Brad Parkinson, the father of GPS, says we need to “Protect, Toughen and Augment our PNT systems.” The ‘T’ in PNT is Timing, which is fundamental to the function of most Positioning and Navigation systems.  This session seeks papers that discuss cPNT and aPNT technologies, their timing issues, and the availability of these technologies to the user — both independent of GPS/GNSS and as a complement to it.  Please submit papers to this session that discuss issues related to the following.

• Resilience of systems currently reliant on PNT technologies is a critical topic and we look forward to papers in this session that discuss problems and solutions. 
• Diverse technologies include the use of both space-based and ground-based infrastructures.  
• Space-based networks consisting of pLEO (proliferated Low-Earth Orbit) constellations have been deployed by both commercial entities and the U.S. Department of Defense.  
• The National Association of Broadcasters’ (NAB) Broadcast Positioning System (BPS) is a terrestrial-based network that transmits timing embedded in digital TV signals from high power high tower (HPHT) transmitters, and can lead to a full terrestrial-based Positioning system.  
• The resilience of user equipment and its ability to be integrated into traditional PNT applications is equally important.
• The IEEE P1952 Standard for Resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) User Equipment (UE) is being developed to address the characterization of adversities and define the expected behaviors for both PNT and cPNT and aPNT UE when subjected to them.  This effort is aimed at identifying vulnerabilities and creating a standardized way to improve resilience to them.  

The rapid evolution of aerospace and defense technologies has underscored the critical importance of synchronization and timing across systems and platforms. We invite researchers, engineers, and industry professionals to submit papers exploring innovative approaches, challenges, and solutions related to synchronization and timing in aerospace and defense. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• time-sensitive networking
• precision time protocol (PTP)
• resilient timing architectures for GNSS-denied environments
• timing in navigation and guidance systems
• distributed sensor fusion and the integration of timing solutions in autonomous systems

Submissions may address theoretical advancements, practical implementations, case studies, or emerging trends that highlight the impact of precise timing on mission success, system interoperability, and security. We particularly welcome interdisciplinary perspectives that bridge gaps between hardware, software, and operational requirements. Accepted papers will be presented at our upcoming workshop, providing a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among experts shaping the future of aerospace and defense. Join us in advancing the state of the art in synchronization and timing for aerospace and defense applications.

 As enterprises accelerate their adoption of hybrid multi-cloud architectures, AI-driven platforms, and distributed financial services, time synchronization has become a foundational enabler for performance, security, and compliance. In both data centers and financial systems, precise and reliable timekeeping is no longer optional—it is critical to ensure traceability, determinism, and regulatory alignment.

This session invites submissions that explore the evolving role of time synchronization in modern digital infrastructure, including:

• Hybrid and multi-cloud timing challenges: Consistency across heterogeneous cloud environments, time-aware observability, and inter-cloud traceability
• AI infrastructure and edge computing: Synchronization for distributed AI pipelines, inference workflows, model versioning, and time-aligned event correlation
• Financial systems: Sub-microsecond timestamping for high-frequency trading, distributed ledger timing, fraud detection, and compliance with MiFID II, CAT, and other global standards
• Data centers and automation: Time-based orchestration, containerized infrastructure timing, and scalable time distribution in virtualized and bare metal environments
• Security and forensics: Temporal integrity for logs, detection of time-based attacks, and reliable time in zero-trust or decentralized environments
• Running Applications in the cloud:   What is impact/value of accurate time available in the cloud? How does this improve the capability offered by the Application running in the cloud?  How does time impact the complexity of the Application running in the cloud?

We welcome papers on theoretical advancements, operational deployments, case studies, and regulatory perspectives. Special consideration will be given to cross-domain innovation, timing resilience, and the role of synchronization in enabling next-generation digital services.

 UTC traceable time synchronization plays a pivotal role in critical industries such as the electricity sub sector, Broadcast, and Media.  The need for precise timekeeping and synchronization grows as these domains become increasingly complex and interconnected.

The shift to green energy necessitates accurate measurement and control of electricity flow to address grid oscillations. Substations rely on traceable UTC time for precise measurements that can be correlated across the grid. Additionally, managing electricity generation from traditional and renewable sources becomes more complex with the integration of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) and microgrids.

