Key infrastructure such as utilities, transportation, and mobile networks rely on time to achieve network synchronization. The main source of time is national time service systems such as Global Positioning System (GPS), but GPS signals are susceptible to interference and deception attacks. In order to continue providing secure timing solutions for critical infrastructure operators, Microchip Technology Today Releases TimeProvider ® 4100 Master Clock V2.4 firmware with embedded BlueSky ™ The firewall function can detect potential threats and verify GNSS before using signals as a time benchmark.

Randy Brudzinski, Vice President of Microchip's Frequency and Time Systems Business Unit, said, "Security is crucial for operators; ensuring that the time benchmark used by the master clock is a valid signal and trustworthy is crucial.". The TimeProvider 4100 main clock is embedded with a BlueSky GPS firewall, providing our customers with an economically efficient solution that can effectively prevent deception, interference, and other threats that may compromise the effectiveness of GNSS signals

New IEEE for TimeProvider 4100 master clock in version 2.4 ® The 1588 power configuration file enables gateway functionality between PTP Telecom and power configuration files. With this device, utility companies can connect communication and substation networks to support the integration of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) networks, continuously advancing the modernization of operators.

The number of emerging dedicated networks continues to grow in various places such as factories, sports venues, and mines. The 2.4 version of TimeProvider 4100 series is equipped with Time Sensitive Network (TSN) configuration file 802.1.AS, which can synchronize these dedicated networks. This feature provides a more accurate and autonomous time system for dedicated networks to coordinate IoT devices.

According to their unique deployment requirements, operators need the main clock to scale from supporting a very small number of clients to supporting a large number of clients. The 2.4 version TP4100 can serve 2000 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) clients and provide precise time synchronization for a large number of base stations without the need to deploy multiple master clocks.

With the aging of existing traditional communication signal equipment, it is necessary to migrate them to modern modular architectures. The 2.4 version TimeProvider 4100 main clock provides a new operating mode, including filtering traditional input signals and providing the ability to act as a synchronization supply unit (SSU), enabling large SSU environments to migrate to the TimeProvider server architecture. This will transform PTP The large-scale integration of new protocols such as NTP and SyncE with traditional signals enables operators to retain traditional services while providing modern synchronization signals to support updated network architectures.

For synchronous solutions serving critical infrastructure, recovery capability is essential. Malfunctions may lead to a decrease or complete loss of service quality, thereby affecting customer satisfaction. Software redundancy helps improve the recovery capability of the TimeProvider 4100 series master clock, as it can synchronize two master clock devices in active/standby mode. If the active device fails, the standby device can provide service to network customers. Another important and valuable feature of the 2.4 TimeProvider 4100 master clock is the addition of redundant mode, allowing two devices to operate in active/active mode, providing flexibility based on customer preferences. Customers who adopt the "active/active" mode can benefit from two main clock devices always running, while the "active/standby" configuration means that one device is not in use and is in standby mode.

2.4 TimeProvider 4100 Master Clock and TimePictra ® The integration of synchronization management system allows users to have a comprehensive understanding of the synchronization operation and health status of the entire network.

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