ClockMatrix system synchroniser delivers Class D compliance for O-RAN S-Plane

Renesas Electronics Corporation's 8A34001 System Synchronizer for IEEE 1588 is employed within the AMD Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC DFE ZCU670 Evaluation Kit and reference design for 5G NR.

The product is part of the company's ClockMatrix Family of high-performance, precision timing solutions created to simplify clock designs for high-speed applications. The device generates ultra-low jitter, precision timing signals based on the IEEE 1588 PTP and SyncE. It exceeds next-generation 5G radio requirements, including synchronisation and provides full ITU-T G.8273.2 T-BC/T-TSC class C and D compliance. It supplies open-source SYNCE4L and PCM4L, that is built on open-source PTP4L and device drivers already in a Linux kernel for the device. At the same time, competing solutions rely on proprietary software that is difficult for end-customers to integrate and customise onto their SW platforms.

The AMD ZCU670 is an evaluation and development platform based on Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC DFE, the latest AMD silicon for 5G NR aimed at FR1 and FR2 (mmWave) O-RAN applications.

The 8A34001 performance has been verified on the ZCU670 evaluation platform and exceeds the 5G system demands. The relevant compliance reports and test results are available from the company upon request. The solution will be available as part of the AMD O-RAN reference design, which is used to implement the S-plane functionality in an O-RU reference design.

"We're delighted that AMD chose our ClockMatrix Family as the timing platform for the Zynq RFSoC DFE Kit, the industry's premier development platform for 5G applications," said Zaher Baidas, vice president of the Timing Products Division at Renesas. "It's a testament to the performance of our devices as well the ease-of-use and design support that enables customers to reduce development time and effort."

"Our close collaboration with Renesas provides the key functionality for our O-RU reference designs," said Brendan Farley, corporate vice president of Wireless Engineering at AMD. "We believe working with Renesas as an ecosystem partner to deliver verified and supported solutions will greatly reduce our mutual wireless customers' development efforts."