Time and Frequency Services
UTC(NIST) is freely distributed to many millions of users through radio, Internet, and telephone links. The services that distribute UTC(NIST) include shortwave radio stations WWV and WWVH, low frequency radio station WWVB, the Internet Time Service (ITS), the Automated Computer Time Service (ACTS), the telephone time service, and the web clock (time.gov). These services synchronize hundreds of millions of clock every day.
UTC(NIST) is also distributed through remote calibration services to paying customers who need the highest levels of accuracy. The demanding measurement needs of these customers are met through the Frequency Measurement and Analysis Service (FMAS) and the Time Measurement and Analysis Service (TMAS).
NBS/NIST Radio Stations: The Story of an Old Timer
![NBS/DOC](https://webharvest.gov/congress115th/20190108214606im_/https://www.nist.gov/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/2017/02/27/nbs-commerce.jpg?itok=m83c3ZnR)
This series of webpages will lead you on a journey on the history of the NBS/NIST radio stations. Enjoy reading the story of an "old timer," John Lowe, our WWV/WWVB/WWVH station master. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to either contact addresses at the bottom of the pages. You can watch a video of his talk as well.
Projects and Programs
SIM Time Scale
To support time and frequency metrology throughout the Americas, the Sistema Interamericano de Metrologia (SIM) Time and Frequency Metrology Working Group (TFMWG) maintains the SIM time scale (SIMT), the first continuously maintained multi-national ensemble time scale that is generated and published in real time (updated every hour). SIMT complements the world's official time scale, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), by providing real time support to operational timing and calibration systems in the SIM region. The stability of SIMT is superior to most SIM local time scales and SIMT also provides a good approximation of UTC timing accuracy (±15 ns).
Standard Reference Instruments (SRI)
NIST is consolidating its provision of reference instrumentation and devices into a new Standard Reference Instrumentation (SRI) program.