[time-nuts] Phase modulation detection/NIST plan

[Hal Murray]

die at dieconsulting.com said:
> There are innumerable applications for low cost low power human level 1
> second accurate time of day in modern electronic systems - examples are
> traffic lights and school crossing signs and water sprinklers and street
> lights and other outdoor lighting and many others... these systems are not
> normally network connected  and there is no current wide area technology
> short of power hungry GPS with its weak signals and relatively high cost and
> difficult reception from many locations to do this. 

How many of those are really interested in low power?

The only one I see on your list that might run off batteries is water 
sprinklers.  All the rest use enough power that a GPS unit would be in the 
noise.

I think the main argument for WWVB receivers vs GPS receivers would be cost.  
In either case, you have to get the antenna outside the metal enclosure and 
that may be the major cost.  (I suppose a sprinkler controller could be 
mounted in a plastic enclosure.)

"school crossing signs" is another possibility.  In the last year or two, 
I've seen several setups around here that have solar powered LEDs mounted at 
street level at pedestrian crossings.  They are great at night but not so 
great during the day.  (But during the day the pedestrians are easier to see.)



-- 
These are my opinions.  I hate spam.