In this paper, we propose a hierarchical distributed timing architecture
based on an ensemble of miniature atomic clocks. The goal is to ensure
synchronized and accurate timing in a normal operating mode where Global
Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals are available, as well as in an
emergency operating mode during GNSS failures. At the lower level, the
miniature atomic clocks employ a distributed control strategy that uses only
local information to ensure synchronization in both modes. The resulting
synchronized time or generated time scale has the best frequency stability, as
measured by the Allan variance, over the short control period. In the upper
layer, a supervisor controls the long-term behavior of the generated time
scale. In the normal operating mode, the supervisor periodically anchors the
generated time scale to the standard time based on GNSS signals, while in the
emergency operating mode, it applies optimal floating control to reduce the
divergence rate of the generated time scale, which is not observable from the
measurable time difference between the miniature atomic clocks. This floating
control aims to explicitly control the generated time scale to have the least
Allan variance over the long control period. Finally, numerical examples are
provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the architecture
in high-precision, GNSS-resilient atomic timing.

Este artículo explora los viajes en el tiempo y sus implicaciones.

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