS

orbit prediction program to project satellite positions during the

next ten- day period. These data are inserted into the GTDS program

by running a special procedure program that requires only simple

data entry in response to prompts. The main GTDS program is then run on the mainframe by a straightforward command from the local

microcomputer system operating in a terminal mode. Normally, this

operation is completed within a few minutes, resulting in the

creation of a file giving predicted satellite positions (latitude,

longitude, and radius) for each hour during the next ten days. This

file is then downloaded to the local microcomputer in an ASCII text

format that can be directly sent to the Wallops Island time code

generation system.

1.2. Transfer of Satellite Position Data to Wallops Island

The file of predicted satellite positions at hourly intervals is

then transmitted by a dial-up telephone link to the NBS time code

generation systems at NOAA's Satellite Control Facility in Wallops

Island, VA, by using a special-purpose data transfer program. The

program is designed to transmit in blocks of 24 hourly lines of

data, checking the received echo response of each character against

the original value. After each block further checks are made to

test transfer integrity by issuing appropriate commands to the time

code generators and observing the resulting responses. Any

discrepancies, such as are sometimes caused by poor telephone

circuit quality, cause the program to abort the load operation and

the process must be repeated until no errors are detected. The

valid data are then stored in designated memory locations within the

time code generators, where they are accessed at the appropriate

times for inclusion in the transmitted time code format along with

the time information. The time code generators also perform an interpolation function between the hourly values, so that the

transmitted values are actually updated each minute.

- 4.2 -
2 . Procedures for Verifying Wallops Island System Time and Frequency

Performance and Making Related Adjustments

2.1. Checking Performance of the Wallops Island Clock System

By accessing the Wallops Island equipment using a dial-up telephone

link with a microcomputer system operating in a terminal mode, we may command the system to display two types of performance data: (1) a set of recent hourly and daily measurements of each of the time

code generator outputs versus a local reference standard, which is

normally a Loran-C timing receiver or a GPS satellite receiver; and

(2) current, instantaneous measurements of any selected TCG output

versus the Loran-C reference. Alternatively, the direct time

difference between any two time code generators can be observed by

issuing a suitable command. This procedure allows Boulder or Ft.

Collins operational personnel to monitor the performance of each

time code generator and atomic frequency standard system in terms of

external references (Loran-C or GPS satellites) that can be related

easily to UTC(NBS) . Also, their relative performance can be easily

monitored so that adjustments can be made to individual subsystems

when the drift rates become excessive. Such measurements are routinely monitored every few days and whenever any type of

automatic alarm is generated by the system itself. Currently, the

measurements of the on-line time code generator in terms of the GPS

satellite system time provide the best method for insuring that the

GOES time code, as transmitted , does not depart from UTC(NBS) by

more than a few microseconds

.

2.2. Checking and Resetting Wallops Island System Date and Time

Provisions that allow a remote operator to easily check and, as appropriate, reset the system's date and/or time are included in the

Wallops Island time code generation system. Using a microcomputer

in a communications terminal mode, the operator simply sends

appropriate commands to the equipment to adjust any portion of the

current date or time. This procedure is normally required only in

the event of a major electrical power problem at Wallops Island, a serious NBS equipment malfunction, or occasionally to make a routine

adjustment of the 1 -hertz outputs to compensate for the small drift

rates of the atomic standards with respect to UTC(NBS)

.

2.3. Verifying and Resetting the Wallops Island Clock Rate Words

Since it is generally not a good idea to actually adjust a cesium

standard's frequency by frequent C-field changes and since no NBS

personnel are available at Wallops Island to perform such tasks, a remote capability has been provided in the system to effectively

- 4.3 -
allow frequency or rate adjustments to the basic standards. This is

accomplished indirectly in the time code generators by a provision

for adding or subtracting a selected number of 0.2 microsecond steps

per day, thus effectively adjusting the output frequency of the

cesium standard. The procedure simply requires an appropriate

command to be issued from Boulder or Ft. Collins by the

microcomputer system running in a terminal mode that modifies the

"rate word" stored for each of the independent TCG's.

Rate adjustments are normally made very infrequently. Many years of

experience has shown that, once the rate compensation is correctly

determined and implemented in the system, it generally is

unnecessary to revise it more often than about once per year.

During the interim periods, of course, occasional small time

adjustments are made to the 1-Hz outputs as described above to

maintain all reference signals within acceptable tolerances of a few

microseconds with respect to UTC(NBS).

3 . Procedures for Updating and Verifying Other Information in the Wallops

Island System

The transmitted time codes on the GOES/East and GOES/West satellites

contain, in addition to the time and position information, other related

information for the benefit of time code users. This includes indicators

of the current difference between the UT1 and UTC time scales, impending

leap seconds, current accuracies of the timing information, daylight

savings time periods, and the current year. This information must be

manually loaded into the appropriate memory locations in the time code

generators from Boulder and revised as necessary. Other information must

also be loaded which provides default satellite position data to be

broadcast under certain conditions, such as when the satellites are in

eclipse, and which performs certain system configuration functions on the

time code generators and data loggers

.

In each case the appropriate data are loaded into the Wallops Island

equipment by sending a command word from the local microcomputer system

that specifies the number of bytes to be loaded, the value of the data

bytes, the memory location where the data are to be stored, and a destination indicator (particular time code generator or data logger)

.

Similarly, commands can be sent that cause the Wallops Island system to

respond with the values of the data currently stored in any memory

location.

In some cases the data become effective immediately when loaded; for

example, a new value for the system accuracy is reflected immediately in

the transmitted time code. In other cases the loaded data arms an internal process which results in the revised values becoming effective

- 4.4 -
at some specified future time. Thus, for example, it is possible to set

new values for the DUT1 correction, the daylight- saving- time indicator,

the leap second warning indicator, and the operational mode during

eclipse periods, all of which affect the time code content at a later

time. In the rare case where a complete system outage has occurred and

all data must be re-entered into the systems as quickly as possible,

special "cold start" programs have been developed to automatically reload

all the current system parameters into the time code generators and data

loggers with minimal required involvement of the Boulder or Ft. Collins

operator

.

