Semtech intros SyncE hybrid mode and single-chip boundary clock

CAMARILLO, USA: Semtech Corp., a leading supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors, announced the release of a new ToPSync firmware update for the ACS9510.

Semtech’s TopSync platform provides signal timing for legacy and next-generation wireless networks. The platform delivers a complete IEEE1588v2 precision time protocol (PTP) solution that makes it possible for wireless carriers to build their backhaul networks using low-cost Ethernet-based wireless services.

The ACS9510 is a 360 pin, 20 mm x 20 mm, 1 mm pitch multi-role device that can be used to provide synchronous equipment timing source (SETS) functionality in traditional TDM equipment (TDM timing mode) as well as standards-based timing for equipment used in packet switched networks (PTP grandmaster and PTP slave modes). The ToPSync version 5.1 firmware release implements major advances in time alignment performance while enabling significant savings in cost.

ACS9510 is a fully integrated and configurable synchronization platform. Thanks to its ability to perform as a PTP master, slave or boundary clock as well as natively manage layer one clocks, the ACS9510 can operate in any point of the timing delivery network. Internal ITU-compliant SETS functions reduce the necessity for external components, such as PLLs or frequency translators, because the ACS9510 manages all layer one sync requirements.

The ToPSync software is self-contained within the ACS9510 device and no real-time process is required on any external CPU. The combination of embedded PLLs and algorithms makes the ACS9510 simple to integrate, allowing wireless equipment customers to meet tight time-to-market requirements.

“We are excited by the major advances in time alignment performance and significant cost savings brought by release 5.1. Throughout trials with tier one carriers, the innovative hybrid Sync-E/PTP algorithm performed with an accuracy better than 100 nanoseconds even with low cost TCXOs,” said Rich Lansdowne, director of Advanced Communications at Semtech. “Release 5.1 also allows a single ACS9510 to operate as a fully compliant IEEE 1588 boundary clock offering carriers unparalleled flexibility of deployment.”

The newly released ToPSync 5.1 firmware enables a single ACS9510 device to operate as a full IEEE 1588 boundary clock via two independently configurable slave and master PTP ports. Release 5.1 marks the introduction of hybrid mode, a new operation where an external clock, such as sync-Ethernet 25 MHz clock, is interleaved with PTP to deliver better time delivery performance than PTP alone.

Semtech system-on-chip timing solutions integrate custom designed algorithms and dedicated hardware in a single device to provide best-in-class accuracy, reliability and implementation cost for systems vendors. Sub-microsecond timing accuracy is a critical requirement of modern telecom networks. The Semtech approach enables an overall timing architecture that network operators will find both flexible and of the highest performance.