Upgrading Your TimeSource® Primary Reference Clock (PRC) to a TimeProvider® 4100 Grandmaster Clock
Communications network operators who are struggling with supporting legacy GPS-dependent PRCs will now be able to upgrade with resilient PNT-based TimeProvider® 4100 grandmaster clock.
Upgrading Legacy GPS PRCs With Resilient TimeProvider 4100
Communications networks worldwide rely on legacy GPS-based Primary Reference Clocks (PRCs) in their core networks such as the TimeSource® PRC series. The entire network synchronization hierarchy traces back to these highly stable core clocks that are now manufacturer-discontinued, creating increasingly difficult network support challenges. Operators now have a new choice to upgrade their core PRCs to a resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) solution with the TimeProvider® 4100 grandmaster clock.
Numerous operators are deploying next generation TimeProvider 4100 grandmaster clocks for future IP based synchronization and timing requirements such as IEEE® 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) and Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE). The core of these next-generation office grandmaster clocks is a fully PRC compliant engine that replaces legacy PRC capabilities such as prior-generation TimeSource PRC clocks. Unlike legacy PRC systems, these next-generation office grandmaster clocks add security hardened resilient-PNT monitoring with BlueSky™ GNSS spoofing and jamming detection as well as PTP back-up from redundant network timing feeds in the case of a local outage or GNSS security detection. The time is now to protect your network.
In addition to base level PRC support with programmable T1, E1 and Composite Clock (CC) outputs, the TimeProvider 4100 is a fully compliant Primary Reference Time Clock (PRTC) making it ready for the latest time and phase synchronization requirements as your network evolves and grows.
Why are legacy GPS dependent PRC clocks a security and reliability threat for communication operators? Table 1 illustrates the top concerns with legacy GPS PRC clocks.
Table 1. Threat description and mitigation tactic
Risk/Threat |
Exposure |
Mitigation |
GPS Jamming |
GPS signals are easily jammed either intentionally or unintentionally. Current geopolitical events have shown that jamming is much more commonplace than previously envisioned. |
Resilient PNT systems must be able to switch to a back-up such as redundant PTP network feeds supported by the TimeProvider 4100 grandmaster clock. |
GPS Spoofing |
Nefarious GPS spoofing security threats are on the rise and are much more difficult to detect. Spoofing can potentially pull clocks out of synchronization and result in network outages. |
Advanced GPS monitoring such as the BlueSky GNSS firewall technology enables the TimeProvider 4100 system to detect spoofing threats in real time and switch to alternate synchronization references. |
Antenna Damage |
GPS antennas are mounted on roof tops and exposed to weather, storms and lightning damage resulting in systems going into holdover operation with no backup reference to lock to. |
TimeProvider 4100 systems can switch to redundant PTP feeds if the local GPS antenna is damaged. Back-up PTP sites can even be traceable to core ePRTC sites offering the highest level of resiliency and protection. |
Equipment age |
Many legacy office PRC systems have been in service for over 20 years, far exceeding the expected service life. This creates an increasingly onerous and expensive maintenance burden for operators. |
Lower cost and highly reliable TimeProvider 4100 systems can modernize the operator’s core PRC clocks with new electronics with field proven MTBF levels of 2,666,304 hours. |
Lack of support for PTP and SyncE |
Legacy PRC only clocks need to be upgraded to support PRTC requirements. |
Upgrading to PRTC compliant TimeProvider 4100 grandmaster clocks makes you ready for PTP and SyncE timing requirements. |
High-Level Procedure for Upgrading the Office PRC to a New TimeProvider 4100 Grandmaster Clock
The good news is that it is very easy to replace a legacy office PRC with a new TimeProvider 4100 grandmaster clock. The office PRC is generally located in the same rack as the Building Integrated Timing Supply (BITS) or Synchronization Supply Unit (SSU) distribution clocks that take their primary reference from the PRC clock. Below is a simplified five-step process to replace a legacy TimeSource PRC with a new TimeProvider 4100 grandmaster clock.
- Install and configure the TimeProvider 4100 grandmaster clock in the rack near the legacy PRC.
- Install and connect the new rooftop antenna for the TimeProvider 4100 system. Note: that the TimeProvider 4100 system is not compatible with the legacy TimeSource PRC antenna electronics.
- Confirm that the TimeProvider 4100 system is fully locked to GPS and alarm free.
- Schedule maintenance window time to disconnect the BITS/SSU distribution clock from the legacy PRC and reconnect it to the TimeProvider 4100 system.
- The BITS/SSU systems will switch to backup references or enter holdover with associated alarms when the legacy PRC is disconnected. Confirm that the BITS/SSU locks to the TimeProvider 4100 grandmaster, and all alarms have cleared.
We have developed detailed procedures for exact equipment replacement scenarios. Please contact your Microchip representative for examples of detailed procedures.
TimeProvider 4100 Grandmaster Overview and Comparison to a Legacy TimeSource PRC
Table 2 provides a full side by side comparison of the TimeProvider 4100 grandmaster to a legacy TimeSource 3000 series PRC. Figure 1 shows a detailed overview of the TimeProvider 4100 grandmaster clock.
Table 2. TimeSource 3000 PRC vs. TimeProvider 4100 Grandmaster
Functionality |
TimeSource 3000 series PRC |
TimeProvider 4100 Grandmaster |
PRC ITU-T G.811 |
Yes |
Yes |
PRTC ITU-T G.8272 |
|
Yes (PRTC-A and PRTC-B) |
ePRTC ITU-T G.8272.1 |
|
Yes (when deployed with a collocated cesium standard ePRC clock) |
GNSS |
GPS only |
Full GNSS (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, Beidou user selectable) |
BlueSky GNSS spoofing and jamming protection |
|
Yes |
Antenna |
Custom IF antenna (roof, wall, or window versions) |
Standard L1/L5 antenna (roof top only) |
T1/E1/CC outputs |
Up to 10 |
Up to 20 |
IEEE 1588 PTP |
|
Yes (input and output) |
SyncE ITU-T G.8261 |
|
Yes |
 |
Figure 1. Overview of the TimeProvider 4100 grandmaster clock (from TP4100 2.3 data sheet)
Migrate your critical services timing needs to a new modern platform that can serve your existing and future requirements as you evolve your timing and network infrastructure. To learn more about the TimeProvider 4100 grandmaster clock, please visit our web page.