Integrated Device Technology (IDT) has introduced a hardware and software solution that is claimed to simplify IEEE 1588 synchronisation of network communications equipment. The 82P339xx-1 products are composed of IEEE 1588-compliant software and IDT Synchronisation Management Unit (SMU) chips that deliver a complete telecom network synchronisation solution for IEEE 1588 and synchronous Ethernet.
Network synchronisation based on IEEE 1588 Telecom Boundary Clocks (T-BC) is said to be a practical and cost-effective alternative to deploying Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) antennas at every node in the network.IEEE 1588 Telecom Boundary Clocks compliant with ITU-T G.8273.2 enable the recovery of accurate frequency and phase/time information over a packet-based network.
The IDT T-BC hardware is claimed to be deterministic, simpler and more automated than alternative silicon solutions as it requires less external processor intervention. The hardware/software solution includes an IEEE 1588 protocol stack, clock recovery servos for frequency and phase/time, and clock synthesis hardware with physical layer frequency support.
“Packet-based synchronisation has historically been challenging for system designers to implement because it requires a broad range of specialised technology and needs to meet stringent network standards,” said Louise Gaulin, vice president and general manager of IDT’s Network Communications Division. “The 82P339xx-1 products were specifically engineered to be easy to use, flexible and to comply with the latest generation of packet-based synchronisation standards.”
The 82P339xx-1 SMUs are said to automatically filter IEEE 1588 phase/time information and combine it with physical layer frequency information in accordance with ITU-T G.8273.2 to generate accurate, stable and low-jitter clocks. The phase/time and frequency filters are implemented in hardware to ensure deterministic filter bandwidths, eliminating the need for additional software processing.
The 82P339xx-1 series is designed for applications including base stations, access equipment, routers, switches, optical equipment and servers.
Author
Tom Austin-Morgan
Source: www.newelectronics.co.uk