The GNSS chips for timing and synchronization market size is projected to reach US$ 290.09 million by 2031 from US$ 165.24 million in 2024. The market is expected to register a CAGR of 8.7% during 2025–2031. A hybrid timing architecture is likely to bring new trends into the market in the coming years.
The growing need for accurate timing in data centers, power grids, financial networks, and telecommunications is propelling the GNSS chips for timing and synchronization market. This requirement intensifies with the introduction of 5G networks, as the dependability and ultra-low latency of these networks rely on synchronization at the millisecond level. The integration of GNSS with edge computing and the Internet of Things is creating significant opportunities, as precise timing is necessary for real-time data transfer. Developments in multifrequency GNSS technology and anti-jamming capabilities further support the use of GNSS chips in critical infrastructure. Industry standards and government regulations also prompt investments toward reliable and verifiable timing sources. Further, the accelerating digital transformation across the world, particularly in smart cities and autonomous systems, renders GNSS-based timing solutions ready for wider use in commercial and industrial settings.
The GNSS is a network of satellites that transmit positioning and timing data to receivers, which combine these data with sensor inputs to determine location, speed, and altitude. The accuracy of GNSS chips depends on the number of visible satellites and signal quality. As a result, several governments are attempting to deploy regional constellations to improve navigation and mapping. China, Russia, the US, India, Japan, and the European Union have all developed and operationalized their own GNSS, offering competitive alternatives in the global market. The demand for GNSS chips used in timing and synchronization is growing steadily due to the increasing need for precise timekeeping in critical infrastructure. Key sectors such as telecommunications, particularly with the rollout of 5G networks, require highly accurate timing performance to ensure synchronization at base stations and ensure low-latency communications. Similarly, power grids use GNSS-based timing for grid stability and fault detection via Phazor measurement units (PMUs). The financial sector also demands nanosecond-level synchronization for high-frequency trading and regulatory compliance.
In the energy industry, the importance of time synchronization is increasing since it guarantees accurate coordination among different power grid components. The grid's dependability is highly reliant on this synchronization, which makes fault management, event tracking, and effective communication possible. Maintaining precise time synchronization is essential to maximizing performance and preserving grid stability as the grid integrates sophisticated technologies (such as smart grids) and renewable energy sources.
Phazor measurements units (PMUs) are used in network automated protection systems (wide area measurement systems/wide area control systems) as a source of timing and synchronization data for both automatic protection (for future usage) and network monitoring (for present use). At the PMU level, automatic protection demands a high degree of precision and redundancy. PMUs are placed in distant power network nodes, and GNSS receivers are used for internal time references. Energy project developers, utility firms, energy asset producers, financiers, government agencies, energy dealers, and supply chain managers are considered main stakeholders in the energy sector. These stakeholders utilize space data to audit environmental regulations and policies, develop and monitor assets, and obtain an edge by acquiring general knowledge.
Financial services require strong IT networks and systems that need a high degree of availability, security, and dependability. For synchronization and timestamping, GNSS is utilized to record quotes or occurrences chronologically. Various advantages of using GNSS in financial transactions are mentioned below:
Timing and synchronization solutions are necessary for timestamping financial transactions. Regulators demand incredibly accurate time stamps for each transaction to ensure safe trades, eliminate fraud, and prevent consumer data alteration. In the US alone, financial transactions incurring tremendous losses of trillions of dollars occur annually. Most time systems in the financial industry are still based on the network time protocol (NTP) method. Time synchronization is performed within the exchange, data center, and member units through LAN connections. The reference clock is usually sourced from a GNSS signal together with a rubidium atomic clock. Thus, rising applications of GNSS chips in financial transactions are expected to present significant opportunities for the growth of the GNSS chip for timing and synchronization market.
Key segments that contributed to the derivation of the GNSS chips for timing and synchronization market analysis are device and industry vertical.
The geographic scope of the GNSS chips for timing and synchronization market report is mainly divided into five regions: North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South and Central America.
North America held a significant market share in 2024. The North America GNSS chip for timing and synchronization market is segmented into the US, Canada, and Mexico. With the power systems evolving to accommodate mounting demands and greater reliance on renewable energy, the GNSS chip for time and synchronization market is experiencing strong growth, driven by the urgent need for accurate, real-time coordination across modernized grid infrastructure. Countries in the region are focused on grid modernization. For example, in May 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration launched the Federal-State Modern Grid Deployment Initiative to accelerate improvements to the electric transmission and distribution network, which are critical to meeting the country’s objectives for affordable, clean, reliable, and resilient power. With grid stakeholders facing challenges such as interconnection delays, line congestion, and increased reliability risks posed by extreme weather, highly precise time synchronization enabled by GNSS technology is essential for managing distributed energy resources, improving grid stability, and ensuring seamless integration of clean energy solutions. The importance of GNSS chips is also increasing in a smarter, more resilient grid, which drives the GNSS chip for time and synchronization market in the region.
The regional trends and factors influencing the GNSS Chips for Timing and Synchronization Market throughout the forecast period have been thoroughly explained by the analysts at Insight Partners. This section also discusses GNSS Chips for Timing and Synchronization Market segments and geography across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and South and Central America.
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Market size in 2024 | US$ 165.24 Billion |
| Market Size by 2031 | US$ 290.09 Billion |
| Global CAGR (2025 - 2031) | 8.7% |
| Historical Data | 2021-2023 |
| Forecast period | 2025-2031 |
| Segments Covered |
By Device
|
| Regions and Countries Covered | North America
|
| Market leaders and key company profiles |
The GNSS Chips for Timing and Synchronization Market market is growing rapidly, driven by increasing end-user demand due to factors such as evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and greater awareness of the product's benefits. As demand rises, businesses are expanding their offerings, innovating to meet consumer needs, and capitalizing on emerging trends, which further fuels market growth.
Market players density refers to the distribution of firms or companies operating within a particular market or industry. It indicates how many competitors (market players) are present in a given market space relative to its size or total market value.
Major Companies operating in the GNSS Chips for Timing and Synchronization Market are:
Disclaimer: The companies listed above are not ranked in any particular order.
The GNSS chips for timing and synchronization market is evaluated by gathering qualitative and quantitative data post primary and secondary research, which includes important corporate publications, association data, and databases. A few of the developments in the GNSS chips for timing and synchronization market are listed below:
The "GNSS Chips for Timing and Synchronization Market Size and Forecast (2021–2031)" report provides a detailed analysis of the market covering below areas:
The List of Companies - GNSS Chip for Timing and Synchronization Market
Hybrid timing architecture is one of the key trends in the market.
Rising deployment of 5G network infrastructure; increasing demand for timing and synchronization capacities to improve cybersecurity in data centers and cloud services; and rising deployment in energy grids are driving the market growth.
The market is expected to reach a value of US$ 290.09 billion by 2031.
The market is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 8.7% during 2025-2031.
Broadcom Inc; FURUNO ELECTRIC CO.,LTD; STMicroelectronics; u-blox Holding AG; and Safran SA are major players in the market.