Author_Institution :
Dept. of Phys., Colorado Univ., Boulder, CO, USA
Abstract :
Improvements in clock technology make it possible to develop extremely accurate timing, ranging, navigation, and communications systems. Three relativistic effects, time dilation, the Sagnac effect, and gravitational frequency shifts, must be accounted for in order for modern systems to work properly. These effects are related in a nonmathematical way to fundamental relativity principles: constancy of the speed of light, and the principle of equivalence. Examples of current and future engineering applications are discussed, such as in the Global Positioning System, in time synchronization systems, communications, and geodesy
Keywords :
general relativity; geodesy; gravitation; navigation; radionavigation; satellite relay systems; special relativity; synchronisation; time measurement; Global Positioning System; Sagnac effect; breakdown; clock technology; communications; coordinate time; engineering; geodesy; gravitational frequency shifts; navigation; ranging; relativistic effects; relativity principles; speed of light; time dilation; time synchronization; timing; Atomic clocks; Frequency synchronization; Global Positioning System; Mercury (metals); Navigation; Optical propagation; Relativistic effects; Sagnac interferometers; Stability; Timing;
