NlST TIME AND FREQUENCY BULLETIN 

NISTIR 507 1-6 

NO. 487 JUNE 1998 

1. GENERAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION ............................................ 2 

2. TIME SCALE INFORMATION ..................................................... 2 

3. UTI CORRECTIONS AND LEAP SECOND ADJUSTMENTS ................................ 2 

4. PHASE DEVIATIONS FOR WWVB AND LORAN-C ....................................... 4 

5. GOES TIME CODE INFORMATION ................................................. 5 

6. BROADCAST OUTAGES OVER FIVE MINUTES AND WWVB 

PHASEPERTURBATIONS ....................................................... 5 

7. NOTES ON NlST TIME SCALES AND PRiMARY STANDARDS .............................. 5 

8. BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................... 5 

9. SPECIALANNOUNCEMENTS .................................................... 7 

This bulletin is published monthly. Address correspondence to: 

Gwen E. Bennett, Editor 

Time and Frequency Division 

National Institute of Standards and Technology 

325 Broadway 

Boulder, CO 80303-3328 

(303) 497-3295 

NOTE TO SUBSCRIBERS: Please include your address label (or a copy) 

with any correspondence regarding this bulletin. 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, William M. Daley, Secretary 

TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATION, Mary L. Good, Under Secretary for Technology 

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY, Robert Hebner, Acting Deputy Director 

-1 - 
1. GENERAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION 

MAY 1998 

BlPM 

CClR 

cs 

GOES 

GPS 

IERS 

LORAN 

MC 

MJD 

NVLAP 

NIST 

NOAA 

SI 

TA 

TAI 

USNO 

UTC 

VLF 

MJD UTI - UTC(NIST) UTC(USN0,MC) - UTC(N IST) 

( 5* ms) (220 ns) 

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED IN THIS BULLETIN 

Bureau International des Poids et Mesures 

International Radio Consultative Committee 

Cesium standard 

Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 

Global Positioning System 

International Earth Rotation Service 

Long Range Navigation 

Master Clock 

Modified Julian Date 

National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program 

National Institute of Standards & Technology 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ns - nanosecond 

International System of Units /Js - microsecond 

Atomic Time ms - millisecond 

International Atomic Time S - second 

United States Naval Observatory min - minute 

Coordinated Universal Time 

very low frequency 

2. TIME SCALE INFORMATION 

The values listed below are based on data from the IERS, the USNO, and NIST. The UTC(USN0,MC) - UTC(NIST1 

values are averaged measurements from up to 10 GPS satellites (see bibliography on page 5). UTC-UTC(NIST1 data are 

on page 3. 

0000 HOURS COORDINATED UNIVERSAL TIME 

I I I 

7 50940 -32 ms 11 ns 

14 50947 -44 ms 10 ns 

21 50954 -56 ms 12 ns 

28 50961 -70 ms 13 ns 

3. UTI CORRECTIONS AND LEAP SECOND ADJUSTMENTS 

The master clock pulses used by the WWV, WWVH, WWVB, and GOES time code transmissions are referenced to the 

UTC(NIST1 time scale. Occasionally, 1 s is added to the UTC time scale. This second is called a leap second. Its purpose 

is to keep the UTC time scale within 50.9 s of the UTI astronomical time scale, which changes slightly due to variations 

in the rotation of the Earth. 

Positive leap seconds, beginning at 23 h 59 min 60 s UTC and ending at 0 h 0 min 0 s UTC, were inserted in the UTC 

timescale on 30 June 1972, 1981 -1 983, 1985, 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1997, and on 31 December 1972-1 979, 1987. 

1989, 1990, and 1995. 

The use of leap seconds ensures that UTI - UTC will always be held within kO.9 s. The current value of UTI - UTC 

is called the DUTI correction. DUTl corrections are broadcast by WWV, WWVH, WWVB, and GOES and are printed below. 

These corrections may be added to received UTC time signals in order to obtain UT1 . 

+ 0.1 s beginning 0000 UTC 19 February 1998 

+O.O s beginning 0000 UTC 26 March 1998 

-0.1 s beginning 0000 UTC 07 May 1998 

DUTI = UTI - UTC = 

-2- 
The deviation of UTC(NIST) from UTC has been less than +/- 100 ns since July 6, 1994. The table below shows values of UTC - 

UTC(NIST) as supplied by the BIPM in Circular T for the most recent 350 day period in which data are available. Data are given 

at ten day intervals. Five day interval data are available in Circular T. 

