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TimeProvider® 4100 Series

Learn About Our TimeProvider® 4100 Series


Critical infrastructure communication networks require highly accurate, resilient and secure IEEE® 1588-compliant Grandmasters for precise time and synchronization to avoid interferences and optimize the wireless spectrum. Our TimeProvider 4100 series is an innovative and flexible hardware platform with unique differentiating software options and multiple operation modes that you can deploy at core sites, aggregation sites, fronthaul or backhaul. Our TP4100 is an investment in a platform that will evolve with industry needs. 

virtual Primary Reference Time Clock (vPRTC) Architecture

Key Features


Our TP4100 is an IEEE 1588 v2 PTP Grandmaster with PTP, NTP and SyncE capabilities. It meets Primary Reference Time Clock Class A, Class B and enhanced Primary Reference Time Clock (ePRTC) specifications and exceeds Class D specifications for multi-domain boundary clocks. Here are some key features of our TP4100:

  • High capacity: 2,000 PTP unicast timeReceiver clocks at 128 PPS 
  • Reliable fanless passive thermal operation
  • Redundancy via two software mechanism choices using two units, either in active/standby mode or in active/active mode
  • Patented enhanced APTS with Automatic Asymmetry Compensation (AAC)
  • Embedded GNSS firewall (BlueSky® technology) for anti-jamming, anti-spoofing protection
  • Support for industry-specific profiles for power and Time Sensitive Network (TSN) markets
  • Synchronization Supply Unit (SSU) operation mode to filter legacy signals inputs, such as E1/T1, for jitter and wander
  • Support for the TimeProvider XT extension to provide legacy signal port fanout to up to 200 E1/T1/CC/JCC ports
  • Zero Trust security Grandmaster with strong differentiated timing security
  • Support for Certificate Authority (CA)-issued X.509 certificates for secure WebGUI operation
  • Performance monitoring for phase and legacy signals
Our TP4100 is an IEEE 1588 v2 PTP Grandmaster with PTP, NTP and SyncE capabilities. It meets Primary Reference Time Clock Class A, Class B and enhanced Primary Reference Time Clock (ePRTC) specifications and exceeds Class D specifications for multi-domain boundary clocks. Here are some key features of our TP4100:  High capacity: 2,000 PTP unicast timeReceiver clocks at 128 PPS  Reliable fanless passive thermal operation Redundancy via two software mechanism choices using two units, either in active/standby mode or in active/active mode Patented enhanced APTS with Automatic Asymmetry Compensation (AAC) Embedded GNSS firewall (BlueSky™ technology) for anti-jamming, anti-spoofing protection Support for industry-specific profiles for power and Time Sensitive Network (TSN) markets Synchronization Supply Unit (SSU) operation mode to filter legacy signals inputs, such as E1/T1, for jitter and wander Support for the TimeProvider XT extension to provide legacy signal port fanout to up to 200 E1/T1/CC/JCC ports Zero Trust security Grandmaster with strong differentiated timing security Support for Certificate Authority (CA)-issued X.509 certificates for secure WebGUI operation Performance monitoring for phase and legacy signals

Product Highlights


In the virtual Primary Reference Time Clock (vPRTC) architecture, to minimize the dependency on GNSS, receivers are only required in the core enhanced Primary Reference Timing Clock (ePRTC) sites where they can be protected and monitored to shield the network from the risk of GNSS jamming or spoofing threats.

The TP4100 is also capable of getting its time reference from national metrology labs.

The vPRTC architecture ensures redundancy via bi-directional east and west timing flows to local source clocks in aggregation sites with 100 ns of accuracy.

TP4100 provides configuration, status monitoring and integration with up to five TimeProvider XT extension shelves for a maximum of 200 E1/T1/CC/JCC output ports.

You can configure our TP4100 clock in the following ways:

  • As a gateway clock to serve timing flow toward 5G Remote Radio Heads (RRHs) as well as for various types of input and output flexibility
  • As a high-performance boundary clock to deliver high accuracy over a secure optical network—meets Class D (5 ns) accuracy and is capable of an average 1 ns accuracy, meeting 15 ns accuracy for a chain of 15 boundary clocks
  • In ePRTC operation mode to provide 30 ns accuracy at the source of timing chain (now capable of a 40-day holdover)
  • In SSU operation mode, the TP4100 can filter the legacy inputs for jitter/wander

Key Product Benefits


Migration from Traditional BITS/SSU Deployments

Migration From Traditional BITS/SSU Deployments

The TimeProvider 4100 can connect to the external TimeProvider XT extension shelves to easily migrate from BIT/SSU deployments to a modern TP4100-based architecture.

We recommended having two TP4100 Grandmasters in active/active-redundant mode that are connected to multiple cascaded TimeProvider XT extension shelves to provide large-scale E1/T1/CC/JCC output fanout capabilities. Up to five TimeProvider XT extension shelves can be cascaded for a maximum of 200 legacy signals output ports.

For more information, please check the TimeProvider XT extension product page. 

Protection Against Jamming and Spoofing

Protection Against Jamming and Spoofing

The TimeProvider 4100 Grandmaster’s embedded BlueSky™ technology option detects GPS jamming- and spoofing-related anomalies in real time to protect essential time and frequency outputs. Alarms are triggered when unexpected changes are detected and trust is compromised. The BlueSky technology detectors respond to protect the integrity of the TP4100’s time and frequency outputs.

Market-Specific Profiles

Market-Specific Profiles

For power and utilities markets, the TimeProvider 4100 supports all PTP telecommunication profiles to be deployed on the communication network of the infrastructure. The TimeProvider 4100 also supports power profiles such as IEEE C37.238-2017, IEEE C37.238-2011 and IEC/IEEE 61850-9-3:2016 as well as Parallel Redundancy Protocol (PRP) for deployments at the substations.

