Performance Evaluation of PTP in Switched Ethernet Networks

Most of the developing applications and futuristic applications such as robotic surgeries, advanced driver assistance systems, cloud-based gaming, etc. are developed using switched Ethernet networks and have timing constraints along with reliable data delivery. Precision Time Protocol is a time synchronization protocol that helps to achieve the hard real-time constraints in various applications. PTP will distribute the Time-of-Day information network devices without the requirement of external dedicated hardware for timing distribution. Evaluating the performance of the network device that supports PTP in the Pre-Si stage is very important so that necessary changes to design can be done at early stages. The performance evaluation is done using timing parameters cTE (Constant Time Error) and dTE (Dynamic Time Error), which are obtained using inaccuracies in the network such as Packet Delay variation and asymmetry in design, etc. Based on timing parameters the network device’s performance with the Class C standard defined by International Telecom Unit (ITU) will be evaluated. The timing accuracy requirement for the PTP Class C standard is cTE<10ns, dTE<20ns.