IEEE 1588 Product Overview

The IEEE 1588 standard, also called "Precision Clock Synchronization Protocol for Networked Measurement and Control Systems" or "PTP", defines a procedure for the synchronization of many distributed real time clocks which are connected by a packet oriented network (typically Ethernet). The method behind this standard was initially developed by Agilent and was used for distributed measurement and control applications. The challenge was to synchronize networked measurement devices, to enable them to record different signals and assign an exact system time stamp to all of them. Based on this time stamp it is possible to bring the recorded signals in exact correlation to each other.

Protocol Software

IEEE 1588 PTP Protocol Software

The IEEE 1588 protocol software allows the fast and easy development of devices conforming to IEEE 1588. To ensure a fast integration into the customer's target system, the IEEE 1588 protocol software has a modular structure. Interfaces to the target platform are encapsulated within an adaptation layer, e.g. for the access to the UDP/IP socket. This simplifies the portation to the customer's target extremely.

IP Core

IEEE 1588 PTP IP Core

The IEEE 1588 IP core enables the easy implementation of the IEEE 1588 hardware support into FPGAs and includes a time stamp unit (TSU), which generates the time stamps for the received and transmitted IEEE 1588 messages directly at the MII interface, an IEEE 1588 timer, programmable and timer synchronized digital inputs and outputs as well as a PPS signal. The synchronization accuracy depends on the FPGA clock and is already in the range of +/-150 ns, using a 50 MHz clock. Version 1 and the version 2 of the IEEE 1588 protocol are supported.

Using this solution allows to extend CPUs with integrated Ethernet controller by an IEEE 1588 hardware support to get a high synchronization accuracy. Using a soft CPU, like the Altera NIOS II, a complete single-chip solution can be implemented in a FPGA, which can also contain the customer application.

Evaluation Kits

Evaluation Kits for IEEE 1588

For the fast introduction of the IEEE 1588 technology, evaluation kits based on different microcontroller platforms are available. They can be ordered directly from the respective vendors. Part of the evaluation kits is a complete and functional version of the IXXAT 1588 stack.