Slave clock

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In telecommunication, a slave clock is a clock that is coordinated with a master clock. Slave clock coordination is usually achieved by phase-locking the slave clock signal to a signal received from the master clock. To adjust for the transit time of the signal from the master clock to the slave clock, the phase of the slave clock may be adjusted with respect to the signal from the master clock so that both clocks are in phase. Thus, the time markers of both clocks, at the output of the clocks, occur simultaneously.

In other areas, the term refers to satellite electrical clocks that operate remotely from an electrical pulse issued by a master clock. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, slave clocks were widely used throughout public buildings and business offices, and their remote operation was regulated by electrical signals sent by a centralized master clock.

Source: from Federal Standard 1037C