Chronos - RETINA - Remote Element Timing and Intra-Network Analysis

The RETINA project addresses one of the most significant technological challenges resulting
from the evolution to 4G mobile networks. In order for evolving 4G networks to operate
efficiently and deliver a step-change in user experience, the transport of accurate time (to
within 500 nanoseconds) as well as stable timing will be absolutely critical, right to the edge
of the network at the macro cell sites as well as “Small Cell” sites.
There are two technologies that are capable of delivering time and timing to the edge of a
telecom network. These are Precision Time Protocol (PTP), now well standardised from
within the ITU, and the Global Positioning System (GPS). Both have significant
vulnerabilities. Time via PTP is degraded by variations in the network path and architecture,
and GPS time is susceptible to Jamming and Spoofing.
RETINA will develop a pre-production prototype small form factor pluggable (SFP) Assisted
GPS (pGPS) to use in field trials to provide remote time stamps for network delay timing
analysis in 4G networks. The pGPS unit will be able to provide GPS time in semi indoor
locations assisted with remote Ephemeris data communicated in the PTP overhead. This in
turn will provide GPS time into an SFP PTP boundary clock (pBC) at a macro base station or
small cell site in a mobile network. The time stamped return PTP packets will be analysed
with industry standard metrics by a software mediation application in the core of the network
which must also be developed within RETINA. The overall system once developed will be
run in prototype mode for 6 months within the project to test carrier-class reliability for
possible deployment in national 4G mobile networks.
Being first to market with this capability offers significant global sales potential with the
knock-on benefits to UK PLC.