Services
Knowledge
With the wisdom distilled from over a 1000 installs, Chronos' knowledge in the field of telecom network synchronisation is second to none. Blend in Chris Farrow, Technical Services Manager, who has worked with Marconi’s System X National Synchronisation Subsystem (NSS) during the 90's, with Charles Curry founder and MD with over 30 years experience in sync and timing to make a formidable team. We relish the challenges and opportunities created by telecom network sync problems.
Chronos provides a wide range of equipment training classes for users, network planners and operators of SSUs and GPS timing products. Beyond this is the Synchronisation MasterClass - delivered regularly to over 500 sync professionals since 1999, both as a public and private class in many different countries. The Sync MasterClass is a two day event with a non-commercial, pure knowledge bias to bring everyone from technician to strategic network planner up to speed with the latest sync issues and rules.
Beyond the knowledge teaching is the testing consultancy - The Chronos Sync Audit® is a bespoke testing service aimed at trouble shooting sync problems quickly and effectively and providing a solution going forward which will ensure they do not reoccur. In addition Chronos has performed Strategic Sync Testing Consultancy to evaluate products and services to ensure that they are fit for purpose or perform to network requirements. Most recently, Chronos has launched the Next Generation Network Sync Testing Consultancy, aimed at manufacturers, users and network operators who will be providing or connecting equipment or services impacted by poor sync to the next generation of packet based telecom networks.
Consultancy
Consultancy
Chronos can field arguably the most experienced team in the world for sync & timing knowledge. We can draw on the experience of significant experts in this specialist field, we relish any challenge and we have never failed to deliver comprehensive advice and value creating knowledge transfer to our clients as evidenced by these endorsements.
The team includes:
- Charles Curry Managing Director who has been selling time and frequency products since the mid 70s and sold his first Cesium for PRC work in 1980
- Chris Farrow Technical Manager, who when with Marconi was involved with System X National Synchronisation Subsystem (NSS) and subsequent sync upgrade
- Billy Marshall Sales Support Engineer & Telecom Products Trainer - has over 10 years technical experience with Timing and Synchronisation systems and currently provides technical knowledge to the Sales Team and delivers both internal and customer training
- Clive Wright Sales Manager and has been installing and selling sync solutions for over 10 years and prior to Chronos worked for Symmetricom
- Chris Roberts Business Development Manager who when with Newbridge instigated a corporate sync back-office knowledge Programme
- Steve Newcombe Account Manager who has built a successful manufacturing business, and a service and support organisation for enterprise NTP. Has conducted research into the remote management of telecommunications systems
- Calum Dalmey Technical Manager, brings over 10 years product marketing experience in the telecoms and military markets
- Steve Wells Account Manager who brings over 11 years network design engineering and timing and sync sales experience from Cable & Wireless and Symmetricom
- Andy Proctor Divisional Manager GNSS Applications & Solutions, has worked in the GNSS industry for over 10 years following a career in the UK Military, and has been involved in defining the standards for A-GPS technology and setting up GNSS testing and integration facilities in many market sectors, including Military, Telecom and Automotive. Andy has also conducted research into best practice in Sales and Business Development
- John Lyons Engineering and Projects Manager - when with Marconi Communications in the 90’s focused on network engineering and operations and has managed the installation of over 1000 GPS and SSU systems
General
- Next Generation Sync advice, solutions, knowledge and the convergence of time and timing
- Strategic Advice on future needs for synchronisation
- Sync Audits™ - featuring: data collection, analysis, & reporting
- Conference – ITSF and WSTS steering group membership, chairing and speaking
- UK Government KTN – participation in the UK DTi Knowledge Transfer Network on location and timing steering group
- Product Performance evaluation testing and design advice
- Design and Planning of synchronisation networks for classic SDH and new NGN architecture
- Workshops - tailored to specific needs
- Long term Sync Monitoring service (no capital purchase)
Mobile and Fixed Line Operators
- Mobile Operators - independent proof that your backhaul links are of acceptable quality. Drive up QOS
- Fixed Line Operators - confirmation your infrastructure is engineered on firm foundations. Sync is a differentiator
- All Operators - trusted advisor for anything "sync". We act as an impartial third party when bandwidth agreements are signed
- KPIs and SLAs - Advice on managing Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and Service Level Agreements (SLA)
Product Manufacturers/SIs
- Prove your products are fit for purpose for Next Generation Network interoperability
- Prove your products are performing to the relevant Standards
- Cost-reduce your product while still maintaining satisfactory sync performance
- Choose the right synchronisation features for your next product development
- Implement your own sync test environment to improve product cost and quality
Abbreviations
Abbreviations
Plenty of abbreviations to help you comprehend the specialist synchronisation field. Do you know what "SRTS" is and why you need a PRC at both ends for it to work? What about "BITS" and "SSU"? Scan these abbreviations and learn the relevant ones. Enjoy the feeling of acronym overload. If you really want to get the knowledge then enroll in a Sync MasterClass.
See if you can spot the spoof & tongue-in-cheek entries. Email the webmaster with all 8 (3 here and 5 in Definitions and each month we will draw a winner. If you are the lucky winner you will receive a Chronos Delegate Bag dispatched to wherever you are in the world.
Remember, if you don't see an abbreviation that you think is relevant, give us a shout and we will add it in... and if you can't find it here, you will probably find it at Wikipedia!
Definitions
Definitions
Plenty of definitions to help you through the synchronisation minefield. Do you know what "Stressed Operation" is - apart from having to get the job done in half the time that is necessary to to do it effectively!
What about "PRC Autonomy Period"? Cruise the definitions and learn the key terms. If you really want to get the knowledge then enroll in a Chronos Synchronisation MasterClass.
Remember, if you don't see one you need, give us a shout and we will add it in... and if you can't find it here, you will probably find it at Wikipedia!
Standards
Standards
These are the main Standards which relate to synchronisation of telecom networks. The move to next generation network (NGN) technology has meant that new Standards must evolve. ITU Study Group 15/Q13 is working on a number of new Standards for packet based network synchronisation as are the IEEE with a new PTP Standard - 1588-2008 and the IETF with the TICTOC BOF. If you have any questions about any of these standards, please give us a call, we are monitoring developments very closely and we maintain contact with key editors and working groups.
ITU-T Standards & Recommendations
Chronos is an associate member of the ITU-T Study Group 15, Question 13 - Network Synchronisation & Time Distribution Performance.