syn1588® PCIe NIC Datasheet - Rev. Mar. 2017
pdfPTP Network Interface Cards

syn1588® PCIe NIC
The syn1588® PCIe NIC from Oregano Systems is a PCI Express Gbit network interface card with IEEE1588 hardware support. A PC (workstation or server) equipped with the syn1588® PCIe NIC receives highly accurate time (accuracy 10 ns) independent from network utilisation and CPU load without real-time requirements for the node’s operating system.
The syn1588® PCIe NIC acts as a standard 10/100/1000 MBit/s Network Interface Card (NIC). Beside the standard function of sending and receiving Ethernet packets the syn1588® PCIe NIC includes dedicated hardware to implement high accuracy clock synchronisation following the IEEE1588 standard.
The syn1588® PCIe NIC includes a full featured IEEE1588 hardware clock as well as complex timestamping hardware. All time critical elements of an IEEE1588 system are embedded in the syn1588® PCIe NIC thus removing all timing constraints from the software. There are no real-time requirements for the operating system or the software stack. Due to its special structure the CPU load for the required IEEE1588 stack (e.g. Oregano Systems syn1588® PTP Stack) is negligible.
- Clock synchronisation accuracy better than 10 ns
- Local hardware clock and optionally synchronized system clock
- Timestamping of:
- user defined Ethernet packets
- external (hardware) events
- internal (software) events
- Optional interrupt on timestamp event
- Hardware support for dense timestamp events
- Generation of:
- programmable frequency
- 1 PPS
- pseudo GPS data stream
- IRIG-B
- On-board jitter-cleaner PLL allowing generation of synchronized clean, accurate high-speed clocks
- Master or slave operation
- Synchronisation in master mode to absolute time reference (e.g. GPS receiver)
- Several high precision oscillator options
- Software for Windows/Linux/FreeBSD
Application: Distribute accurate time to IEEE1588 slaves
PCs equipped with the syn1588® PCIe NIC synchronise their local hardware clock with an accuracy of 10 ns or better to the absolute time information distributed by an IEEE1588 grandmaster.
Application: Implement an IEEE1588 grandmaster
A PC equipped with the syn1588® PCIe NIC may act as an IEEE1588 Grandmaster on your network. The syn1588® PCIe NIC may synchronise its local hardware clock to an external absolute time reference like e.g. a GPS receiver.
- 1-lane PCI Express low-profile card (version 2.0, compatible with 1.1)
- 10/100/1000 MBit/s Ethernet NIC
- Standard copper network or SFP type fibre interface
- Sophisticated CPU interface removing timing constraints from the control software (allows using non-real-time operating systems)
- Two user programmable input/output signals on SMA connectors on PCI bracket (trigger, 1 PPS, period, event)
- Two more user programmable input/output signals available internally
- Generation of user defined periodical signals (frequencies)
- Generation of user defined a-periodical signals (single events)
- Generation of 1PPS signal and IRIG-B data stream
- Timestamping of dense external hardware events
- On-board jitter cleaner PLL for generation of accurate, high-speed clock signals (up to 156 MHz)
- New with revision 2.1: Optionally external clock input that drives the syn1588®
- User programmable time stamper for Ethernet packets
- Oregano Systems’ patented 1-step timestamping
- VLAN and IPv6 support for IEEE1588 packet processing including 1-step operation
- Stable TCXO oscillator (better than 1 ppm) to improve stability & accuracy
- Optionally high precision, high-stability OCXO oscillator (better than 0.1 ppm) to further improve long-term stability and accuracy
- Driver software for Windows/Linux/FreeBSD
- syn1588® PTP stack run-time license included (for Windows/Linux/FreeBSD)

syn1588® NIC Box
The syn1588® NIC box from Oregano Systems simplifies using PTP, enabling you to run a full featured IEEE1588 node without any hardware or software installation.
The syn1588 NIC box provides a reliable accurate PTP node as a complete solution. A Linux based PC in a 19” 1HE case holding the patented syn1588® PCIe NIC. All required software is pre-installed and pre-configured so that the NIC box can simply be powered and connected to your network.
The front panel display of the syn1588® NIC box informs you about the basic parameters and status of your PTP node, negating the need to connect a monitor or remotely log into the unit.
The syn1588® NIC box is a highly versatile, high performance PTP node capable of delivering a variety of precise timing signals. Aside from a standard 1 pulse per second, two arbitrary frequencies as well as an IRIG-B signal can be generated. It is designed to receive or transmit timing information over an Ethernet network using the Precision Time Protocol (PTP) defined in IEEE 1588-2008.
- Fully encapsulated PTP solution
- No installation nor configuration required to initially setup a PTP node
- GUI based PTP software
- Clock synchronisation accuracy better than 10 ns
- Timestamping of:
- user defined Ethernet packets
- external (hardware) events
- Optional interrupt on timestamp event
- Generation of:
- programmable frequency
- 1 PPS
- pseudo GPS data stream
- IRIG-B
- High-precision, high-stability oscillator option available (OCXO)
- Linux operating system
Application: PTP node out of the box
If you require a PTP node but do not want to install hardware, software, drivers: The syn1588® NIC Box is a easy to use pre-configured PTP node. The 19″ rack mount case allows easy integration into your server environment.
Application: SMPTE video sync box
If you need a SMPTE ST2059-1/2 compatible node including generation of video sync signals: The syn1588® NIC Box is a simple to use pre-configured PTP solution ideally suited for SMPTE time transfer applications. Oregano Systems proven syn1588® technology is driving the standard for these applications.
- 1 HE 19″ rack mount case
- 10/100/1000 MBit/s Ethernet network interface
- Two user programmable input/output signals on SMA connectors on PCI bracket (trigger, 1 PPS, period, event)
- Generation of user defined periodical signals (frequencies)
- Generation of user defined a-periodical signals (single events)
- Generation of 1PPS signal and IRIG-B data stream
- Timestamping of dense external hardware events
- Jitter cleaner PLL for generation of accurate, high-speed clock signals (up to 156 MHz)
- Optionally external clock input that drives the syn1588®
- User programmable time stamper for Ethernet packets
- Oregano Systems’ patented 1-step timestamping
- VLAN and IPv6 support for IEEE1588 packet processing including 1-step operation
- Stable TCXO oscillator (better than 1 ppm) to improve stability & accuracy
- Optionally high precision, high-stability OCXO oscillator (better than 0.1 ppm) to further improve long-term stability and accuracy
- Simple easy-to-use GUI based PTP software
For technical advice and sales of PTP compatible switches, NICs and software from Oregano Systems contact our team on: