What is BS IEC 61588‒ Precision Clock Synchronization Protocol about?
BS IEC 61588 is an international standard that deals with the precision time protocol.
BS IEC 61588 defines a network protocol, the Precision Time Protocol (PTP), enabling accurate and precise synchronization of the real-time clocks of devices in networked distributed systems.
The protocol is applicable to systems where devices communicate via networks, including Ethernet.
BS IEC 61588 allows multicast communication, unicast communication, or both. It specifies requirements for mapping the protocol to specific network implementations and defines such mappings, including User Datagram Protocol (UDP)/Internet Protocol (IP versions 4 and 6), and layer-2 IEEE 802.3 Ethernet.
BS IEC 61588 defines all needed data types, message formats, required computations, internal states, the behavior of devices with respect to transmitting, receiving, and processing protocol communications. It provides for the management of protocol artifacts in devices and defines formal mechanisms for message extensions and the requirements for profiles that allow customization for specific application domains.
Note: BS IEC 61588 documents conditions, under which it is backward compatible with IEEE 1588-2008.
Who is BS IEC 61588‒ Precision Clock Synchronization Protocol for?
BS IEC 61588 on Precision Clock Synchronization Protocol is useful for:
- Mobile network base stations
- Telecom carrier companies
- Broadband access networks
Why should you use BS IEC 61588‒ Precision Clock Synchronization Protocol?
The Precision Clock Synchronization Protocol enables heterogeneous systems that include clocks of various inherent precision, resolution, and stability to synchronize to a grandmaster clock. It supports synchronization in the sub-microsecond range with minimal network bandwidth and local clock computing resources.
BS IEC 61588 specifies the process of making corrections for path asymmetry if the asymmetry values are known. It talks about the synchronization of the grandmaster to a source of time external, to the system if time traceable to international standards or another source of time is required.
BS IEC 61588 provides you with the information for devices to compute Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) from the protocol distributed time if the grandmaster is traceable to international standards and is able to access pending leap-second changes. It also provides options to allow end devices to compute other time scales from the protocol distributed time scale.
BS IEC 61588 defines timing domains in which system timing is consistent. The protocol establishes the timing topology. The default behavior of the protocol allows simple systems to be installed and operated without requiring the administrative attention of users to determine the system timing topology.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS IEC 61588:2021 supersedes BS IEC 61588:2008, which is withdrawn.