Global Positioning System Timing Criticality Assessment Preliminary Performance Results

Precision timing and time interval (PTTI) capabilities are becoming more commonplace throughout the world. The increasing demand for and use of precise time comes with a potentially increasing risk of over-reliance on a single timing source. In addition, many precise time applications are considered "critical," in that service disruption could result in severe consequences. The Global Positioning System (GPS) provides PTTI services that meet or exceed most user requirements, at increasingly lower cost. It is important to ensure that critical PTTI services are maintained during periods of disruption or loss of the GPS signal. This paper presents key findings, conclusions, and recommendations from a Timing Criticality analysis of the impact of loss of GPS time and frequency on important sectors of U.S. society. The focus in this paper is on civil and commercial sectors, including telecommunications and electric power. The goal of the analysis was to assess the consequences of disruption of GPS time on applications critical to the safety, security or economic well-being of the United States. The corollary goal was to determine the benefits and costs of backup systems − including modernized Loran − that mitigate the impact of the GPS disruption.