OOOO Hours Coordinated Universal Time 

DATE MJD UTC-UTC(NIST) 

May 11, 1997 50579 -7 

May 21, 1997 50589 -4 

May 31, 1997 50599 -6 

Jun 10, 1997 50609 -5 

Jun20, 1997 506 19 -3 

Jun 30, 1997 50629 0 

Jul 10, 1997 50639 8 

Jul20, 1997 50649 16 

JuI 30, 1997 50659 18 

Aug 9, 1997 50669 21 

Aug 19, 1997 50679 26 

Aug 29, 1997 50689 29 

Sep. 8, 1997 50699 30 

Sep. 18, 1997 50709 31 

Sep. 28, 1997 50719 31 

Oct. 8, 1997 50729 29 

Oct. 18, 1997 50739 23 

Oct. 28, 1997 50749 16 

Nov. 7, 1997 50759 8 

Nov. 17, 1997 50769 3 

Nov. 27, 1997 50779 1 

Dec. 7, 1997 50789 2 

Dec. 17, 1997 50799 -1 

Dec. 27, 1997 50809 3 

Jan. 6, 1998 50819 2 

Jan. 16. 1998 50829 2 

Jan. 26, 1998 50839 6 

i Feb. 5, 1998 50849 7 

Feb. 15, 1998 50859 11 

Feb. 25, 1998 50869 15 

Mar 7, 1998 50879 18 

Mar 17, 1998 50889 22 

Mar 27, 1998 50899 25 

Apr 6, 1998 50909 25 

Apr 16, 1998 509 19 26 

Apr 26, 1998 50929 27 

-3- 
4. PHASE DEVIATIONS FOR WWVB AND LORAN-C 

WWVB - The values shown for WWVB are the time difference between the time markers of the UTC(NIST) time 

scale and the first positive-going zero voltage crossover measured at the transmitting antenna. The 

uncertainty of the individual measurements is k0.5 ps. The values listed are for 1300 UTC. 

LORAN-C - The values shown for Loran-C represent the daily accumulated phase shift (in ns). The phase shift is 

measured by comparing the output of a Loran receiver to the UTC(NIST1 time scale for a period of 24 h. 

If data were not recorded on a particular day, the symbol (-1 is printed. 

The master stations monitored are Dana, IN (8970) and Fallon, NV (9940). The monitoring is done from 

the NlST laboratories in Boulder, CO. 

Note: The values shown for Loran-C are in nanoseconds. 

UTC(NIST1-WWVB (60 kHZl UTC(NIST1 - LORAN PHASE lnsl 

ANTENNA PHASE LORAN-C (DANA) LORAN-C (FALLONI 

DATE MJD Ivs) (8970) (9940) 

