Aims:

1. To provide a forum for gathering and exchanging experiences, ideas and knowledge on the development, deployment, testing and standardisation of Time and Frequency distribution across R&E networks, with a particular focus on interoperability; This will be achieved through group meetings (online and face-to-face), the use of online collaborative tools, collating and dissemination of information or organising pilot projects;
   
   
2. To define agreed objectives and commitment levels related to the operation and management of a Time and Frequency Network;
   
   
3. To define an agreed data management plan and having a common repository for information and data;
   
   
4. To create a federated access to repositories and data;
   
   
5. To make recommendations and play the role of a technical adviser.     
   
   

Running period:

This is the second year of operation of the SIG-TFN, which was established in February 2024.

SIG-TFN charter link

SIG-TFN Sustainability working group:

Team
Richard Lui (WG leader)
Raphaël Marion
Christian Chardonnet
Wojbor Bogacki
Christian Lisdat
Davide Calonico

Objectives

• Investigate a path to sustainability of the CLONETS-DS C-TFN, both for GÉANT and for participating NRENs and NMIs.
• Carry out cost modelling to identify the extent of the future funding needs for fibre and flywheels.
• Shepard funding through governance of GN5-2.
• Engage EURAMET, NRENs, GÉANT and the European Commission to find solutions to long-term funding.
  
  

SIG-TFN technical working group:

Team
Guy Roberts (WG leader)
Jeroen Koelemeij
Jochen Kronjaeger
Raphaël Marion
Krzysztof Turza
Jacques-Olivier Gaudron

Objectives

• Expand on the CLONETS-DS architecture and integrate lessons learnt from PTB-PSNC pathfinder.
• Investigate if tiers of flywheel performance are needed e.g NMI flywheel, NREN flywheel, etc.
• Prepare a C-TFN architecture.
• Prepare a technical specification for the C-TFN flywheels.
• Prepare a technical specification for the GÉANT cross-border fibre links.

SIG-TFN is jointly led by:

Steering Committee members

• Guy Roberts (GÉANT)
• Paolo Bolletta (GARR)
• Josef Vojtech (CESNET)
• Krzysztof Turza (PSNC)
• Jacques-Olivier Gaudron (NPL)
• Christian Chardonnet (REFIMEVE)

Coordinators

• Domenico Vicinanza (GÉANT)
• Nadelina Sandu (GÉANT)
  
  

Supporting NRENs:

CESNET, GARR, PSNC

Additional support:

PTB, REFIMEVE, GUM, INRIM, NPL, METAS, Observatoire de Paris, Observatoire de Bruxlelles, VSL, IPE/UFE, FAMO, CERN, Belnet, GÉANT