VT Communications, part of VT Group plc has been awarded the contract to provide the National Physical Laboratorys (NPLs) Radio Frequency Time Signal Service commencing on 1st April 2007. This prestigious 10 year contract with NPL will see VT Communications build new highly resilient transmission infrastructure to deliver the Time Service from its Anthorn transmission facility in Cumbria, UK.
Utilising its extensive experience in delivering similar LF (low frequency) infrastructure projects, VT Communications is well placed to deliver this critical service, which is transmitted at 60Hz and provides both a time and frequency standard.
The proposed solution offered by VT Communications will see the introduction of new time code generation equipment, a remote control and monitoring system as well as a new LF transmitter, which will be installed and integrated at the Anthorn transmission facility. The site at Anthorn will provide NPL with infrastructure to accommodate the service and its geographical positioning provides greater coverage of the entire UK. The VT Communications solution will ensure that the maintenance schedule is minimised, reducing the overall service down time, providing NPL users with a highly reliable service.
The new time code generator will have the ability to accept up to 50 unused data bits which VT Communications will make available to third parties for data transmissions around the UK and near Europe. Utilising the signal allows VT Communications to offer other customers exceptional transmission integrity over a large geographical coverage area.
Doug Umbers, Managing Director of VT Communications, said: We are very proud to be working in partnership with NPL on a programme of national significance. We are excited to be implementing a highly resilient solution, which will provide tangible benefits to all stakeholders.