5/01 198 50934 5.67 +I49 -51 

5/02/98 50935 5.68 - 54 + 638 

5/03/98 50936 5.68 -446 -457 

5/04/98 50937 5.70 -371 + 49 

5LO';/qn hnqm 5 68 - + 713 

5 106 I98 50939 5.67 +195 +102 

5/07/98 50940 5.65 + 96 +394 

5/08/98 50941 5.64 + 325 - 306 

5/09/98 50942 5.66 +219 + 349 

A 5nqA? 5 66 745 - 

511 1 I98 50944 5.67 - 93 +41 

511 2/98 50945 5.57 -21 -112 

511 3/98 50946 5.75 + 47 + 242 

511 4/98 50947 5.75 + 67 -470 

5LlG/Q8 5nqA8 5 77 + 565 + A36 

511 6/98 50949 5.72 -132 + 26 

5/17/98 50950 5.72 -83 + 58 

511 8/98 50951 5.72 +459 -166 

511 9/98 50952 5.68 + 457 -95 

y2nlqn w-wi? 5 r7 - 

5/21/98 50954 5.67 -103 +31 

- 

5/22/98 50955 5.68 -587 -138 

5/23/98 50956 5.67 -65 -51 

5/24/98 50957 5.65 -721 + 262 

qnqw 5 65 5AA - 

5/26/98 50959 5.65 -330 - 244 

5/27/98 50960 5.65 +712 -6 

5/28/98 50961 5.65 -338 + 300 

5/29/98 50962 5.62 +594 -636 

5130198 50963 5.62 -116 -126 

513 1/98 50964 (4 + 452 +141 

-4- 
5. GOES TIME CODE INFORMATION 

Station 

WWVB 

wwv 

A. TIME CODE PERFORMANCE (1-31 May 1998) 

MAY MJD Began Ended Freq. MAY MJD Began End 

1998 UTC UTC 1998 UTC UTC 

5/12 50945 1400 1930 All fres. 

GOES/East: 

WWVH 

Currently using the GOES-8 satellite at 75" west longitude. Timing uncertainty is k 100 ps with 

respect to UTC(NIST). 

I 

A GOES/East stationkeeping maneuver was performed on May 19, 1998 at about 2040 UTC. 

The GOES/East time code was unavailable for most of the period between 1400 and 1600 UTC on 

June 1, 1998. 

GOESWest: 

Currently using the GOES-9 satellite at 135" west longitude. Timing uncertainty is + 100 ps with 

respect to UTC(NIST). 

NOTE: Station operating at reduced power 21 May 1998 from 1530 to 1830. 

NOTES ON NET TIME SCALE AND PRIMARY STANDARDS 

NBS-6, which served as the U.S. primary standard from 1975 through 1992, has been replaced by NIST-7. an optically 

pumped cesium-beam standard. The uncertainty of the new standard is currently 1 part in 1 O14. 

TA(NIST) was to provide a flywheel that realized our best estimate of the SI second between calibrations of our primary 

frequency standard, but the algorithm we have been using is not optimum for this purpose and is particularly unsuited to 

our new higher-accuracy environment. We therefore stopped computing TA(NIST) on 31 October 1993. We are 

studying alternate methods for incorporating the rate accuracy of NIST-7 into our time-scale algorithm, but no changes 

are likely until a thorough evaluation of the new procedure has been completed. 

running scale whose frequency is maintained as constant as possible by choosing the optimum weight for each clock that 

contributes to the computation. 

published by the BlPM in its Circular T. Changes in the steering frequency will be made only at 0000 UTC on the first 

day of any month, and the change in frequency in any month is limited to +2 ns/day. The frequency of UTC(NIST1 is 

kept as stable as possible at other times. 

parameters that we use to generate UTC(NIST) in real-time are therefore based on an extrapolation of UTC from the most 

recent data available. 

8. BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Allan, D.W.; Hellwig, H.; and Glaze, D.J., "An accuracy algorithm for an atomic time scale," Metrologia, V01.11, No.3, 

Allan, D.W. and Weiss, M.A., "Accurate time and frequency transfer during common view of a GPS satellite," Proc. 34th 

Allan, D.W. and Barnes, J.A., "Optimal time and frequency using GPS signals," Proc. 36th Annual Symposium on 

Drullinger, R.E.; Glaze, D.J.; Lowe, J.P.; and Shirley, J.H., "The NlST optically pumped cesium frequency standard," IEEE 

Glaze, D.J.; Hellwig, H.; Allan, D.W.; and Jarvis, S., "NBS-4 and NBS-6: The NlST primary frequency standards," 

Wineland, D.J.; Allan, D.W.; Glaze, D.J.; Hellwig, H.; and Jarvis, S., "Results on limitations in primary cesium standard 

Primary frequency standards developed and maintained by NlST are used to provide accuracy (rate) input to the BIPM. 

Since 1981, TA(NIST) has been computed retrospectively each month using a Kalman algorithm. The purpose of 

The AT1 scale is run in real time using data from an ensemble of cesium standards and hydrogen masers. It is a freeUTC(NIST) is generated as an offset from our real-time scale AT1 . It is steered in frequency towards UTC using data 

UTC is generated at the BlPM using a post-processed time-scale algorithm and is not available in real-time. The 

pp.133-138 (September 1975). 

Annual Symposium on Frequency Control, p.334 (1 980). 

Frequency Control, p.378 (1 982). 

Trans. Instrum. Meas., IM-40, 162-1 64 (1 991 1. 

