US Patent 11493636 Master/slave ensembling for satellite-system timekeeping

Time-synchronization of a space-system having a plurality of satellites. During a first period, a first satellite of the plurality of satellites is designated as a master satellite. A clock of the master satellite is configured to provide time and frequency to remaining satellites of the plurality of satellites and the remaining satellites are designated as slave satellites. During a second period, a second satellite of the slave satellites is designated as the master satellite based on a performance indicator and the first satellite is designated as a slave satellite. During the first period and the second period, clocks of the slave satellites are crosslinked with a clock of the master satellite using time transfer. At least one satellite during the first period and the second period, delivers time data having the time and the frequency generated by a clock of the at least one satellite.