In performing most of these data loading operations the system operator

has a choice of using either a manual or a partly automated procedure.

The manual technique requires the operator to accurately formulate the

command word, transmit it to Wallops Island, and then to issue a "dump"

command to verify that it was completed successfully. In the

alternative, partly automated procedure the operator can make use of a specially developed software program that has been designed for maximum

convenience. In using this completely menu-driven program the operator

selects which parameter he wishes to load into the system from a menu and

responds to prompts for the values of the data bytes to be loaded and any

other necessary information. The program then constructs the appropriate

command word, transmits the command to the equipment, issues a verification command, and displays the results to the system operator.

In general, a totally experienced operator may prefer the manual approach

since it is quicker, while a backup less-experienced operator may prefer

the security and convenience of the automated software.

4 . Monitoring Operations at NBS/Boulder

4.1. Verification of Current Time Code Performance

A capability is maintained both at NBS/Boulder and at the NBS Ft.

Collins site for monitoring the current and recent timing

performance of the received time codes from GOES/East and GOES/West

and the current operational status of the overall system. The

monitoring systems include a number of satellite time code receivers

that continuously receive signals from both satellites, chart

recorders to provide a continuous plot of the received signals

versus UTC(NBS) , data loggers similar to those at Wallops Island, a specialized decoder for decoding and displaying certain selected

bits in the serial time codes, and suitable microcomputer equipment

for processing and storing the data.

Normally, the chart recorders are observed several times each work

day to insure proper time code performance. Four plots are routinely

generated: GOES/East and GOES/West uncorrected for satellite

- 4.5 -
position versus UTC(NBS) and GOES/East and GOES/West corrected for

satellite position. The corrected plots should normally stay within

100 microseconds of UTC(NBS) except for brief periods following

major satellite maneuvers. An oscilloscope display is maintained to

show the status of interference that may be perturbing one or more

receivers. Not much can be done about the interference when it is

troublesome, but it can help explain changes in observed

performance. The data loggers may be accessed at any time to view

the most recent 128 hourly measurements of the received signals or the most recent 30 daily values.

4.2. Archiving and Retrieving Past Time Code Performance Data

Procedures have been developed to store the GOES monitoring data on

a hard-disk system and to retrieve any selected portion of the data

for examination or plotting. The routine monitoring data from the

NBS/Boulder and Ft. Collins systems are normally transferred from

the data loggers to the hard- disk files each Monday and Friday.

Since the data loggers store the most recent 128 hours of data, this

procedure insures that no data are lost. The retrieval and plotting

procedures are performed whenever such data are needed. Generally,

5-day plots are produced for examination every few days to check on proper system operation and hardcopy plots are produced on a monthly

basis for archival purposes. Data plots for periods of up to 5 years

are generated occasionally for special publications and presentations. Three special-purpose computer programs have been written

to store the data logger data in archival files, plot the current

data from the data logger, and plot any selected portion of data

from the archival disk files.

4.3. Initialization of the Data Logger Systems

The data loggers used in the monitoring operations at NBS/Boulder

have provisions for driving chart recorders as well as for storing

past measurement data digitally. Upon initial setup or after

electrical power outages an initialization procedure must be

executed to define start and stop pulses for each of the eight

channels and to define various parameters associated with the analog

outputs for the chart recorders. A special purpose software program

is available to initialize these parameters automatically or they can be entered into the equipment manually by transmitting

appropriate command words from a microcomputer system acting as a terminal

.

Monitoring Operations at Other Sites

5.1. U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) , Washington, DC
A capability has been established to accumulate and archive

monitoring data from GOES/East as received at the USNO site as an independent check on the GOES/East time code performance. It is

important to have access to independent monitoring data from a different geographical location from Boulder since some time code

perturbations, such as effects due to poor quality satellite orbital

elements, are expected to be geographically dependent. The receiver

at the USNO monitors the GOES/East satellite continuously and transfers its data to a file in the USNO computer system. The data are in

the form of hourly measurements of GOES/East versus UTC(USNO) . The

file capacity is set to be about 10-11 days worth of the hourly

data. Data can be retrieved at any time by accessing the USNO

Automated Data Service and downloading the appropriate file. In

order to perform some error checking during the file transfer and to

store the resulting data properly in the NBS archival GOES data

files, a special downloading program has been developed.

5.2. NBS/Ft. Collins, CO, Site

Facilities are maintained at NBS radio station WWV at Ft. Collins,

CO to monitor the GOES/East and GOES/West time codes from an additional site and to provide a real-time indication of the results

of the various control operations that are performed from Ft.

Collins in its role as a backup operational control and monitoring

center for the GOES time code.

Continuously operating time code receivers are used to monitor the

East and West codes. At present the measurements of the differences

between the received GOES satellite timing signal and the local

UTC(WWV) timing system are preserved in a data logger and in disk

files but are not archived in the Boulder data files. They serve mainly as an indication of system performance when new position data

are inserted into the Wallops Island system from Ft. Collins.

Procedures involved for logging, displaying, archiving, and plotting

the received data are essentially identical to those used for the

NBS/Boulder system.

5.3. NBS/Kauai, HI, Site

NBS also accumulates and archives GOES/West monitoring data from a site at NBS radio station WWVH on Kauai, Hawaii. The data are monitored continuously by a time code receiver and hourly

measurements are stored in a data logger. Twice each week the data

are downloaded to a microcomputer disk file. At intervals of

approximately one month, data are transferred from WWVH to Boulder.

- 4.7 -
The procedures for data collection and data logger setup are essentially identical to those employed at Boulder and Ft. Collins.

6 . User Notification Procedures

6.1. NBS Time and Frequency Bulletin

To keep users informed of changes in the GOES system or operations

and to report significant perturbations to the time code performance

as observed at NBS/Boulder, one section of the monthly Time and

Frequency Bulletin is devoted to reporting such information. This

provides one means of keeping GOES time code users informed about

past, current, and future developments in the service but has the

disadvantage that the information may be more than a month old by

the time the Bulletin reaches the end user.

Past and current performance information is based on the extensive

monitoring capabilities described previously. Information about

future developments, such as revised operational modes during

upcoming eclipse periods or the anticipated launching of new

satellites, is obtained through periodic contacts with various NOAA

officials concerned with relevant aspects of the overall GOES

satellite system.

