Microchip introduces software-based redundancy to network timing
With the introduction of the TimeProvider 4100 release 2.2 Grandmaster, Microchip provides a new level of software-based redundancy for the IEEE 1588 precise timing grandmaster with gateway clock.
It is intended for critical infrastructure providers, e.g. 5G wireless networks, smart grids, data centres, cable and transportation services, which require redundant, resilient and secure precise timing and synchronisation solution, explained Microchip.
In addition to the redundancy architecture, the TimeProvider 4100 Release 2.2 grandmaster has support for a multi-band global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver and enhanced security to ensure always-on precise timing and synchronisation.
Redundancy ensures uninterrupted services. Infrastructure deployments previously relied on hardware redundancy to avoid service disruption but the modular architectures are expensive. The TimeProvider 4100 Release 2.2 grandmaster provides redundancy via software implementation, enabling flexible deployment and lower hardware costs without sacrificing ports, pointed out Microchip.
It also introduces an increased level of resiliency by supporting a new GNSS multi-band, multi-constellation receiver to protect against time delay resulting from space weather, solar events and other disruptions that may impact critical infrastructure services. Multi-band GNSS is particularly important for the highest levels of accuracy including primary reference time clock Class B (PRTC-B) (40 nano seconds) and enhanced primary reference time clock (ePRTC) (30 nano seconds).
The TimeProvider 4100 Release 2.2 grandmaster also adds support for Radius and TACACS+ and also introduces anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities.
In addition, the TimeProvider 4100 Release 2.2 grandmaster provides a super oven controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) option for enhanced holdover capabilities in case of GNSS disruption.
The TimeProvider 4100 Release 2.2 grandmaster is a family of products with hardware expansion modules for legacy fan-out or Ethernet fan-out with 10Gigabit Ethernet support. It can be configured in specific operation modes to act either as a gateway clock, a high-performance boundary clock or an ePRTC.
The TimeProvider 4100 Release 2.2 grandmaster embeds additional Microchip technology including its OCXO, super OCXO, Rubidium atomic clock, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), Ethernet switch, synthesisers and cleaning oscillators.
The TimeProvider 4100 is part of Microchip’s virtual Primary Reference Time Clock (vPRTC) product portfolio, offering end-to-end precise time and synchronisation. The portfolio also includes Cesium atomic clocks for source of frequency and time, the BlueSky GNSS firewall for security, TimeProvider 4100 high-performance boundary clock and TimeProvider 4100 gateway clocks, as well as the TimePictra software suite, which manages the end-to-end precise time architecture across all Microchip timing products.
Microchip’s TimeProvider 4100 Release 2.2 grandmaster offers several options for software and hardware support including installation, sync audits, network engineering and 24/7 worldwide support.
The TimeProvider 4100 Release 2.2 grandmaster is available now for both new and already-deployed systems.
