NTP Network Time Server DNTS-9 Application Case · Beijing Zhongxinchuang Technology Co., Ltd.

Figure 1: Schematic diagram of the research network time synchronization application scenario at the Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang (AI-generated illustration; not an actual photograph)

I. Introduction to the Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang

The Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as “Shenyang Institute of Automation”) is a national research institution under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It has long been committed to research in automation science and technology, conducting fundamental, forward-looking, and strategic studies in areas such as robotics, intelligent manufacturing, industrial automation, and optoelectronic technologies. The institute undertakes numerous major national research projects, operates several key laboratories and engineering centers, and maintains an extensive array of scientific instruments, computing clusters, and experimental platforms. Its research activities place stringent demands on the temporal consistency of information systems, data traceability, and the reproducibility of experimental procedures.

II. Customer Requirements

• Provide a unified, standardized, and traceable Beijing Time reference for scientific computing clusters, instrumentation, experimental data platforms, and office networks.
• It meets the requirement for millisecond-level time synchronization accuracy among a large number of servers, data acquisition terminals, and storage systems in research environments.
• Supports time synchronization via multiple GNSS satellites and provides long-term timing accuracy even in the event of satellite signal anomalies.
• It features high availability and strong anti-interference performance, supporting dual-power redundancy, a time‑keeping unit, and anomaly alarms.
• It supports centralized monitoring, unified operations and maintenance, and log auditing for all network‑wide clock devices and clients, facilitating time‑series management and traceability of research data.
• Meet the management requirements of research information systems for time‑base stability and continuity.

III. Procured Products (Technical Specifications of DNTS-9)

The core product procured and deployed for this project is the DNTS-9 all‑purpose NTP network time server, independently developed by Beijing Zhongxinchuang Technology Co., Ltd.

Figure 2: Schematic diagram of the DNTS-9 all‑purpose NTP network time server (Neutron time‑frequency series, schematic).

Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the BeiDou/GPS multi‑mode satellite timing and timekeeping unit (schematic illustration, sourced from product documentation)

IV. Solution

• Core Time Source Deployment: Deploy the DNTS‑9 all‑in‑one NTP time server in the core data center as a primary time source, connect it to GNSS satellite receiving antennas, and maintain long‑term tracking of multi‑system satellite signals.
• Multi‑source redundancy and timing assurance: Multiple GNSS receivers are configured in a mutual‑backup arrangement, with a temperature‑controlled crystal oscillator or a rubidium atomic clock serving as the timing reference; when satellite signals are unavailable, all‑digital phase‑locked loop technology ensures continuous timekeeping accuracy.
• Network-wide time distribution: NTP time is distributed to the computing cluster, instrument acquisition terminals, and storage and service platforms via the core research network switch, thereby establishing a unified time reference for the research environment.
• Centralized Monitoring and Alarms: Deploy the DNTS-Manager centralized monitoring platform (B/S architecture) to provide unified monitoring and alerting for time sources, client synchronization status, time offset, and synchronization link latency.
• Security and Traceability: Supports IPv4/IPv6, SNMPv3, RSA/MD5/SHA authentication, and AES/DES encryption; features role-based access control and audit‑trail logging, meeting the time‑stamping and data‑provenance management requirements of research information systems.

V. Implementation Outcomes

• The scientific computing cluster, instrument acquisition terminals, and business systems are all synchronized to a unified time source, with terminal time deviations consistently maintained within the millisecond range.
• The temporal consistency of experimental data, observational records, and system logs has been improved, facilitating the temporal correlation, comparison, and reproducibility of research data.
• With dual redundancy provided by the satellite timing and holdover units, the equipment can continue to deliver stable time‑synchronization services even in scenarios where satellite signals are weak or temporarily interrupted.
• By leveraging a centralized monitoring platform, device operating status, client synchronization status, and anomaly alerts are managed through unified visualized dashboards, thereby reducing operational and maintenance overhead.
• Logs are traceable, and access permissions are controllable, providing support for auditing and data provenance in research information systems.

VI. Typical Application Cases (Research and Key Industries)

Numerous research institutions and key industry users have adopted Beijing Zhongxin Chuang’s NTP/clock server products. Relevant application entities include:

China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, Tianma Telescope of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhou‑14 Manned Spacecraft, Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, China Electric Power Research Institute, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optical Technology of the National Astronomical Observatories, China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, Lanzhou Branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Modern Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Railway Scientific Research Institute, Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Instruments of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xichang Satellite Launch Center, The 54th Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, The 10th Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, The 8th Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, The 15th Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, The 36th Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, Xi’an Flight Automatic Control Research Institute of Aviation Industry Corporation of China, Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, Beijing‑1 Satellite Ground Station, China Putian, Shanghai Lizheng Satellite Application Technology, Shanghai Small Satellite Engineering Center, Chongqing Transportation Research and Design Institute of China Merchants Group, Railway Research Institute, Lanzhou Institute of Physics, The 12th Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Information Science, and others.

(The above rankings are in no particular order.)

VII. Conclusion

The choice of numerous departments and enterprises reflects recognition of Zhongxinchuang’s products and services. Beijing Zhongxinchuang Technology Co., Ltd. will uphold its corporate mission of “Innovating Technology, Serving a Better Life,” and work in sincere cooperation with partners from all sectors to jointly achieve win-win outcomes and shared progress for both the company and society!

VIII. Regarding Beijing Zhongxinchuang Technology Co., Ltd.

Beijing Zhongxinchuang Technology Co., Ltd. was established in 2002 and is one of the earliest domestic high-tech enterprises to research and manufacture time and frequency products. The company holds national high-tech enterprise certification and ISO9001 quality management system certification, and has accumulated test reports and certification certificates issued by professional institutions such as the National Institute of Metrology and the National Time Service Center.

The company remains committed to the R&D, manufacturing, sales, and service of time‑frequency products. Its offerings—including NTP/SNTP servers, PTP‑IEEE 1588 master clocks, GPS/Beidou‑based time and frequency synchronization devices, and digital master‑slave clock systems—span multiple product lines and dozens of models, serving a wide range of critical sectors and applications such as government agencies, public security and justice, research institutes, finance and insurance, healthcare and broadcasting, power and telecommunications, education, petrochemicals and steel, national defense, and railway transportation.

Official Website: https://www.neutrontek.com

Product Series: NTP/SNTP network time servers, PTP‑IEEE1588 master clocks, GPS/Beidou‑synchronized time and frequency products, digital master‑slave clock systems, and satellite‑based spatiotemporal security isolation devices.

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