Survivable Timing Capability for a Worldwide Military Digital Communications Systems

The evolving worldwide digital defense communications system (DCS) must be both more survivable and more responsive to the needs of its users than the analog system that it will replace. System timing problems not encountered in analog systems could prevent this. However, because of the availability of microprocessors, the survivability of system timing as a serious potential future problem for the DCS can be virtually eliminated; and it can be done economically. Important timing considerations for a wartime military digital communications system are discussed, and a description of a timing system that will economically satisfy survivability requirements is presented.