Subnanosecond synchronization method based on the synchronous Ethernet network

Abstract

Ethernet networks, which are widely used today in the automation of various radio electronic devices, can be used to transmit time synchronization signals. Existing Ethernet networks can be used to synchronize devices. However, the devices have to support special protocols at the hardware level. A time synchronization algorithm based on the Precision Time Protocol (PTP, IEEE 1588-2008) is considered, which can be used in any data transmission network with a deterministic delay in the transmission line. The use of this protocol in synchronous Ethernet networks allows achieving subnanosecond accuracy of time synchronization between the devices. Hardware and software implementation as well as the results of measuring the synchronization accuracy with multiple system restarts and phase noise measurement are presented.