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2005 adds extra second as earth slows
01 Jan 2006
The once common "leap second" is the first in seven years and reflects, they say, the unpredictable nature of the planet's behaviour. For the first time since 1998, the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service in Paris will sneak in an extra second at the end of the year to get time back in synch with the atomic clock, which is unwavering in its measurement of time on earth.
ACR Electronics, manufacturer of two Automatic Identification System (AIS) brands - both go under the GlobalWatch brand name - is alerting customers that the additional second will affect the performance of their on-board AIS systems, unless a manual resynchronisation is put in place between January 1-2, 2006.
The "leap second" will affect all AIS systems, and manufacturers such as ACR are notifying users around the world.
Unless re-synchronised, the GPS signal received by the transponder could fail to identify targets on the AIS display.
ACR, in addition to emails to dealers and unit owners, has posted a detailed technical bulletin on its website at www.acrelectronics.com offering two simple options for manual resynchronisation.
