New ultra low-Jitter network synchronizers expand IEEE 1588 portfolio

Microsemi has announced three new devices in its portfolio of IEEE 1588 products, which include two single-channel ultra low-jitter network synchronizers, ZL30721 and ZL30722, as well as a dual-channel version, ZL30723.The new network synchronizers feature Microsemi’s leading IEEE 1588 software and are footprint compatible with the company’s recently released ZL30621, ZL30622 and ZL30623 Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE) devices, offering customers a simple and cost-effective migration path from G.8262 SyncE compliance to IEEE 1588 compliance. The ZL30721, ZL30722 and ZL30723 each offer a combined hardware and software platform including IEEE 1588-2008 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) stack, synchronization algorithm and Microsemi's system synchronizer clock generation hardware. They boast jitter performance of 0.25 pico seconds (ps) root mean square (rms) and integrated electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) for self-configuration at start-up. The single-channel ZL30722 device also features a compact 5x5 millimeter (mm) package. Combined, these features offer compelling solutions for space-constrained, high-volume IEEE 1588 applications, says the company. “Our new IEEE 1588 network synchronizers are our smallest and lowest jitter devices to date. They provide a simple, cost-effective solution that helps expand both Microsemi’s customer base and the number of applications our products can support,” said Maamoun Seido, vice president and business unit manager, timing products, Microsemi. The ZL30721, ZL30722 and ZL30723 are ideal for a wide range of applications, including small cell routers and switches, broadband access, carrier Ethernet equipment and wireless equipment such as base stations and backhaul equipment, as well as smart grids and synchrophasors. Market research firm Infonetics is forecasting unit shipments of service provider small cells to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35 percent between 2015 and 2018. Microsemi’s protocol engine and time synchronization algorithm runs on a variety of host processor architectures and is combined with an accurate timestamping unit, such as a Microsemi 1588-capable PHY or switch, and one of the new system synchronizers to provide the complete IEEE 1588 implementation. The ZL30721 and ZL30722 have three input references and generate up to three differential, or six single-ended output clocks, while the ZL30723 has six input references and generates up to six differential or 12 single-ended output clocks says the company.