Metrologia, Vo1.13, pp.17-28 (1 977). 

operation," IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas., IM-25, pp.453-458 (December 1976). 

-5- 
Table 7.1 is a list of the parameters that are used to define UTC(N1ST) with respect to our real-time scale AT1. To find the 

value of UTC(NIST) - AT1 at any time T (expressed as a Modified Julian Day, including a fraction if needed), the appropriate 

equation to use is the one for which the desired T is greater than or equal to the entry in the To column and less than the 

entry in the last column. The values of xis, x, and y for that month are then used in the equation below to find the desired 

value. The parameters x and y represent the offset in time and in frequency, respectively, between UTC(N1ST) and AT1 ; 

the parameter xlS is the number of leap seconds applied to both UTC(N1ST) and UTC as specified by the IERS. Leap seconds 

are not applied to AT1 . 

Table 7.1 

UTC(N1ST) - AT1 = xlS i- x + y.(T - To) 

*Provisional rate 

+Note rate change in mid-month 

-6- 
9. SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS 

TRACEABLE FREQUENCY CALIBRATIONS 

(Now NVLAP Certified) 

Anyone needing traceable frequency calibrations can get them by subscribing to the NlST Frequency 

Measurement and Analysis Service. This service is offered on a lease basis by NlST to provide an easy and 

inexpensive means to obtain traceability of a laboratory main oscillator and, in addition, to calibrate other devices 

in the lab. This service has been designed for ease of operation and as a practical lab calibration tool. 

All the equipment and software needed are provided by NIST. Users must provide their own oscillator(s) 

and an ordinary telephone line so that NlST can access the system by modem. A total of four oscillators can be 

calibrated at the same time. Radio signals from either Loran-C or GPS satellite are used. Results for either are at 

about the same accuracy. 

The calibration data are displayed in color and a graph is plotted daily for each oscillator connected. Data 

are also stored on disk. The user can call up any of the data and view them onscreen or in the form of plots. Many 

months of data can be plotted. 

The system plots are easy to read and understand. The system manual is written for easy understanding 

and the NlST staff is available by telephone to assist. The modem connection allows NlST to access the data and 

to prepare a monthly traceability report which is mailed to the user. 

Frequency sources of any accuracy can be calibrated. The FMAS is particularly useful at the highest levels 

of performance. This is because each user of the system contributes information and calibration data for the others. 

If an uncertainty arises, it is possible for NlST to call by modem to another user nearby. In this way problems in 

data interpretation can be resolved. 

NVLAP certification requirements for frequency measurement are met by following the NIST-FMAS 

operating manual. This service does not eliminate the NVLAP audits but, when installed and operated per the NlST 

guidelines, audit requirements are easily met. 

NlST retains title to the equipment and supplies any needed system spares. Equipment that fails is replaced 

by overnight shipment. Training for use of the system is available if requested by the user. 

The NlST Frequency Measurement and Analysis Service provides a complete solution to nearly all 

frequency measurement and calibration problems. For a free information package, please call Michael Lombardi 

at (303) 497-321 2, or write to: Michael Lombardi, NIST, Division 847, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80303. 

WWVB 60 kHz UPGRADE INFORMATION 

As of 19 December, WWVB has been radiating 23 kilowatts of power, up from the previous value of 

10 kilowatts. Due to mechanical problems associated with antenna tuning, the radiated power may be reduced 

on rare occasions to 10 kilowatts for periods of a few hours. 

You can obtain current information about WWVB on the Internet at 

http:llwww .boulder.nist.govltirnefreqlwwvstatus.htrn 

GPS WEEK 1024 ROLLOVER 

GPS System Time will rollover at midnight 21 -22 August 1999. The GPS Week Number field has a 

maximum value of 1023, so at the end of week 1023 the GPS week number will rollover to zero. Once the rollover 

has occurred it is the responsibility of the user (i.e., user equipment or software) to account for the previous 1024 

weeks. Some receivers may display inaccurate data information or calculate incorrect navigation solutions. Please 

contact the manufacturer of your GPS receiver to determine if you will be affected by the GPS week number 

rollover. For more information try the following web sites: 

http:Iltycho.usno.navy.millgps-week.html or http:Ilwww.navcen.uscg.rnil/gpsly2kl 

-7-