IEEE 1588 / PTP

Precision Time Protocol Overview:

Synchronizing devices over a standard Ethernet connection involved the Network Time Protocol (NTP) for a long time. In 2002 the first version of a new protocol standard called „Precision Time Protocol“ (PTP) was defined as IEEE 1588 - 2002.

This new protocol allows to achieve a much higher accuracy between a master and a slave by introducing hardware timestamping on both ends and on the involved active network infrastructure components (like switches).

In 2008 the second version of this protocol has been defined in IEEE 1588 - 2008, adding new protcol features and improving overall handling and management.