L3-CDH-DIST-SYNC
ESSENTIAL
COMMAND CONTROL
Level 3 · software
Distributed Clock Synchronization
Network Time Protocol for Distributed Nodes
Time synchronization maintaining coherent timestamps across all distributed processing nodes
Purpose
Time synchronization maintaining coherent timestamps across all distributed processing nodes
Context
Child of L2-CDH-DIST
Principles
- ▸IEEE 1588 PTP provides sub-microsecond synchronization over Ethernet networks
- ▸SpaceWire time-code distribution provides simple time distribution
- ▸GPS-independent time source from ultra-stable oscillator on Ark
- ▸Time stamping at sensor digitization ensures accurate temporal correlation
Typical implementations
- ▸IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol implementations
- ▸SpaceWire time-code distribution (ECSS standard)
- ▸GPS-disciplined oscillator systems (adapted for lunar without GPS)
Lunar considerations
- ▸No GPS on Moon - must use local time reference from Ark master clock
- ▸Time accuracy affects sensor fusion and coordinated robotic operations
- ▸Time drift of distributed oscillators must be periodically corrected
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Time synchronization maintaining coherent timestamps across all distributed processing nodes |
Interfaces
Provides
- Synchronized timestamps for all distributed data
Requires
- Master time reference from ultra-stable oscillator
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "Distributed Clock Synchronization" (L3-CDH-DIST-SYNC). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L3-CDH-DIST-SYNC
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.