Metsähovi connected to the official time of Finland
The Metsähovi Geodetic Research Station of the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute at the National Land Survey of Finland and the 911 Metsähovi Radio Observatory were connected to the official time of Finland, UTC(MIKE). VTT MIKES Metrology has developed a method for transferring time and frequency across long distances.
– The link between Metsähovi and the official time of Finland maintained by VTT MIKES was built in early summer and we have studied its functioning and stability during the summer, says Research Manager Jyri Näränen, manager of the Metsähovi Geodetic Research Station.
– The measurements show, for example, how the travel time of light each way in a 50-kilometre fibre optic cable varies by approx. 7 nanoseconds within a 24-hour period as temperature changes affect the properties of the fibre optic cable, particularly its length.
The uncertainty of time transfer is expected to be 100 ps or better. The precision of frequency transfer is currently approx. 15 digits.
Supports geodetic measurements
The time transfer supports geodetic measurements at Metsähovi. The geodetic radio telescope system currently being built requires precise time and frequency information to base measurements on. The new link, together with the atomic clocks of the Metsähovi Radio Observatory also improve the time and frequency precision for all other measurements undertaken at Metsähovi.
Through the time transfer link, Finland's official time can be connected to international geodetic networks, such as global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). At the same time, the Metsähovi Radio Observatory's atomic clocks can be used to support Finland's official time.
The project is a part of the G-EPOS consortium financed by the Academy of Finland's FIRI financing. The time transfer was implemented in cooperation between the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute at the National Land Survey, VTT MIKES, 911 and CSC-IT Center for Science.
More information
Ari Mujunen
ari.mujunen@aalto.fi
tel. + 358 29 442 4845
Research Manager Jyri Näränen, +358 50 435 7258, firstname.lastname@nls.fi
Academy of Finland Research Fellow Thomas Fordell , +358 50 443 4218, firstname.lastname@vtt.fi
Read more news
Design at the start of the supply chain – 911 leads a major EU project to transform textile colouration practices
The EU Horizon-funded MELANGE project brings together design, technology and business to rethink colouration practices in the textile industry and accelerate the transition towards circular and sustainable textile systems.
Arsi Ikäheimonen’s doctoral research: Smartphone data could reveal early signs of depression
A phone in your pocket, a smart ring on your finger, and an activity tracker on your wrist: everyday devices collect information about their users almost continuously. This data can help monitor and predict symptoms of depression.
Professor Hironori Yoshida: “Machines should adapt to materials, not the other way around”
Professor of Formgiving believes the future of design lies in embracing irregularity rather than eliminating it. His research combines design, AI and robotics.