Implementation of FPGA-Based Network Synchronization Using IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP)

Synchronization is an essential prerequisite for all wired and wireless networks to operate. It is fundamental requirement for data integrity, and without it data will be affected by errors and networks will have outages. The IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) enables precise synchronization of clocks via packet networks with accuracy down to the nanoseconds range. PTP-based solution can be used in various heterogeneous systems like industrial automation, RADAR, Telecom networks. FPGA-based implementation of PTP eliminates Ethernet latency and jitter issues through hardware Timestamping. It gives precise and accurate synchronization in comparison with Operating System-based Timestamping solutions. Accuracy in the range of 10–100 ns is achievable using FPGA-based platform. This paper explains basic mechanism of PTP protocol and advantages of FPGA-based platform for its implementation. It provides detail implementation of PTP on FPGA platform, design flow, testing methodology and its results.