A Scheme to Generate NavIC-Based IRIG-B Signal for Strategic Applications

Time Synchronization is an essential application of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Inter-Range Instrumentation Group (IRIG) is a popular and widely used time code signal used in civilian and military infrastructure for precise time synchronization among sub-systems. Commercial IRIG time code generators currently use GPS signals as the time source. Typically, for the Indian strategic applications, an alternative timing solution based on NavIC, India's satellite-based navigation system, would be of interest from a strategic viewpoint. This work proposes a novel scheme to generate an IRIG-B signal based on NavIC time, and the achieved implementation level is discussed. This work, for the first time, describes the timing performance of the Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWaP-C) efficient NavIC modules (SWaP-C GNSS modules) through direct comparison of the hardware time output with standard time scale, UTC(NPLI). The work would be necessary for Indian strategic applications to reduce the dependence on foreign infrastructure and services for critical applications like those for the test range applications. The solution would also be helpful for Indian civilian timing users.