In co-operation with STMicroelectronics, IXXAT offers an adapted version of its IEEE 1588-2008 protocol software for the STM3210C-EVAL Evaluation board. The software as binary code is available for download and thus enables a quick and easy introduction to the IEEE 1588 technology.

The STM32F107is a microcontroller by STMicroelectronics that implements IEEE1588 hardware timestamp support in the Ethernet MAC layer. Both time stamping and implementation of an adjustable real-time clock in hardware enables a synchronization accuracy in the nanosecond range.

During a long-term test, the system reached, back-to-back synchronized with a precise Master (2 ppm quartz) at a synchronization interval of 0,125 sec, an accuracy of +/- 60 nsec (maximum deviation). The standard deviation of the offset between the nodes is 15 nsec. The startup and the synchronization are done very fast. Normally up to 20 synchronization intervals are required to become synchronized.

Fig. 1: Start of the synchronization process
 

The following diagram shows the offset from the master values after the synchronization initiation of a long term test.



Fig. 2: Offset from master values in synchronized status


The following diagram shows the offset from master value distribution of the long-term test:


Fig. 3: Distribution of the offset from master values


The IXXAT IEEE1588 stack offers a large number of configuration possibilities and completely implements the IEEE1588-2008 standard. The stack has a management API, via which a management device can be implemented. Configuration for a boundary clock  or transparent clock  with any number of Ethernet interfaces is also possible.

Further Information about the STM3210C-EVAL evaluation board can be found here .

The latest version of the IEEE 1588 binary code for the STM3210C Evaluation board can be found in the following. Access data is required for the download, which you can request here: Access data