Method of Synchronising Nodes of a Network, and System and Device Therefor

A synchronisation device for synchronising a plurality of nodes of a network with a reference time scale, the device comprising:

• a GNSS receiver operatively associated with a GNSS antenna;
• a time source giving local time;
• data communication means for receiving data from and/or transmitting data to one or more of the nodes;
• ranking means operable to rank the nodes with respect to one another according to the measurement data transmitted by the nodes;
• selection means operable to select one or more master nodes from the plurality of nodes according to the ranking of the nodes;
• assigning means operable to assign each of the plurality of nodes to a corresponding master node or to a control centre;
• time offset determination means operable to determine a first time offset between the local time measured at each node and the local time measured at its corresponding master node and operable to determine a second time offset between each of the master nodes and the reference time scale such that the time offset between the local time measured at each node and the reference time scale can be determined.