TimeProvider® 4500 Series

Most Advanced Grandmaster Platform for High Accuracy, High-Speed Networking and High Capacity

The TimeProvider 4500 (TP4500) series represents the first of its kind in the world to incorporate the IEEE® 1588 PTP Grandmaster, equipped with high-speed network interfaces capable of supporting Ethernet speeds up to 25 Gbps. It offers the versatility to select from 1 GbE, 10 GbE, or 25 GbE connectivity options. This advanced hardware platform also facilitates supreme time precision, with accuracy finer than one nanosecond.

Operators within critical sectors such as 5G telecommunications, utilities, and transport are increasingly required to enhance their networks with technology that not only offers greater processing speeds but also delivers precise timing independent of GPS. There’s a growing demand for a land-based alternative to GPS capable of distributing exact time across distances of up to 1,000 kilometers, thereby ensuring improved accuracy.

The TimeProvider 4500 series is designed to seamlessly integrate with a variety of network elements from different generations. Operators have the flexibility to connect the TP4500 with a mix of 1 GbE, 10 GbE, and 25 GbE network devices. As the requirement for network equipment to support at least 10 Gbps (and in certain instances, up to 100 Gbps) grows, the TP4500 meets this need with its capability to handle high-speed bandwidth essential for modern systems.

The TimeProvider 4500 excels in PTP (Precision Time Protocol) capacity, with its hardware designed to scale up and efficiently support a large number of clients under the IEEE 1588 protocol. While high capacity might not always be a requirement, especially with 5G mmWave technology at network edges, C-band 5G deployments often demand a mix of reach and capacity to effectively cover thousands of gNodeB base stations. The TP4500 can adapt to serve a diverse number of gNodeB base stations, offering a cost-effective solution that scales with your needs.

With an exceptional time accuracy, the TimeProvider 4500 presents a viable, cost-efficient terrestrial alternative to GNSS. It leverages existing optical network infrastructures to distribute precise timing over extensive distances, eliminating the necessity for GPS setups at every node.

Positioned as a central component for implementing the virtual PRTC (vPRTC) framework alongside the BlueSky™ Firewall, TimeCesium®, TimePictra®, and the TP4100, the TP4500 is a significant advancement. Building on the TP4100, it introduces new features while retaining compatibility with its predecessor’s capabilities, ensuring continued value from previous investments in TP4100 firmware.

KEY FEATURES

• Enhancements such as the latest generation of synthesizer to enable the system to move into the picosecond realm and our latest generation PolarFire^® SoC FPGA to ensure increased performance
• Higher IEEE 1588 scalability to implement thousands of clients
• Supports Precision Time Protocol (PTP), Network Time Protocol (NTP) and SyncE
• Meets Primary Reference Time Clock (PRTC) Class A, Class B and enhanced PRTC (ePRTC) requirements and exceeds Class D for multi-domain boundary clocks
• Reliable, fanless passive thermal operation
• Redundancy via software mechanism using two active and standby units
• Patented, enhanced Assisted Partial Timing Support (APTS) with Automatic Asymmetry Compensation (AAC)
• Strong security and performance monitoring