Microchip launches the industry's first main clock product, TimeProvider, which provides high-speed network interfaces up to 25 Gbps ® 4500 series

Further expand its IEEE ®- The 1588 main clock product combination can achieve precise time accuracy of less than 1 nanosecond

 

Operators of key infrastructure sub markets such as 5G telecommunications, power facilities, and transportation need to continuously upgrade their networks using technologies that provide higher processing speeds and high-precision time sources, while not relying on global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) star clusters such as GPS, GALILEO, and QZSS. In order to provide ground alternatives for network operators to distribute high-precision time, Microchip announced today the launch of a new TimeProvider ®  4500 main clock products. This is a hardware timing platform that can provide high-speed network interfaces up to 25 Gbps and achieve precise time accuracy of less than 1 nanosecond.

 

The TimeProvider 4500 main clock supports ultra large capacity Precision Time Protocol (PTP) tasks. The innovative hardware platform can provide higher IEEE-1588 scalability for thousands of clients. It is crucial to be able to provide services to thousands of gNodeBs through a single master clock in network locations that require balancing range and capacity, i.e. in C-band 5G deployments. Depending on the specific location, the master clock can provide services to a very small or large number of gNodeB base stations. Regardless of scale, operators can achieve cost-effective and flexible deployment.

 

The TimeProvider 4500 main clock can be flexibly connected to various generations of network elements, helping to protect the infrastructure investment of operators. The TimeProvider 4500 is the first 1588 master clock to support 25 Gbps. Customers can use 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps, or 25 Gbps network links to connect the TimeProvider 4500 clock to various network devices. As network element upgrades move towards devices that require at least 10 Gbps and sometimes even up to 100 Gbps, high-speed bandwidth is crucial.

 

The extremely high time accuracy of the TimeProvider 4500 master clock is particularly important when operators attempt to deploy GNSS alternative solutions. Ground solutions are often considered an attractive solution that can utilize existing optical network deployments to avoid reliance on global navigation satellite systems and achieve high-precision long-distance transmission in a cost-effective manner. Long distance transmission means that the precision requirements for time signal sources and regeneration are becoming increasingly high.

 

The TimeProvider 4500 main clock features new hardware assistance enhancements, such as the latest generation digital synthesizer and Microchip's PolarFire ®  SoC FPGA. These platform enhancements enable the system's time accuracy to reach the picosecond level.

 

Randy Brudzinski, Vice President of the Frequency and Time Systems Business Unit at Microchip, said, "Microchip is constantly developing new innovative time and frequency solutions for critical infrastructure. Our designed TimeProvider 4500 clock can provide higher timing accuracy in existing optical network environments without the need for expensive upgrades or dedicated dark fiber. This solution is also the first master clock with up to 25 Gbps high-speed data processing capabilities that can connect to the latest network elements in deployment."

 

The advanced hardware platform of TimeProvider 4500 master clock supports all functions of TimeProvider 4100 clock, ensuring that operators deploying new products can also benefit from investing in TimeProvider 4100 series. TP4500 has added some special features on top of TP4100 due to its enhanced hardware platform.

 

The TimeProvider 4500 main clock integrates TimePictra ® Synchronous management solution enables operators to monitor and track real-time faults and threats, and understand the overall network situation. The other main features of the TimePictra platform include comprehensive fault, configuration, accounting (inventory), performance and safety (FCAPS) management functions; Geographic topology and domain navigation; User preference dashboard customization, easy to manage intuitive web graphical user interface, etc.

 

The TimeProvider 4500 series is the latest Microchip IEEE-1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) master clock product, with industry-leading performance and value. These on-site validated solutions can meet the timing requirements from low-density indoor applications to high-capacity 5G networks.

 

Supply and Pricing

The TimeProvider 4500 main clock is now available on the market. For more information and to make a purchase, please contact a Microchip sales representative or authorized distributor.