Berlin, March 27th, 2020
Accurate synchronization with gPTP
Kithara Software, specialist for PC-based real time, has announced support for gPTP (generalized Precision Time Protocol). This streamlined PTP profile can now also be accessed with Kithara RealTime Suite in order to accurately synchronize clocks within distributed systems. The use of gPTP is especially relevant for the synchronization of automotive Ethernet networks.
Building on the function for PTP (IEEE 1588), the Berlin-based company has now also integrated support for the profile gPTP (defined in IEEE 802.1AS) into its real-time system. On a basic level, both PTP and gPTP serve the same purpose, the highly accurate clock synchronization of all network participants in a distributed system. The main difference lies in their complexity as gPTP limits itself to a more straightforward set of functions, making it suitable for application in home, automation and automotive networks as well.
“The extension for gPTP is a necessary advancement that allows us to provide accurate real-time synchronization for a wider range of applications with Kithara RealTime Suite. The reduced complexity of gPTP is a deciding factor in ensuring stable performance and consistent interoperability, especially with regard to the increasingly important TSN technologies (Time-Sensitive Networking).” Uwe Jesgarz, managing director of Kithara Software, explained.
With gPTP, a number of features for time synchronization have been simplified compared to PTP. Whereas PTP requires every participant to be configured individually, gPTP standardizes clocks in general, thus preventing troubleshooting in case of differing configurations and therefore minimizing maintenance. Additionally, it also introduces performance requirements to improve stability and accuracy of synchronizations.
These generalizations also facilitate the implementation of synchronizations into networked automotive systems, namely the compatibility of automotive Ethernet with field busses such as FlexRay and CAN.