6.2. GOES Status Reports in the USNO Automated Data Service System

In order to provide a mechanism for informing users of the GOES time

code about the current status of the system on a more timely basis

than is possible by the NBS Time and Frequency Bulletin, NBS and the

USNO cooperates by maintaining a status file in USNO's Automated

Data Service that is accessible to any user at any time free of

charge. The GOES status file in the USNO computer system is updated

by NBS GOES personnel whenever there is a significant event to

report. Every effort is made to report changes and announcements as soon as practical. The file is named "NBSGO" and users access it by

using a standard type of computer terminal or a microcomputer

operating in a terminal mode at 300, 1200, or 2400 Baud using even

parity and 7 data bits. The user is only required to dial the

appropriate access telephone number, answer a prompt with his name and organization, and then transmit the command "@NBSG0" followed by

a carriage return in order to download the status file.

The procedure for updating this status file consists of preparing a suitable text file using a word processor and microcomputer system,

accessing the USNO system by appropriate passwords, transmitting the

file to the USNO computer system, and then reading the file for

verification purposes. Examples of information reported include

- 4.8 -
recent abnormal performance perturbations in the time code,

announcements of upcoming satellite maneuvers and their likely

impact on users, and notifications about revised operations during

eclipse periods.

- 4.9 -

GOES SATELLITE TIME CODE DISSEMINATION

:

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

5. ASSESSMENT OF UNCERTAINTIES

A. Introduction

In a one-way time dissemination system, such as the GOES satellite time code,

there are a number of error sources that can degrade the accuracy of the

timing signal as received at the user's site, even if the signal is assumed to

be exactly on time at the origination point at Wallops Island, VA. The

principal reason is that several components of the distribution system may

introduce additional time delays as the transmitted signal follows the Wallops

Island- to-GOES-satellite and satellite-to-user path. To the extent that such

additional delays are known or measurable and remain constant with time, it

may be possible to account for them without adversely affecting the overall

performance of the system.

In the case of the GOES time code the major potential error sources include

the following:

1) Time differences between the Wallops Island reference clocks

providing the time code signals and the UTC(NBS) time scale;

2) Delays due to the electronic processing equipment at Wallops Island

that take the NBS time code signal as input and convert it into a suitable form for transmitting to the GOES satellites;

3) The free-space signal propagation delay for the path from Wallops

Island to the user's location;

4) Additional delays introduced by the GOES satellite transponder as the time code signal is received and retransmitted to the earth;

5) Effects on the signal as it passes through the troposphere and

ionosphere ; and

6) Delays due to the user's receiving equipment.

In Section C below each of these possible error contributions will be

discussed in more detail.

B . Quoted Uncertainties

NBS generally quotes three different accuracy capabilities for the GOES time

code technique. For users who wish to simply receive and decode the time data

without making any corrections for satellite path delay, the maximum error is

16 milliseconds, and the exact amount depends on the particular geographical

location. For users who are willing to calibrate the path delay one time by

some appropriate independent means, the time code variations will not normally

exceed 1 millisecond and the system may be used at this accuracy level over

long periods of time. For users with the most sophisticated receivers that use the satellite position data in the time code to compute continually

updated satellite path delay corrections, the accuracy capability normally

remains within 100 microseconds and often stays within 50 microseconds for

long periods. In all modes of operation, however, the user must be aware that
unusual situations such as eclipse periods and satellite maneuvers can cause system accuracy to be temporarily degraded beyond these limits.

C . Discussion of Error Sources

1) Wallops Island Reference Errors. The timing outputs of the time

code generators are remotely adjustable from Boulder in steps of 0.2

microsecond, and, in principle, could be kept within less than 1 microsecond of the UTC(NBS) time scale. However, since the GOES

time code system is designed to provide accuracies in the 10-100

microsecond range, the reference signals from the time code

generators are normally controlled only to remain within a few

microseconds of UTC(NBS) . As discussed in more detail in other

parts of this document, the time code generator outputs are routinely monitored against appropriate references to maintain this

accuracy level. This is easily performed by observing at frequent

intervals the measured time differences with respect to the other

time code generators themselves, the external references from LoranC and the GPS satellite system, and most importantly, with respect

to UTC(NBS) directly by continuous reception of the GOES/East and

GOES/West satellite signals at Boulder and Ft. Collins, CO. These

monitoring and time -adjustment procedures limit timing errors at

Wallops Island with respect to UTC(NBS) to less than 10 microseconds

at all times.

2) Equipment Delays at Wallops Island. As the timing outputs of the

NBS equipment at Wallops Island are further processed through other

electronic subsystems, such as frequency translators and modulators,

to integrate them into the composite satellite uplink signal,

additional time delays may be introduced. Since experience has

shown that these delays remain constant over very long periods of

time and are difficult to evaluate precisely without an on-site NBS

staff, they are treated as fixed biases and compensated for by

advancing the originating timing signals by an appropriate amount.

The uncertainties and variations in these fixed delays are much

smaller than the overall accuracy of the time dissemination system.

3) Free-Space Propagation Delay. Following the propagation path from

Wallops Island to the GOES satellite and back to the user's location

on the earth, the time code signal is delayed by approximately 260

milliseconds. The exact amount, of course, depends on the exact

positions of the satellite and the user's location and can be

calculated using straightforward geometrical considerations. As the

satellite moves around in its geostationary orbit, the path length,

and thus the signal propagation time, also change by corresponding

amounts

.

Since the GOES satellites are constrained to remain close to their

assigned orbital locations in the geostationary arc, stationkeeping

maneuvers are performed on the satellites as necessary to keep the

positions within acceptable tolerances. Typically such

stationkeeping maneuvers are needed several times each year. The

-5.2-
effect of these maneuvers on timekeeping capabilities is to place

bounds on how far the path lengths and the corresponding variations

in path time delays can deviate from some mean value associated with

the nominal, assigned orbital location.

