Sub-microsecond timing and synchronization are critical to many real-time embedded applications such as IP-based audio/video, wireless, electric power generation and control, industrial automation and control, test and measurement, telecommunications, medical, and military. Tight synchronization of multiple distributed devices is a critical issue facing developers of today’s embedded systems.

With the widespread adoption of Ethernet as an embedded networking technology, new standards have emerged to add precision timing and synchonization to Ethernet itself – notably the IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP). PTP leverages Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) networking standards, equipment, and cabling to provide precision timing to distributed embedded devices. But unlike older approaches, PTP offers significant advantages in cost, performance, reliability, and flexibility. PTP can even operate across heterogeneous networks incorporating not only Ethernet, but other standards including CAN and 802.11 Wi-Fi.

Using PTP, embedded systems developers can synchronize distributed devices to accuracies in the nanosecond range. And PTP offers “no new wires” simplicity and low cost by reusing the existing COTS network infrastructure to distribute timing information and achieve synchronization across the network itself. PTP eliminates the need for extra equipment at each embedded device, such as a GPS receiver, and extra connections, such as coaxial cables needed by the venerable IRIG standard.

For information on how PTP can give your embedded products significant competitive advantages in the marketplace, please read more below.

ADI Engineering’s PTP-Enabled Products

Cinnamon Bay SBC – PTP with Intel Atom

Based on the Intel Atom Z5xxP series, Cinnamon Bay SBC is a tiny, low cost embedded SBC supporting both IEEE 1588 and 802.1as. With features including power consumption as low as 3.5W, on-board hardware offloaded HD video decoder, optional -40 to +85C extended temperature SKUs, and optional 802.3at Power Over Ethernet, Cinnamon Bay SBC is the ideal platform to build advanced PTP-enabled embedded systems.

Ocracoke Island SBC – PTP Accuracy to 15ns, with Frequency Compensated System Clock

Thanks to the advanced implemenation of IEEE 1588 on the Intel EP80579 Integrated Processor, ADI’s Mini-ITX Ocracoke Island SBC offers a comprehensive IEEE 1588 hardware solution and timing accuracies as tight as 15ns. While many embedded SBCs with hardware IEEE 1588 support stop at packet timestamping, Intel’s EP80579 allows Ocracoke Island SBC to take its IEEE 1588 solution one crucial step further – a frequency-compensated hardware system clock for the highest possible accuracy and complete timing continuity during PTP synchronization updates. With its best of breed IEEE 1588 implementation, 0 to 70C and -40 to +85C versions, and a rich set of networking and communication features, Ocracoke Island SBC serves as an ideal platform in applications including wind turbine controllers, smart grid controllers, wireless infrastructure, ruggedized vehicle computers, train controllers, military and aerospace, and industrial control.

IEEE 1588 PTP Technical Articles