Time synchronization is crucial for the broadcast industry, supporting both media production and the Broadcast Positioning System (BPS), a GNSS-free, UTC-traceable PNT service available within broadcast areas. This system offers a complementary solution to GNSS. Additionally, both the broadcast industry and power grid face growing risks from cyber-attacks and GNSS vulnerabilities, which could disrupt these essential sectors.

This session seeks abstracts that will explore these, and other applications related to the broadcast industry and power grid as well as the role of UTC traceable timing needed to support them.

Precision synchronization and timing solutions have always been a mainstay of the telecom industry. 5G deployment continues to drive the increased need to deliver accurate synchronization among radio base stations. This trend is expected to continue as the network evolves towards 6G, with the potential introduction of new approaches to meet the timing needs.

Topics for discussion include but are not limited to:

• • What experience can be shared from 5G deployments on how to address timing challenges?
  • What issues are introduced by the evolution of the network architecture (e.g., radio access split, shared network resources, network cloudification, different access methods such as Passive Optical Networks (PON)?
  • What redundancy schemes are considered (e.g., GNSS combined with PTP, enhanced holdover) for providing the appropriate level of resiliency and availability? How is network performance being monitored?
  • What is the right balance between benefits from accurate timing and related additional expenses?
  • What are the synchronization implications on the integration of 5G with vertical industries? How can connected industries such as Data Centers benefit from the telecom sync solutions as well as from its disseminated reference timing signals?
  • What new timing requirements are expected as the network evolves toward 6G?
  • What is the status of timing offered over the telecom infrastructure as a component of critical infrastructure?
  • What new timing solutions are being considered in current and future telecom networks? Are AI and ML being considered in this context? Can timing solutions provide information regarding network health and thereby aid in overall Network Management?

The increasing demand for seamless coordination, communication, and collaboration across industries such as aerospace, cloud computing, telecommunications, and beyond necessitates robust, precise, and secure synchronization of networks and systems. Synchronization—whether time-based or frequency-based—is the backbone of modern applications, from 5G/6G networks and data center operations to avionics and satellite systems. As industries evolve to meet current and future demands, advancements in synchronization techniques, supported by reliable time and frequency sources, are critical to ensuring accuracy, traceability, and resilience.

We invite talks and posters that explore cutting-edge synchronization techniques for network and system applications, with a focus on delivering precise, secure, and scalable timing solutions. Submissions should address the evolving needs of industries, such as aerospace (e.g., satellite navigation, autonomous flight systems) and data centers (e.g., AI-driven cloud infrastructure, low-latency networks). Contributions that highlight innovations in time and frequency sources as enablers of synchronization are also welcome, particularly those addressing redundancy, distribution, and security.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Novel synchronization techniques for network and system applications, including last-mile, backhaul, core, and cloud platforms.
• Innovations in time and frequency source technologies supporting synchronization in high-reliability systems like aerospace and data centers.
• Secure timing solutions to address vulnerabilities in GNSS and network time distribution.
• Measurement methodologies for evaluating synchronization accuracy and traceability.
• Advances in time synchronization for emerging technologies like 6G, AI, and quantum computing.
• Resilient timing architectures for distributed systems in mission-critical applications.

We encourage submissions that present new research, technological advancements, or practical deployments that meet the changing demands of these industries.

Advances in timing technology are crucial for enabling innovation across a wide range of emerging applications, services, and related infrastructure. While timing is often associated with positioning and navigation, it plays a vital role in supporting technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, smart cities, quantum applications, autonomous vehicles, defense systems, cybersecurity, blockchain, edge computing, digital twins, Time Sensitive Networking (TSN), and Virtual Reality (VR).

This session seeks abstracts that examine the connection between these or other emerging applications and the advancements in timing systems and technology needed to support them.

The Poster format is designed to help presenters address any WSTS topics or other time/synchronization-related topics in a less-formal format than Workshop Talks. Posters will be on display for the duration of the conference. Workshop attendees will have ample time to view them before approaching Poster presenters to discuss them. During the Poster Sessions, time is given for all WSTS attendees to view the Posters.

These Sessions provide a relaxed atmosphere to answer questions or to provide information on the Poster Presenters’ topic/offering at a more in-depth level than would be possible in a more formal Workshop talk. This allows each Poster presenter to engage personally with other attendees in small groups or one on one – creating a more interactive and personalized format for connecting with fellow attendees.