Core Synchronization Technologies

Conventional Time Servers are based on five core technologies and protocols. You can read the most important key facts about them here, or you can contact us for more information. Our experts would be happy to answer any other questions you have.

NTP Time Servers - Time via Ethernet

Nowadays, the NTP protocol is available for distributing time via Ethernet. NTP provide an accurate and reliable time across local or global networks for various systems and applications.

Benefits: The NTP protocol provide a synchronization within 1 to 10 milliseconds. UTC is used as a unique time reference for distributed systems and is delivered across local or global networks. The NTP protocol is easy to deploy as no specific network requirements are needed.

Applications: Data Centers, Power network nodes, Power plants, Finance, Telecoms, Air Traffic Control, Railways, Hospitals, universities and public buildings. All sectors where an accurate and reliable time reference is required.

PTP precision time protocol - Time via Ethernet

Nowadays, different protocols are available for distributing time via Ethernet. PTP is used to provide an highly accurate and reliable time across local or global networks for various systems and applications. PTP is defined in IEEE 1588

Benefits: These Highly accurate protocol provide the most precise time and sync in submicroseconds. The TAI is used as a unique time reference for distributed systems and delivering this level of performance across local or global networks is a challenge and depending on requirements needs special network equipment.

Applications: Data Centers, Power network nodes, Power plants, Finance, Telecoms, Air Traffic Control, Railways. All sectors where a Highly accurate and reliable time reference is required.

SyncE Synchronous Ethernet – Frequency via Ethernet

The Synchronous Ethernet “SyncE” provide a frequency synchronization signal to Ethernet Equipment Slave clocks. ITU-T G.8262 defines Synchronous Ethernet clocks compatible with SDH clocks.

Benefits: The Synchronous Ethernet means that the Ethernet physical layer is synchronized by a stable frequency source and should be traceable to an external clock, ideally a master and unique clock “PRC” for the whole network. As SyncE is not carry clock synchronization information  it is often used together with Precision Time Protocol PTP (IEEE 1588).

Applications: Applications include cellular networks, access technologies such as Telecom (packet based backbones) and applications such as IPTV or VoIP.

Time and Frequency synchronization

Different technical outputs for a highly accurate synchronization. PRC (Primary Reference Clocks) with E1/2.048 MHz (G811) signal for SDH network synchronization. Other frequency outputs such as: 10Mhz, PPS, serial ToD or IRIG-B for device synchronization.

Benefits: These Highly accurate Time/Servers/Grandmasters/PRCs provides also the most stable time and frequency outputs are phase locked to an ultra-stable oscillator e.g. atomic Rubidium oscillator.

Applications: Power network nodes, Power plants, Telecoms, Air Traffic Control, Railways. All sectors where a Highly accurate and reliable frequency and time reference is required.

TSN-Time Sensitive Networking – Time over TSN

TSN is a set of standards under development by the Time-Sensitive Networking task group of the IEEE 802.1 working group. TSN is an extensions to normal Ethernet.

Benefits: Not driven by one large company, unlike e.g. Profinet. Best effort and critical data over one network. Vertical integration from the cloud to the processing. High bandwidth, low latency, high availability and determinism are key requirements which are all addressed by TSN

Applications: TSN/OPC-UA will be the field communication of the future in automation, automotive, utilities.