Geomatics

The Center for Alternative Synchronization and Timing (CAST) at ORNL performs research, development, testing, evaluation, and technical assistance to enable resilient timing and synchronization for the power grid. Working closely with power utilities, timing hardware and software vendors, network operators, and federal stakeholders, CAST helps develop and validate alternative timing architectures to augment GPS time. CAST also translates and transfers ORNL’s research and development (R&D) advances in secure timing and grid communications to power sector applications, and engages across the broader timing community to develop best practices to ensure the resilience of US critical infrastructure. CAST was established in 2021 and is sponsored by DOE’s Office of Electricity.

Precision imaging validates the use of commercial and NTM satellite geolocation processes for use in Department of Defense applications. They are also working on automation for real-time geopositioning and automation of satellite image processing.

Titanium White is producing a global 2m terrain model. This terrain data is used in mobility models critical for tracking the assets of foreign competitors. It is also used for gravity modeling that affects the performance of satellite orbit predictions and maintenance of the global reference frames.