Final answer:
A Network Time Protocol (NTP) server receives timing signals from GPS satellites, which use atomic clocks to maintain precise time synchronization essential for network accuracy and communication.
Step-by-step explanation:
The server that gets a timing signal from GPS satellites and passes it to local infrastructure devices and select servers is commonly known as a Network Time Protocol (NTP) server. These servers use the precise atomic clocks on GPS satellites to maintain accurate time synchronization across various devices and systems within a network. Synchronization is crucial for the correct operation of systems, including electronic maps, emergency vehicles, and package delivery services. GPS satellites must account for relativistic effects such as time dilation to ensure the timing remains accurate; without these adjustments, the system's accuracy would quickly deteriorate. This synchronization is essential because it takes only 50 billionths of a second for light to travel 50 feet, and time measurements must be highly accurate to facilitate effective communication between satellites and GPS receivers.