Springing ahead with high-tech clocks

It will be perfect timing this weekend for students, faculty and staff at UVic’s new continuing studies building—even with the switch to daylight savings time. The new building is sporting the latest in high-tech time-keeping: a wireless analog clock system that is accurate to the second and never out-of-sync, even during a power outage or a seasonal time change. The same technology will be part of the soon-to-be-completed medical sciences and engineering/computer science buildings. The wireless technology includes a transmitter that receives signals from a constellation of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, and then rebroadcasts the signals via FM radio to the clock system. The clocks run on batteries that last over five years, keeping maintenance and costs low. “We’re pleased to introduce this innovative technology and to improve time keeping accuracy on the campus,” says Betsy Moyer of UVic’s facilities management department.

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