CITAF

Czech Infrastructure for Time and Frequency

CITAF is a non-commercial and open activity focused on the transfer of accurate time and very stable frequency using optical networks. The national optical infrastructure for time and frequency transfer is operated on top of the CESNET network infrastructure. It is used to transmit time scales of atomic clocks in involved organizations, the Institute of Photonics and Electronics, the Institute of Scientific Instruments, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the Czech Technical University, and the Research Institute of Geodesy, Topography and Cartography. Time transfer utilizes adapters developed by CESNET and the White Rabbit system. Another application is the transfer of ultrastable frequency over hundreds of kilometres of optical fiber with noise cancellation.

The CITAF infrastructure is the result of the research activities of the CESNET association and is further developed in cooperation with partners. The achieved parameters and potential correspond to similar activities in other countries and allow us to participate in international research in the field of time and frequency metrology.

The aim of CITAF activity is:

to be a national platform for cooperation in research and development of methods of the maximum possible stability and accuracy of time and frequency transmission in optical networks;
to strive for the establishment of a permanent national optical infrastructure for the transmission of time and frequency with parameters corresponding to the most stable current and near-future sources of frequency and for its connection to the follow-up European infrastructure;
to support joint publishing activities of partners and cooperation in national and international projects and grants;
present the results of cooperation and develop an awareness of the possibilities and use of the distribution of very accurate time and stable frequency.