NBS advances the time codes at the Wallops Island origination point

by exactly 260 milliseconds (the mean path delay) , so that the

uncorrected time code arrives at any point within the coverage area on the earth with a maximum error of 16 milliseconds. If the user

is willing and able to compute, or otherwise determine, the

appropriate path delay for his particular geographical location and

apply this as a fixed correction to all received data, the only

remaining errors are due to the variations in the received signals

due to variations in the satellite position. The magnitude of the

changes in the satellite position depends largely on the exact orbit

of the satellite and, in particular, on the orbit inclination.

For typical GOES/East and GOES/West satellites, operating under

normal conditions, many years of monitoring have shown that time

code variations over periods of one day to several years rarely

exceed 1 millisecond due to satellite motion. However, under more

unusual circumstances, for example, when a satellite failure causes

the time code transmissions to be shifted to an in-orbit spare

satellite, larger variations may be produced. This may happen when

the spare satellite has a larger- than-normal orbital inclination or when the orbit is not as well determined for some reason. Experience has shown that, in the worst cases, the orbit inclination

may reach 2-3 degrees, resulting in time code path delay variations

of between 2 and 3 milliseconds. Such occurrences, though rare, do

happen occasionally and, unfortunately, are not predictable or controllable by NBS. Time code shifts larger than the typical 1-2

millisecond range may also be produced during eclipse periods during

the Spring and Fall seasons each year, when time code operations are sometimes transferred to a spare satellite that is located in an entirely different orbital position for two hours each day. When

this operational procedure is followed by NOAA, the result may be

large changes of many milliseconds in the path delay for the

affected time codes during the two -hour periods each day. However,

because the shift is so large and occurs on a known schedule, it can easily be identified and accounted for by the users. Beginning with

the launch of new- generation GOES satellites in 1987, this eclipse

effect should be eliminated, since the newer, higher-powered

satellites are designed to maintain normal operations throughout the

eclipse periods without requiring shifts of operations to spare

satellites. In the Fall 1987 eclipse season, for example, no time

code shifts to other satellites were necessary.

For those users needing accuracy better than about 1 millisecond,

NBS provides the means to make automatic compensations for any path

delay variations. The procedure, as discussed previously, entails

using the satellite position data transmitted along with the time

information to compute the magnitude of the path delay to the user's

-5.3-
site. Since the position data are updated once each minute,

uncertainties associated with the path delay computation can be kept

relatively low. The achievable accuracy, of course, depends on the

quality of the satellite position information, which in turn depends

mainly on the quality of the satellite tracking data supplied to NBS

by NOAA. Once again, this critical component of the overall time

code system uncertainty is not under the control of NBS.

Furthermore, experience has shown that the quality of the tracking

data and resulting orbit determination uncertainties can vary from

time to time in unpredictable ways. Generally, however, such

problems do not cause time code variations exceeding 100

microseconds. Under some conditions, such as at the time of

satellite maneuvers, one expects that the resulting orbital

determinations may have larger- than-normal associated uncertainties

for a few days until new tracking data can be accumulated and

processed. The problem has not proved to be too severe, however,

since NOAA routinely issues sets of predicted post-maneuver orbital

elements prior to each maneuver and these are usually of sufficient

quality that the resulting position predictions after the maneuver

remain within our normal 100-microsecond limits. In unusual cases,

when the actual maneuver differs significantly from that projected,

the transmitted position data after the maneuver may produce path

delay computation errors of several hundred microseconds; these may

persist for up to one week until a revised orbit determination based

on actual observations becomes available to NBS. To minimize the

impact on users at such times NBS flags the abnormal -accuracy

condition by changing an appropriate bit in the time code data

stream. Some receivers are designed to detect this bit and alert

the user of the degraded system accuracy and to display the

approximate magnitude of the maximum error in the time code.

Even if the satellite orbit data contained no errors, some uncertainties would be introduced by any imperfections in the large,

sophisticated GTDS computer program used to generate the satellite

position predictions. Although the GTDS program attempts to

incorporate the complex perturbing effects of the moon, sun,

planets, and other forces on the earth satellite, this cannot be

done perfectly for such a complex physical system. The

documentation for this program requires several large volumes and

the analysis of potential errors is well beyond the scope of this

discussion[ 3 ] . However, there are some observations that shed some light on the level of possible errors introduced by GTDS. We

consistently observe a diurnal effect in the recorded measurements

of the received time code as corrected for path delay versus the

"standard," UTC(NBS). This very regular, sinusoidal variation

typically shows a peak-to-peak magnitude of 10 to 30 microseconds

during a period of one day (see the data plots discussed later in

this section) . It apparently reflects some combination of

imperfections in the tracking data and the processing of these data

by the GTDS program. The fact that the diurnal variations do not

usually exceed this range gives us some confidence in the

capabilities of GTDS to perform at the 100 microsecond level or

-5.4-
better. Also, for a period of about one year we had regular

opportunities to compare the time code performance when two

different versions of GTDS were used to generate the path delay

corrections. Although the two versions (one at NBS/Boulder and the

other at NOAA/Suitland) were obviously very similar in many ways,

they had been independently adapted for different mainframe

computers and operating systems. Generally, the NOAA/Suitland

results seemed to show somewhat lower diurnal variations, but the

actual computed path delays agreed to within at least 20

microseconds. Finally, our observations over many years show no long-term systematic drifts in the values of GOES time code versus

UTC(NBS) , suggesting that any errors being introduced into the path

delay computation process are at least not time dependent in any

significant way.

Transponder Delays. The time code signals are transmitted to the

GOES satellites from Wallops Island at S-band, changed in frequency

to the downlink frequency of about 469 MHz, and retransmitted to the

earth. The processing of the signals through the satellite

transponders and antenna systems results in some additional time

delay. Although the transponder delays are known from pre -launch

measurements on the ground and could, in principle, be treated as a separate correction to be applied to the received data, it is

generally easier and more practical to consider them as part of the

overall equipment delays which can be estimated by comparing the

received time code initially with a known timing reference at the

user's site. Experience indicates that such delays can be

considered as a constant correction over long periods without

introducing significant errors.

Ionospheric/Tropospheric Effects

.

