VIAVI Solutions Unveils Revolutionary Edge Grandmaster Clock for Secure Timing in Critical Infrastructure
VIAVI Solutions Expands Its SecurePNT Portfolio
On February 11, 2025, VIAVI Solutions Inc., a prominent player in telecommunications technology, announced the rollout of its latest innovation, the EdgeGM™ 7000. This cutting-edge Edge Grandmaster Clock significantly augments the company’s existing SecurePNT™ portfolio, introducing unparalleled features aimed at providing high resilience and precision in Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services. The new device is a result of ongoing technological advancements and a response to the ever-increasing threats to critical infrastructure around the globe.
Understanding the EdgeGM 7000
The EdgeGM 7000 boasts capabilities that support up to 25G Precision Time Protocol (PTP), complemented by multi-orbit SecureTimeSM altGNSSSM services. These features ensure comprehensive PNT assurance, which is crucial for various sectors that rely on precise timing for operational efficiency. VIAVI will showcase this innovative solution at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, scheduled from March 3 to 6, 2025 at Stand 5A18 in Hall 5.
Doug Russell, the Senior Vice President of AvComm at VIAVI, emphasized the growing threats to essential infrastructures, noting, “The world has seen a steady rise in threats to critical infrastructure, including disruption to the Positioning, Navigation, and Timing services that are so vital to secure operations.” He further articulated that the EdgeGM 7000 is designed to preemptively tackle these challenges, thereby offering customers the most robust features in a flexible and scalable setup.
The Importance of Reliable Timing Services
A variety of critical networks - including 5G/6G telecommunications, AI hyperscale data centers, defense, public safety, transportation, aviation, energy, and finance - rely on spatially accessible GPS and GNSS signals for data synchronization based on temporal and location parameters. However, these signals are often vulnerable to unavailability, jamming, spoofing, and even attacks on satellites, potentially leading to disastrous outcomes. In response, authorities worldwide have mandated improvements in network resilience among PNT service providers.
Features of the EdgeGM 7000
The EdgeGM 7000 integrates advanced, scalable resiliency, maintaining PTP speed capabilities within a compact format that fits a 19-inch rack, occupying a mere 1U height. Notably, it allows simple upgrades from 1/10G to 25G PTP through licensing while providing GNSS backups via an on-demand alternate GNSS GEO-L source license.
This innovative clock exceeds the Level 4 PNT resiliency standards as set forth in the IEEE P1252 framework. Furthermore, it supports various PTP profiles catering to multiple sectors like telecommunications, enterprise solutions, and power management systems.
Conclusion
VIAVI Solutions continues to lead the charge in ensuring the integrity and continuity of critical PNT services across industries. Through advancements like the EdgeGM 7000, the company seeks not only to enhance operational efficiency but also to mitigate risks associated with timing service disruptions. As we anticipate its debut at the upcoming MWC in Barcelona, there is great expectation surrounding the potential this technology holds in safeguarding infrastructure worldwide.
For those interested in exploring this significant advancement in timing technology, visit VIAVI's website or their booth at the Mobile World Congress.