NTF’s General Timestamp API Consortium exists to foster the development and implementation of a new “general timestamp” structure with a
portable and efficient API library.
Current timestamps usually contain a date and time, sometimes with fractional seconds. However, they do not contain enough information to
be particularly useful, such as:
the amount of error that may have accumulated since the clock was last synchronized with a believable time source.
the timescale used (UTC, TAI) and a method for converting between differing timescales.
The General Timestamp project aimes to:
- define a new “timestamp structure” that includes the time, any known expected correction to “true” time, error measurements, and the
timescale used.
- create an efficient and portable library API for the conversion and comparison of these new timestamps.
You can join the discussion surrounding the General Timestamp API in the community forum.