As the time code signals pass

through the ionosphere and atmosphere they are subjected to various

perturbations relative to a totally free-space path. These effects

have been thoroughly studied and documented in the radio propagation

literature. For the frequency range of interest, the typical paths

used, and the overall accuracy level of interest with the GOES time

code, these effects can be considered negligible.

Receiver Delays. The receiving equipment commonly used with the GOES

time code signals introduces additional delays into the signal path.

These delays are usually measured for each receiver at time of

manufacture and compensated for by setting switches in an appropriate delay-compensation circuit. Provisions and measurement

instructions are usually included with the receiver to permit the

user to check, and if necessary, readjust the delay compensation.

Comparisons made on many different receivers at NBS suggest that the

uncertainties associated with the manufacturers' delay

determinations may be as high as 30 microseconds and are also

somewhat dependent on received signal strength and ambient

temperature. For most applications these delays may be treated as constant in time.
7) Measurement Uncertainties. Typical applications of the GOES time

code involve the measurement of the time difference between the

received GOES time code reference and a local clock pulse. Although

the resolution of such a measurement can easily be maintained at

better than 1 microsecond with simple equipment, there are much

larger uncertainties introduced by the rather limited bandwidth

occupied by the time code signal. For the typical signal-to-noise

ratios available and a 100 hertz data rate for the time code,

fundamental considerations lead to uncertainty levels of about 10

microseconds. This is borne out by the observed scatter of

successive measurements of the received time code, using two

identical, collocated receivers in the NBS laboratory.

D . Summary of Performance -Monitoring Data

In view of the extreme complexity of the overall GOES time code dissemination

system and the difficulties discussed above associated with establishing valid

statistical uncertainties for the various components of the system, the best

estimate of actual system performance achieved is obtained from monitoring

data collected at a variety of sites. Since the ultimate objective of this

service is to provide UTC(NBS) at each user's site, one need only to receive

the GOES time code at various geographical locations where a reference

standard with a known relationship to UTC(NBS) is available and to monitor the

time difference between the received GOES signal and the known reference. The

degree to which the received signal agrees with UTC(NBS) is a measure of the

overall uncertainty of the dissemination system, taking into account all the

delays and uncertainties described previously. The degree to which the

observed time difference, if any, remains constant with time is a measure of

the overall system stability performance.

Monitoring sites currently include: the main facility at NBS in Boulder, CO;

the backup operations control facility at the NBS radio station site in Ft.

Collins, CO; the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, DC; and the NBS WWVH

radio station site on the island of Kauai, HI. Monitoring data from these

sites are regularly accessed from Boulder, analyzed, and archived in permanent

computer files. Periodically, these results are compiled and published to

document the performance of the GOES time code system. One example can be

found in Reference [4]

.

Figure 4 is a plot of the observed daily averages of UTC(NBS) -GOES/East over a period of about 4 years where no corrections have been made for satellite

position variations. The sudden shift in the time code data of about 1 millisecond near day number 1200 is not an actual change in the received data

but rather reflects a modification to the receiver at NBS which resulted in a significantly different delay. This instrumentation effect could be corrected

for but has not been in this plot. This time code performance is typical of

that observed by users with receivers that do not make use of the transmitted

satellite position information. The conclusion is that the received code can

be considered as a reasonable representation of UTC(NBS) to within about 1 millisecond as long as a constant correction is applied to all data for the

user's approximate geographical location. The obvious lack of a long term

drift of the GOES time signal with respect to UTC(NBS) speaks well for the

-5.6-
capabilities of the responsible agencies in maintaining good satellite

s tationkeeping operations.

Figure 5 presents data for a corresponding period of about 4 years , but in

this case the received data represent daily averages of UTC (NBS ) -GOES/East

after corrections are applied for satellite position variations. These data

are typical of what a user would observe with an automatic receiver that

decodes the satellite position information in the time code, computes path

delay corrections, and continually adjusts the output 1 Hz reference signal to

remain close to UTC(NBS) . Although it is apparent from the plot that

occasional brief periods exist (such as at times of satellite maneuvers) when

the received time signals depart from UTC(NBS) by 100 microseconds or more,

the great majority of the data fall within a 50 microsecond range with respect

to UTC (NBS)

.

An analysis of similar monitoring results as obtained from different

geographical locations, such as Washington, DC, and Hawaii, shows conclusively

that the overall system performance does not depend significantly on the

particular geometry involved. In other words, the GTDS program is very

effective in computing the proper satellite positions which, in turn, can be

used by the receiver algorithms to compute accurate path delays to any

location. From many years of such observations we feel safe in considering

the overall system accuracy to be within 100 microseconds, excluding the

relatively brief periods covering special situations such as satellite

maneuvers. Users are cautioned about these "abnormal" periods by a variety of

means, including published information about the GOES system, announcements in

the monthly Time and Frequency Bulletin, special alerts updated as often as necessary in the GOES status information file maintained by NBS in the U.S.

Naval Observatory's Automated Data Service computer system, and designated

accuracy indicator bits in the time code message.

SQN033S0y0IW

- 5.9 -

GOES SATELLITE TIME CODE DISSEMINATION:

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

6. INTERNAL QUALITY CONTROL

A. Monitoring at Wallops Island for Internal Quality Control

In order to insure that the operating cesium standards and their associated

time code generator outputs remain within a few microseconds of UTC(NBS) at

all times, the 1 Hz outputs of the time code generators are monitored with

respect to both Loran-C and the GPS satellite signals. For Loran-C a commercial timing receiver is used and the differences between each time code

generator and an appropriate Loran-C signal from the receiver are measured

once each hour and stored in the Wallops Island data logger system.

Measurement resolution is a small fraction of 1 microsecond. Since the LoranC delay was previously calibrated by portable clock comparisons and since

Loran-C system time is accurately known with respect to UTC(NBS) at all times,

these data provide a reliable link from the time code generators to UTC(NBS)

.

Even though the various Loran-C transmissions may depart from UTC(NBS) by a microsecond or so on occasion, they are constrained through their control

links to UTC(USNO) such that any difference is bounded. Thus, a measurement

of the NBS time code generators versus Loran-C can generally be relied upon to

within at least a few microseconds. One operational difficulty, however, is

that re-establishing proper operation of a Loran-C receiver after a malfunction is a complex task, not easily performed by the NOAA Wallops Island

staff, who are not time and frequency specialists. The result is that once

the Loran-C receiver becomes disabled for any reason, it may remain out of

service for some time before someone who can set it up again for proper

operation becomes available.

