Within the signal path, the C-Rack contains amplifiers that boost the signal before going into the D-Rack.

The more important function of the C-Rack, however, is to take the timing signal from the maser, reformat it, compare it against the GPS receiver, and send out timing pulses to the instrumentation.

Without accurate time, it would be impossible to sync up the recording media at the Correlator. Accurate time is also required so that the antenna knows when to point and for how long.