eLoran timing in New York
Back-up timing for the New York Stock Exchange has been successfully demonstrated using eLoran signals.
The Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has successfully demonstrated the use of eLoran as a precision-timing resource for financial transactions at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Currently, timing is dependent on GPS.
The DHS, US Coast Guard, UrsaNav Inc and Harris Corporation have been studying eLoran through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRDA) for applicability in provide timing information for critical infrastructure applications. The NYSE demonstration was hosted by Juniper Networks on 19 April; it was presented to technical representatives from the financial services, energy and communication sectors.
The eLoran's 100 kHz high-power transmissions, broadcasted from ground-based antennas, can penetrate buildings and provide precision timing indoors and throughout urban environments. GPS transmissions, on the other hand, are unusable indoors and - being very weak - are vulnerable to disruption.
The DHS Under Secretary for Science and Technology explains: 'Accurate position, navigation and timing is necessary for the function and integrity of many critical infrastructure sectors, such as the electric grid, communication networks and financial institutions. Ensuring the continuous and uninterrupted availability of critical information ensures our national security.'
The DHS Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection adds: 'We are constantly working with critical infrastructure partners like the financial sector to help build their capabilities and resilience to a variety of hazards, including space weather and other cyber or physical threats to the system’s continuity.'
The S&T Programme Manager for the project concludes: 'During the technology demonstration inside the NYSE building, we were able to not only provide signals indoors but also provide timing information to within 30 nanoseconds of our UTC reference.'
Europe has ceased its eLoran transmissions with the exception of UK, which continues to broadcast from Anthorn, Cumbria.
Details from the DHS link below . .