In recognition of the potential difficulties with Loran-C, NBS established

during 1985 an alternative monitoring system based on reception of the timing

signals from the Global Positioning Satellite System. Since the GPS timing

receiver was designed and constructed by NBS, there are ample servicing and

replacement possibilities. The GPS receiver is fully automatic and operates

for many months without attention. The receiver measures nominally ten GPS

satellite passes each day and for each one stores a 13 -minute average of the

time difference between the GPS signal and the local time reference which is

essentially the 1 Hz output from the on-line time code generator. The time

differences typically have associated with them a standard deviation of 5-10

nanoseconds. Each GPS satellite timing signal contains information providing

the predicted difference between that signal and GPS system time, which is

known in terms of UTC(NBS) to within an accuracy of about 50 nanoseconds.

Thus, this monitoring operation provides a convenient way to keep track of the

time code generator outputs relative to UTC(NBS) to an accuracy that is much

better than that of the overall GOES timing system.

The time code generator measurements in terms of Loran-C and GPS are accessed

from Boulder and Ft. Collins several times per week using the normal dial-up

data link to Wallops Island. Adjustments are made as necessary to keep the

- 6.1 -
on-line time code generator within a few microseconds of UTC(NBS) . In

addition, automatic alarm circuits continuously monitor the internal time

differences between pairs of time code generators and generate warnings if any

of these measurements exceed a preset limit (usually about 15 microseconds)

.

Since alarms cause audible warnings to the Wallops Island staff who

immediately contact NBS on a 24-hour-per-day basis, any timing errors are usually corrected promptly. Experience has shown that such errors are unlikely to occur more than once or twice per year.

B. Monitoring of Received GOES Signals Versus UTC(NBS)

The primary means for insuring that the GOES time code signals remain within

specified limits with respect to UTC(NBS) is the continuous monitoring and

measurement of the received signals at several locations having access to a good approximation to UTC(NBS) . At NBS/Boulder signals are received

continuously from both the East and West satellites, using an ensemble of six

or more receivers. The data are recorded on strip chart recorders for easy

visual monitoring and stored in a system of redundant data loggers. The

measurement reference in the Boulder system is one of the clocks in the

UTC(NBS) time scale system, thus providing a direct link to UTC(NBS). Twice

each week the data logger data are analyzed for proper system operation,

plotted as appropriate for permanent records, and then transferred to

redundant computer disk files for archival purposes.

To further insure proper system performance a special time code decoder system

in Boulder continuously monitors and displays all received bits in the

received time code, including position data, DUTl correction, daylight savings

time and leap second status, the transmitted accuracy indicators for each

satellite, the on-line time code generator identifier, and diagnostic

indicators concerning any alarm conditions in the Wallops Island time code

generation system. Finally, a visual display of the 100 Hz clock and data

signal components from several of the monitoring receivers is available as an indicator of local interference conditions and coarse signal parameters.

A smaller version of this monitoring system is also maintained in Ft. Collins

to provide an independent capability for assessing system performance. The

reference for this system is the local UTC time scale used to generate the

transmitted signals for radio stations WWV and WWVB. This local UTC system is

kept synchronized to UTC (NBS) by continuous automatic monitoring of GPS

satellite signals and regular comparisons with the corresponding measurements

being made in terms of UTC(NBS) at Boulder. A special GOES time code monitor

and alarm generator has been designed, constructed, and placed into operation

by the Ft. Collins staff at the radio station site. This system generates an alarm condition if the received time code signal deviates from the local

reference time scale by more than a selected number of microseconds and

remains outside these limits for longer than a selected amount of time. Any

alarm that is generated is interfaced with the station's normal alarmmonitoring system which causes a staff member to be notified of problems on a 24 hour per day basis.

Primarily as an aid in detecting any geographical dependencies that might

creep into the GOES timing system, simple automatic monitoring systems are

- 6.2 -
also maintained in Washington, DC (for GOES/East) and at NBS radio station

WWVH in Hawaii (for GOES/West) . The Washington, DC monitoring data can be

related easily to UTC(NBS) using UTC(USNO) as a transfer standard. The Hawaii

data are measured in terms of the local WWVH UTC time scale system, which is

linked back to UTC(NBS) by regular GPS satellite comparisons.

C . Experience With the Internal Quality Control Mechanisms

Continuous monitoring of the received GOES time code signals has been carried

out in one form or another since the inception of the service in May 1974.

The results show that, for the vast majority of the time, users have had

access to these reference signals at accuracies of better than 1 millisecond

(when corrections are not applied for path delay variations) or 100

microseconds (when corrections for path delay are applied)

.

Keeping the time code generators at Wallops Island within a few microseconds

of UTC(NBS) has not proved to be a problem. The combination of cesiumstandard stability, reliable external checks against Loran-C and GPS, and

redundant automatic alarm systems has served well in this regard. On the rare occasion when a cesium standard or time code generator has failed suddenly, it

has only taken a few minutes to have the Wallops Island station staff

reconfigure the system to use a different on-line time code generator system.

Experience has shown that the major cause for time code deviations exceeding

normal limits is the eclipse operations conducted during 45 -day periods in the

Spring and Fall of each year. With the transfer of time code operations on

one or both GOES satellites to a spare satellite for two hours each day most

users experience either loss of signal or substantial time shifts. Although

NBS began transmitting correct position data (for the spare satellite) during

these eclipse periods a few years ago, many receivers apparently do not

automatically lock on to this satellite and therefore produce relatively large errors. As discussed earlier, however, this problem has apparently been

eliminated as of Fall 1987 due to the use of newer version satellites that do

not require switching to standby spacecraft during eclipse periods.

