Reference clock
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In telecommunication, the term reference clock has the following meanings:
1. A clock with which another clock is compared.
2. A clock, usually of high stability and accuracy, used to govern a network of mutually synchronized clocks of lower stability.
In other applications, the term refers to a master clock that is the timekeeping standard with which to regulate or compare the accuracy of other clocks, including slave clocks.
[edit] See also
Note: The failure of a reference clock does not necessarily cause loss of synchronism.
Source: From Federal Standard 1037C and from MIL-STD-188
