Time-Net Korea

Precise time and frequency information is an invisible yet essential infrastructure underpinning every part of a modern nation. Demand for ultra-precise frequency synchronization and the reliable delivery of accurate time is growing rapidly across all sectors: base-station synchronization in 5G/6G mobile networks, transaction timestamping and regulatory compliance for high-frequency trading in finance, wide-area monitoring (PMU) and smart-grid operation in electric power systems, command-and-control, electronic warfare, and PNT (Positioning, Navigation, Timing) systems in defense, and large-scale science including radio astronomy (VLBI), optical clock comparison, gravitational-wave detection, article accelerators and quantum communications.

Currently, a significant portion of this demand, both domestically and internationally, is met by Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as GPS. While GNSS continues to play an excellent and pivotal role in providing accurate time information, the unprecedented reliance of national critical infrastructures on ultra-precise timing has led major countries to pursue the establishment of multi-layered time synchronization infrastructures as a national priority to robustly support and complement existing systems [1,2]. To this end, methods utilizing long-wave terrestrial signals, communication satellites, and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites are being investigated. In particular, optical fiber-based time and frequency transfer technology is actively being developed and deployed, as it creates a strong synergy with existing systems while delivering exceptionally high precision and reliability [3,4]. In Europe, following decades of developing related technologies over cross-border research networks, projects are currently underway to establish these systems as a tangible regional infrastructure [3].

Korea is well-positioned to build its own fiber-based time and frequency network—"Time-Net Korea"—by combining KRISS's capability to maintain the national time standard UTC(KRIS) with the nationwide optical infrastructure of the national research network, KREONET (managed by KISTI). In addition, as international regulations evolve, time-synchronization requirements and standards may be introduced into Korea's key industries, making proactive technical discussions highly timely. This workshop serves as the first step toward bringing together these national needs and technical foundations.

[1]   European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Assessing Alternative Positioning, Navigation and Timing Technologies for Potential Deployment in the EU (JRC132737, 2023).  https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC132737 ↩

[2] U.S. Department of Transportation, GPS Backup/Complementary PNT Demonstration. https://www.transportation.gov/pnt/gps-backupcomplementary-pnt-demonstration 

[3] Fiber Based Optical Network for European Science and Technology, EU, (https://forest-ri.eu/)

[4] National TIming Center, UK, https://www.npl.co.uk/ntc  

Objectives (목표)

1. Identify and share sector-specific demands for ultra-precise time and frequency across telecommunications, finance, electric power, defense, and science, and build consensus on the role and necessity of a time synchronization network as critical national infrastructure.

2. Review international trends and deployment cases in resilient, high-accuracy time and frequency transfer and synchronization technologies, and assess Korea's technological readiness and application strategies.

3. Discuss a roadmap for building a nationwide time and frequency network that links the national time standard with the National Research Network.

4. Establish an industry–academia–research–government consultative body and define R&D and commercialization strategies, laying the foundation for a sustained national initiative.

Organizing Committee (조직위원)

• Myoung-Sun Heo (KRISS)

• Buseung Cho (KISTI)

• Seji Kang (KRISS)

• Meung Ho Seo (KRISS)

• Minji Hyun (KRISS)

• Juhyun Lee (KRISS)

• Hanna Kim (KRISS)

• Min-Seong Lee (KISTI)

• Chanjin Park (KISTI)