The next most serious problem has turned out to arise from operations at times

of satellite maneuvers. The limitations in our version of the GTDS program

used to generate the new position predictions that prohibit the updates from

becoming available to the users until the start of the next day after the

maneuver sometimes result in time code errors building up to several hundred

microseconds for several hours after a maneuver. This type of problem occurs

on the average of once every few months. On more infrequent occasions the

post-maneuver predicted orbital elements supplied by NOAA prove inadequate for

the new orbit and time code errors of several hundred microseconds might then

persist for 4-7 days until new tracking data becomes available.

On one or two occasions over the past five years there have been extended

outages of the time code lasting for 1-24 hours due to complete loss of

electrical power at NOAA's Wallops Island facility. This type of occurrence

is beyond our control and, in principle, is very unlikely to reoccur since the

facility is now served by an improved backup electrical power system. As an

- 6.3 -
added precaution, however, the NBS equipment at Wallops Island has been

supplied with its own special battery backup power supply since mid- 1987.

In general, the internal quality control procedures have proven effective and

major changes and additions are not considered necessary. The reliability of

the time code service has been maintained at a level consistent with the other

related NBS services such as WWV, WWVB, and WWVH.

- 6.4 -
GOES SATELLITE TIME CODE DISSEMINATION:

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

7. FUTURE PROJECTIONS

A. Projections for the GOES Satellite System

As of October 1987 the future of the GOES satellite system appears to be

secure until at least the mid-1990' s. This assessment is based on several

current factors. First, NOAA has announced launch schedules and procurement

actions that will provide replacement satellites throughout that time period.

The present GOES/East and GOES/West satellites are relatively recent versions.

NOAA has recently issued a final contract for the design and construction of

the next group of three GOES satellites, which will be GOES-8, 9, and 10.

Those satellites are scheduled to provide the operational services during the

1990-1995 period. Thus, from the point of view of the space segment NOAA has

made a definitive commitment to continue the system for at least 8-10 more

years

.

A second indicator of NOAA's intent to continue the system is the current

upgrade of the ground segment as it applies to the data collection system that

also carries the NBS time code. Approximately, $5,000,000 is being invested

in a major upgrade of the ground support facilities to enable the system to

handle data from many more data collection platforms. The system currently is near saturation with more than 3000 data collection platforms in operation and

a significant expansion in capacity has been proposed, justified, and funded.

Although this upgrade does not directly impact our time code operations, it is a further indication that the overall GOES system is viewed as a valuable,

long-term national resource.

B. Status of Formal NBS /NOAA Agreements

The joint effort involving NBS and NOAA to provide the NBS time code is

formalized by a Memorandum- of -Agreement between the two organizations. It was originated in 1977 and signed by Dr. Ernest Ambler for NBS and Mr. David

Johnson for NOAA. The agreement sets out the general responsibilities of each

organization and states that the agreement remains in effect for a five or ten

year period that can be extended with the agreement of both parties . The

Memorandum- of -Agreement was so extended in 1982 for a five year period. In

August 1987 it was again renewed by both organizations, this time for a ten

year period until 1997.

C . NOAA Satellite Tracking Operations

Earlier in this report it was mentioned that NOAA revised its satellite

tracking procedures about two years ago with some apparently negative impact

on the NBS time code operations. In discontinuing the original trilateration

technique and converting to a less precise angle- tracking method, NOAA has not

been able to provide the same consistent high quality of their orbital

- 7.1 -
elements as previously. As a direct result of these changes in procedures,

NBS degraded its accuracy-performance specification on the time code to 100

microseconds for applications in which the satellite position predictions are used to compute path delay corrections. More recent experience (1985-1987)

has offered some optimism that the current techniques are being further

refined and that the new tracking procedures may not cause as big a problem

for the time code as previously thought. Although much more experience needs

to be accumulated, it seems likely that the current tracking operations will

continue to support a 100 microsecond accuracy specification with a good

possibility of maintaining better than 50 microseconds most of the time.

D . Potential for Improvements to the Time Code Performance

Further improvements to the time code performance are likely to be rather

minor in view of the built-in dependence on critical operations that are the

responsibilities of other organizations. Since the time code operations are a relatively minor aspect of the overall GOES system operation, decisions on

issues such as tracking techniques will continue to be made by NOAA based

largely on only their own requirements. Although NOAA has been extremely

cooperative in many operational aspects of maintaining the time code service,

it is unrealistic to expect that NBS can have significant impact on future

GOES developments.

With respect to the time code system itself there will be a continuing process

of replacing and upgrading our own equipment from time to time as needs and

opportunities arise. The current time code system at Wallops Island is

basically a second-generation system and some ideas for the next generation

equipment are already under consideration. The recent improvement to the

monitoring capabilities through the use of GPS satellites appears to solve

those requirements for as long as the GPS signals remain available to the

civilian sector. Using GPS as a reference for the Wallops Island GOES system

contains a certain aspect of overkill, since GOES does not require the betterthan-100 nanosecond accuracy of GPS. However, this may turn out to be an advantage, because, if the GPS capabilities are intentionally degraded by DOD,

the resulting accuracy will most likely still be sufficient for our needs with

GOES.

In mid- 1987 the sensitivity of the NBS equipment to electrical power outages

at Wallops Island was reduced by installation of a dedicated, separate battery

backup power system. This system can provide electrical power for the NBS

standards, time code generators, and data loggers for several hours in the

event of loss of NOAA's primary electrical power.

One current limitation, the inability of the NBS version of the GTDS program

for satellite position prediction generation to process data for the actual

day of a satellite maneuver, has been previously described. This prevents NBS

from being able to insert updated position data into the time code system

after a maneuver until 0000 UTC on the next day. Extensive efforts have been

made by NBS in the past to isolate and correct the source of this computer

programming problem, but they were unsuccessful. In the future, after the

GOES system satellite configuration becomes more normal with the launch of

new, replacement satellites, we should be able to bypass this problem by

- 7.2 -
accessing and using the satellite ephemeris files generated and maintained by

NOAA in their Suitland, MD computer systems. This system normally contains

post-maneuver data concurrent with the actual satellite maneuver and thus

solves the problem at some slight cost of operational convenience. Some

previous tests of these procedures prior to the partial equipment failures in

GOES -4 and GOES -5 were very encouraging.