For Time Sensitive Network (TSN) deployments such as 5G private networks, the TimeProvider 4100 supports the latest IEEE 802.1.AS-2020 standard.

Holdover Performance Choice

Holdover Performance Choice

We offer three types of oscillators—OCXOs, super OCXOs and atomic clock rubidium oscillators—for your desired holdover time to enable continued operation in case GNSS is down or compromised.

 

Flexible Architecture

Flexible Architecture

We offer nine hardware models. Our rich base platform offers many types of ports (4 × E1/T1, 2 × RJ45 1 GE, 6 × SFP 1 GE, 2 × 1 pps/ToD, 1 GNSS and 1 craft). Two optional expansion modules can complement the base unit: one module offers 16 legacy ports with E1/T1/CC/JCC outputs and the other module offers a combination of 1GE/10 GE/100 MB FE Ethernet outputs.

virtual Primary Reference Time Clock (vPRTC) architecture

Resiliency

Dual-power input, fanless operation, support for multiband GNSS and patented active thermal compensation technology all contribute to a resilient platform. Redundancy is provided by a unique software solution with fast switching from the standby unit to the active unit in case of device failure. 

Security

Security

Our TimeProvider 4100 clock supports industry standards for Authorization, Authentication and Accounting (AAA) such as TACACS+, Radius and Radius two-factor authentication. Our TP4100 clock also supports the IEEE 1588 2.1 2019 security standard and offers enhanced security with password complexity requirements, support for Access Control Lists (ACLs), resolved Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) exposures and Certificate Authority (CA)-issued X.509 certificates for secure WebGUI operation.

Synchronization Management and Monitoring

Synchronization Management and Monitoring

Our TimePictra® Synchronization Management System and CLI manage the TP4100 grandmaster. We also offer webGUI for a user-friendly display of monitoring, configuration and results.

Enhanced Primary Reference Time Clock (ePRTC)

Enhanced Primary Reference Time Clock (ePRTC)

You don’t need any hardware to enable ePRTC; all you need is a software license. The TP4100 clock in ePRTC operation mode meets ITU-T G.8272.1 30 ns time accuracy and creates a fully protected time scale when combined with a standard Cesium (Time Cesium 4400/4500) or high-performance Cesium (5071A) clock.

Secure and Accurate Time in Zero Trust Architecture

Secure and Accurate Time in Zero Trust Architecture

TimeProvider 4100 time Grandmasters ensure the security of time and its sources while complying with the fundamental pillars of zero trust, including users, devices, network and analytics.
TimeProvider® XT Extension System

TimeProvider® XT Extension System

A BITS/SSU fan-out shelf for TimeProvider 4x00 grandmaster that delivers 40-200 outputs of fully redundant synchronization.

Blogs


Read the following blogs to get answers to your questions about key precise timing topics.

1588 Grandmaster—Why Care About Your Engine?

1588 Grandmaster—Why Care About Your Engine?

Resilience in Timing—Do You Really Need Sacrifices?

Resilience in Timing—Do You Really Need Sacrifices?

You Received Your Enhanced Primary Reference Time Clock (ePRTC). Now What?

You Received Your Enhanced Primary Reference Time Clock (ePRTC). Now What?

Boundary Clock or Grandmaster? It’s Not “Or” – It’s “And”

Boundary Clock or Grandmaster? It’s Not “Or” – It’s “And”

Do I Really Need GNSS Timing Receivers in Every 5G Aggregation Site?

Do I Really Need GNSS Timing Receivers in Every 5G Aggregation Site?

Timing and Synchronization Products for Military 5G Applications

Timing and Synchronization Products for Military 5G Applications

Upgrading Your TimeSource® Primary Reference Clock (PRC) to a TimeProvider® 4100 Grandmaster Clock

Upgrading Your TimeSource® Primary Reference Clock (PRC) to a TimeProvider® 4100 Grandmaster Clock

Articles


Explore the following articles to learn more about resilient timing solutions and architectures.

A Matter of Time: Ensuring Precise Time and Synchronization for Critical Infrastructure

A Matter of Time: Ensuring Precise Time and Synchronization for Critical Infrastructure

Microchip Provides New Level of Redundancy for Timing Solutions

Microchip Provides New Level of Redundancy for Timing Solutions

Distributing High-Precision Time Over Optical Networks in the 5G World

Distributing High-Precision Time Over Optical Networks in the 5G World

5G Changes Network Timing Architectures

5G Changes Network Timing Architectures

How Virtual Primary Reference Time Clocks Improve 5G Network Timing

How Virtual Primary Reference Time Clocks Improve 5G Network Timing

Documentation


White Papers

Securing Critical Timing Infrastructure
TimeProvider® 4100 ePRTC Performance Compliance Report
TP4100 ePRTC Performance Report
Virtual Primary Reference Timing Clock (vPRTC) White Paper
The Enhanced Primary Reference Time Clock (ePRTC) as a Solution for GNSS Vulnerability
5G Services and Sync Importance
Main 5G ITU-T Standards Application Note
Five Best Practices for Deploying and Monitoring a Virtual Primary Reference Time Clock (vPRTC) Network
Upgrading Your Central Office Primary Reference Clock (PRC) to a Primary Reference Time Clock (PRTC)
Using UTC(k) from National Metrology Labs as a Resilient Alternative to GNSS for Critical Infrastructure

Data Sheets

TimeProvider 4100 Series Release 2.5
TimeProvider 4100 Series Release 2.4
TimeProvider Antenna Sell Sheet
TimeProvider-4100-Series-Release-2.6-00006159B.pdf
TimeProvider 4100 Series Release 2.3
TimeProvider 4100 and 4500 BlueSky Software Option

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