Aggregating atomic clocks for time-stamping

Temure Saidkhodjaev, Jeffrey Voas, Rick Kuhn, Joanna Defranco, Phillip Laplante

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

A timestamp is a critical component in many applications, such as proof of transaction ordering or analyzing algorithm performance. This paper reports on a method called Verified Timestamping (VT) that improves the standard timestamp protocol. VT was developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for use in algorithms where timestamp accuracy is critical. VT is an aggregation of the outputs from various atomic clocks to create a Timestamping Authority (TsA). The motivation for this research effort included malicious delay issues in Networks of Things [NIST SP 800-183] as well as race conditions associated with the inclusion of new blocks into blockchains. This paper presents the TsA design and the results of VT, which indicate that atomic clock aggregation is not only possible, but a viable means to produce higher integrity timestamps at the ms level of performance. Tests showed that this is sufficient to preserve event ordering, using only a conventional PC with no dedicated connection or specialized hardware.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings - 14th IEEE International Conference on Service-Oriented System Engineering, SOSE 2020
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages1-6
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781728169729
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2020
Event14th IEEE International Conference on Service-Oriented System Engineering, SOSE 2020 - Oxford, United Kingdom
Duration: Aug 3 2020Aug 6 2020

Publication series

NameProceedings - 14th IEEE International Conference on Service-Oriented System Engineering, SOSE 2020

Conference

Conference14th IEEE International Conference on Service-Oriented System Engineering, SOSE 2020
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityOxford
Period8/3/208/6/20

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Computer Networks and Communications
  • Information Systems and Management
  • Control and Systems Engineering

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