All new GOES satellites, starting with GOES-7, should have sufficient on-board

reserve electrical power to carry the normal operations through the two-hour

eclipse periods each day during the Spring and Fall eclipse periods. This

improvement should eliminate one of the main operational inconveniences for some present users, the switching of at least the West time code back and

forth to the spare satellite during eclipse periods.

- 7.3 -

GOES SATELLITE TIME CODE DISSEMINATION:

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

REFERENCES

[1] NBS Publication TFS-602, "NBS time via satellites," available upon

request

.

Hanson, D. W. , Davis, D. D., and Cateora, J. V., "NBS time to the Western

hemisphere by satellite." Radio Science, vol. 14, no. 4, 731-740.

[2] NBS Time and Frequency Bulletin (monthly), available upon request.

[3] Goddard Trajectory Determination System (GTDS) : User's Guide, July, 1975.

Mathematical Theory of the Goddard Trajectory Determination System,

April, 1976.

[4] Beehler, R. E., "GOES satellite time code dissemination," Proc . 14th

Annual Precise Time and Time Interval (PTTI) Applications and Planning

Meeting, December 1982, 57-87.

- R.l -
NBS-114A (REV. 2-8C) U.S. DEPT. OF COMM.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

SHEET (See instructions)

1. PUBLICATION OR

REPORT NO.

NBS/SP-250/30

2. Performing Organ. Report No. 3. Publication Date January 1988

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

NBS Measurement Services:

GOES SATELLITE TIME CODE DISSEMINATION: DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

5. AUTHOR(S)

Roger E. Beehler, Dick Davis, and John B. Milton

6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION (If joint or other than NBS, see instructions)

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

GAITHERSBURG, MD 20899

7. Contract/Grant No.

8. Type of Report & Period Covered

Final

9. SPONSORING ORGANIZATION NAME AND COMPLETE ADDRESS (Street. City. State, ZIP)

Same as item 6

10. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 87-619906

] Document describes a computer program; SF-185, FlPS Software Summary, is attached.

11. ABSTRACT (A 200-word or less factual summary of most significant information. If document includes a significant

bibliography or literature survey, mention it here)

This document describes the GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental

Satellite) satellite time code dissemination system operated by NBS to provide

time and frequency users with an NBS traceable reference signal for

calibration and general timekeeping applications. The discussion includes the

various subsystems to generate, monitor, and verify the timing signals located

at NBS/Boulder, NOAA/Wal lops Island, VA, NBS/ Ft . Collins, CO, and several

other dispersed sites. Some of the main operational procedures used in

providing a close approximation to UTC(NBS) at any user's location in the

Western hemisphere are described, along with an analysis of the uncertainties

associated with the GOES time code generation, transmission through the

satellite path, and reception at the user's site. Techniques and facilities

used to maintain internal quality control are also described.

12. KEY WORDS (Six to twelve entries; alphabetical order; capitalize only proper names; and separate key words by semicolon s) calibration; frequency; GOES satellites; satellite; standards; time; time code;

time dissemination

13. AVAILABILITY

|KXj Unlimited For Official Distribution. Do Not Release to NTIS

^Xj Order From Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

r~J Order From National Technical Information Service (NTIS), Springfield, VA. 22161

14. NO. OF

PRINTED PAGES

49

15. Price

USCOMM-DC 6043-P80

S-U.S. Government Printing Office : 1988 - 201 -5 97/72503


THE SP 250 SERIES ON NBS MEASUREMENT SERVICES*

SP 250-1 Spectral Radiance Calibrations 003-003-02792 $3.50

SP 250-2 Far Ultraviolet Detector Standards 003-003-02810-0 $4.25

SP 250-3 Radiometric Standards in the Vacuum

Ultraviolet 003-003-02806-1 $6.50

SP 250-4 Frlcke Dosimetry in High-Energy Electron Beams

003-003-02816-9 $2.75

SP 250-5 Alpha-Particle Calibrations

SP 250-6 Regular Spectral Transmittance 003-003-02805-3 $3.25

SP 250-7 Radiance Temperature Calibrations 003-003-02827-4 $2.25

SP 250-8 Spectral Reflectance 003-003-02812-6 $7.00

SP 250-9 Calibration of Beta-Particle-Emttting

Ophthalmic Applicators

003-003-02817-7 $2.00

SP 250-15 Photometric Calibrations

SP 250-16 Calibration of X-Ray and Gamma- Ray

Measuring Instruments

SP 250-17 The NBS Photodetector Spectral Response

Calibration Transfer Program

SP 250-18 Neutron Source Strength Calibrations

SP 250-19 Calibration of Gamma-Ray-Emitting

Brachytherapy Sources

SP 250-20 Spectral Irradlance Calibrations 003-003-02829-1 $5.50

SP 250-21 Calibration of Beta-Particle Radiation Instrumentation

SP 250-22 Platinum Resistance Thermometer

Calibrations 003-003-02831-2 $17.00

SP 250-23 Liquid-in-Glass Thermometer

Calibration Service

SP 250-10 Radioactivity Calibrations with the "Air" Gamma Ionization Chamber, and Other

Radioactivity Calibration Capabilities

003-003-O2824-0 $2.25

SP 250-1 1 Dosimetry for High-Dose Applications

SP 250-12 Neutron Personnel Dosimetry

003-003-O2811-8 $2.50

SP 250-13 Activation Foil Irradiation with Californium

Fission Sources

SP 250-14 Activation Foil Irradiation by Reactor Cavity

Fission Sources

SP 250-24 Standard Cell Calibrations 003-003-02825-8 $2.75

SP 250-25 Calibration Service for Inductive Voltage Dividers

SP 250-26 Phase Angle Calibrations

SP 250-27 AC-DC Difference Calibrations

SP 250-28 Solid-State DC Voltage Standard Calibrations

SP 250-29 Traceable Frequency Calibrations

SP 250-30 GOES Satellite Time Code Dissemination:

Description and Operation

* Those entries containing a stock number (003-003 ) and price can be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. GPO will accept checks, money orders, VISA, and Mastercharge. For more information, or to place an order, call (202) 783-3238. Be sure to use the stock number in all orders. Titles without stock numbers are in preparation.
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Official Business

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