Adding LEO Satellites to Our Global Timing Network: Why Hoptroff is working with Xona

At Hoptroff, we've spent the last decade building the world's most accurate and resilient timing network.

Our Smart Timing solutions deliver nanosecond precision through our unique combination of terrestrial connections to timing authorities like NIST, RISE and NPL, plus multiple GNSS satellite feeds.

Now we're adding another capability to our arsenal: Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, made possible through our relationship with Xona Space Systems - giving our clients early access to next-generation satellite timing technology.

Our Smart Timing platform is built around the principle that no single timing source is perfect. That's why we combine terrestrial atomic clock connections with satellite feeds, using AI-driven algorithms to continuously validate accuracy between time sources.

Xona’s LEO satellites offer capabilities that complement our existing infrastructure, adding new layers of security and performance.

Here’s how.

What makes LEO satellites valuable for timing?

Xona’s Low Earth Orbit satellites, known as Pulsar, sit much closer to Earth than traditional GNSS/GPS satellites—approximately 1000 kilometres up versus 20,000 kilometres. This proximity is a significant advantage, alongside other key innovations: 

Stronger signals: Pulsar satellites deliver signals with 100 times greater received power than GPS. This means reliable timing indoors, in urban environments, and in locations where GPS struggles or fails entirely.

Better security: Unlike GPS, Pulsar timing signals include built-in authentication and encryption, enhancing system integrity and providing comprehensive audit trails. This makes them more resilient to the spoofing attacks that increasingly threaten traditional satellite timing, boosting operational confidence in light of stricter risk frameworks and compliance requirements.

Global coverage: Whilst GPS has known weaknesses in polar regions and challenging environments, Pulsar aims to provide truly global coverage with consistent performance everywhere on Earth.

Pioneering the future of precision timing

As timing technology specialists, we continually evaluate and implement emerging technologies that could benefit our clients.

LEO timing represents the most significant advancement in satellite-based precision timing since GPS itself. Xona's Pulsar constellation, with over $150 million in funding and support from the U.S. Space Force, demonstrates both the maturity and strategic importance of this technology.

The relationship allows us to integrate LEO capabilities into our existing TTaaS® infrastructure without requiring changes to client systems.

Our clients continue to access timing through the same simple interface they are familiar with, while benefiting from enhanced coverage and resilience behind the scenes.

Meeting evolving regulatory requirements

Regulatory frameworks increasingly recognise timing as critical infrastructure requiring enhanced resilience. DORA, effective from January 2025, mandates "redundant ICT capacities" with geographic and technological diversity. NIS2 extends similar requirements across critical infrastructure sectors.

The UK's National Risk Register highlights timing infrastructure vulnerabilities, whilst EU Notice 9188/1/25 specifically addresses GNSS spoofing and jamming protection requirements.

The US Executive Order 13905 explicitly requires the development of GNSS-independent timing sources.

Xona’s LEO satellites help address these requirements by providing an additional, independent timing domain that complements existing sources of timing information. The technology's strong signal penetration and built-in authentication features directly address regulatory concerns about timing vulnerabilities and cyber threats.

Early adoption of next-generation timing technology gives our clients a strategic advantage. Organisations using Hoptroff time operate with timing resilience that exceeds requirements.

This positions our clients for operational excellence and competitive advantage in our connected world.

Early access to next-generation timing technology

Xona's Pulsar constellation is already demonstrating real-world capabilities, with its first satellite broadcasting production-quality signals since June 2025.

Testing and integration with our Smart Timing platform begins now, providing clients early access to LEO timing benefits whilst Xona builds toward full constellation deployment by late 2026.

This phased approach means immediate advantages for Hoptroff’s clients. Rather than waiting for complete constellation coverage, organisations can start benefiting from enhanced timing resilience in challenging environments whilst building operational expertise ahead of their competitors.

Our relationship with Xona reinforces our mission: we take care of time so you don't have to.

Whether your operations require microsecond accuracy for financial compliance or nanosecond precision for quantum computing applications, our multi-source approach ensures timing certainty regardless of location or environmental challenges.

The future of precision timing lies in diversity, resilience, and continuous innovation. By combining the best of terrestrial, GNSS, and LEO technologies, we deliver timing infrastructure that meets today's requirements whilst preparing for tomorrow's challenges.

Ready to upgrade your timing infrastructure with multi-source resilience? Contact our team to discover how quickly and easily you can access Pulsar capabilities through our Smart Timing platform.