Kinetic Realtime Observation Network Operation and Synchronization (KRONOS)

This proposal delineates a strategic plan for overhauling the timing and control infrastructure of the Holloman High Speed Test Track, employing advanced timing technologies to fulfill the rigorous requirements of modern subsonic and hypersonic sled testing. The endeavor, dubbed KRONOS (Kinetic Realtime Observation Network Operation and Synchronization), seeks to augment the track's functionalities by utilizing its existing copper wire network, enabling nanosecond-level timing precision and test command and control across its extensive ten-mile expanse. Addressing several critical technical hurdles is key to this initiative. These include attaining synchronized high-precision timing over considerable distances, boosting communication bandwidth, safeguarding data security, incorporating a variety of sensor types, and ensuring the system's durability against harsh environmental conditions. To tackle these challenges, the proposal integrates GPS for clock synchronization, chip-scale atomic clocks to ensure timing continuity in environments where GPS is compromised, and sophisticated data transmission methods for securely managing both low and high-bandwidth data across the pre-existing copper infrastructure. Phase I focuses on conducting an exhaustive site survey, engaging with stakeholders for comprehensive discussions, drafting the system design, and developing a preliminary prototype. Subsequently, Phase II is dedicated to the development, deployment, and rigorous testing of the full system, leveraging state-of-the-art technologies such as GPS-disciplined atomic oscillators and time interval counters to achieve a timing accuracy of 1 nanosecond. The proposed KRONOS system aims to establish a cohesive time base for the analysis of sensor data, bolster command-and-control capabilities for test management and streamline the processes of data retrieval and storage. By introducing advanced timing and synchronization technologies, the system promises unmatched precision and reliability in the collection and analysis of test data. Such a modernized infrastructure is poised to significantly elevate the operational capabilities of the track, fostering cutting-edge research, and securing Holloman's leadership in aerospace testing.