Precise Time Synchronization Using IEEE 1588 for LXI Applications

Next generation test systems are converging on Ethernet as the primary interconnect for data acquisition and instrument control. The emerging LXI standard relies on IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) to synchronize distributed and large channel-count measurement systems over Ethernet. The authors of this paper present the results of synchronization tests using hardware time-stamping and the IEEE 1588 protocol. They discuss the limitations, advantages, and disadvantages of using PTP for time and frequency distribution; consider PTP performance under various network topologies and traffic scenarios; and share the test results of PTP performance over networks comprised of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) network switches and hubs versus PTP-optimized devices.