Precision Timing

ATOP Industrial Precision Timing

One precise time base for your entire mission-critical network.

From trusted time generation to accurate network-wide distribution, ATOP combines PTP grandmaster clocks, NTP servers, boundary clocks, transparent clocks, resilient networking, and GNSS accessories into a complete industrial timing architecture.

Explore the Architecture Discuss Your Timing Project
  • IEEE 1588 PTP
  • NTP
  • IEC 61850 Power Profiles
  • Boundary & Transparent Clocks
  • PRP / HSR-ready
Advanced SyncPro Industrial timing
<40
Nanosecond-class PTP accuracy <40 ns on applicable NTS86X0 Advanced SyncPro models
4×
Multi-constellation GNSS Resilient reference acquisition and holdover options
24/7
Designed for continuous service Redundant power, devices, links, and network paths by model
PTP NTP SyncE IRIG-B 1PPS 10 MHz

Complete Timing Architecture

Build timing as a system—not as an isolated product.

Each layer has a distinct role. ATOP products can be combined to create a timing architecture that matches the required accuracy, scale, environmental conditions, interfaces, and redundancy strategy.

Layer 1

Time Reference

Acquire a reliable reference with multi-constellation GNSS, antenna monitoring, threat detection, and holdover options.

ATOP advantageResilient GNSS reference options
Layer 2

Time Generation

Establish the primary PTP, NTP, and SyncE source while supporting conventional timing interfaces where required.

ATOP advantageAdvanced SyncPro grandmasters
Layer 3

Time Distribution

Preserve accuracy through backbone, aggregation, and access layers with hardware-assisted timestamping.

ATOP advantageBoundary and transparent clock portfolio
Layer 4

Network Resilience

Keep timing available through device, power, link, and topology failures.

ATOP advantageDual power, PRP/HSR, RedBox, and QuadBox options
Layer 5

Timed Applications

Deliver one consistent time base to IEDs, relays, PLCs, robots, cameras, servers, and telecom equipment.

ATOP advantageModern network timing plus legacy signal integration
Network-based synchronization Distribute time through IEEE 1588 PTP, NTP, and SyncE according to the precision and profile requirements of each application.
Legacy timing integration Connect existing devices through selectable timing signals such as IRIG-B and 1PPS, with signal and cable-delay considerations handled at the architecture level.
<40 nsPTP accuracy
<50 μsNTP accuracy
−40 to 85°COperating range
IEC 61850-3Power-grade options

Performance and certification vary by model. Refer to the applicable product datasheet and certificate.

Industry Applications

Precision timing for systems where sequence, coordination, and availability matter.

Explore representative use cases and architecture priorities. Final product selection should be based on protocol, accuracy, interface, topology, and certification requirements.

Power Utility

Coordinate protection, monitoring, and event records across the substation.

A power timing architecture must deliver precision while remaining available under electrical noise, wide temperature ranges, network faults, and legacy-device constraints.

  • Substation master synchronization
  • Event and fault recording
  • IEC 61850 Process Bus and PMU applications
Discuss a Power Timing Project
Primary GMCNTS8610 Series
Backup GMCBMCA / redundancy
 
PRP / HSR Timing NetworkBoundary and transparent clocks
 
Station / Bay DevicesIEDs and protection relays
Process DevicesMerging units and legacy timing

Product Portfolio

Explore timing products by their role in the architecture.

Start with the function you need—time generation, network distribution, delay compensation, or resilience—then refine the selection by performance, interfaces, form factor, and industry requirements.

Time Generation

PTP Grandmaster Clocks & NTP Servers

ATOP NTS8610 industrial PTP grandmaster clock and NTP server

Establish the primary reference for high-precision PTP devices and conventional NTP clients, with GNSS resilience, holdover, redundancy, and selectable timing I/O.

Representative series: NTS8600, NTS8610, NTS8610M

Explore Grandmaster Clocks →
Time Distribution

PTP Boundary Clock Switches

ATOP RHG9728 industrial PTP boundary clock switch

Receive time from an upstream master and regenerate it for downstream domains, helping scale large networks and control timing performance through multiple layers.

Rack-mount and DIN-rail options for backbone, aggregation, and access layers

Explore Boundary Clocks →
Delay Compensation

PTP Transparent Clock Switches

ATOP EH9711 industrial PTP transparent clock switch

Measure and compensate for message residence time as PTP traffic passes through the switch, reducing the timing impact of packet forwarding and queueing.

Hardware-assisted PTP options for demanding industrial networks

Explore Transparent Clocks →
Resilience & Integration

Redundancy Products & Timing Accessories

ATOP RGB7008 industrial PRP HSR RedBox and QuadBox

Complete the architecture with PRP/HSR integration, GNSS antennas, surge protection, RF amplification, and accessories for reliable field deployment.

RGB700X redundancy products, GNSS antennas, protection, and installation accessories

View the Complete Timing Portfolio →

Timing standards for industrial networks.

1588IEEE 1588v2Precision Time Protocol
NTPNTPv2–v4Network time service
61850IEC/IEEE 61850-9-3Power utility profile
C37IEEE C37.238Power system profile
ASIEEE 802.1ASTSN time synchronization
G.8275ITU-T ProfilesTelecom phase/time

Protocol, profile, and certification support varies by product model and configuration.

Resources

Learn, design, verify, and select.

Support different stages of the buying journey with educational content, architecture guides, test evidence, and product-selection tools.

Selection Guide

Grandmaster Selection Guide

Compare deployment priorities, timing interfaces, power availability, and recommended NTS86X0 configurations.

Open PDF →
White Paper

PTP Best Practices for Industrial Networking

Understand the role of grandmaster, boundary, and transparent clocks in reducing timing error across the network.

Read White Paper →
Product Portfolio

All Time Synchronization Products

Browse current grandmaster, boundary clock, transparent clock, and related timing products.

Browse Products →
Engineering Support

Architecture Review

Share the timing profile, accuracy target, topology, interfaces, and redundancy requirements for a project-level recommendation.

Contact ATOP →

FAQ

Industrial timing fundamentals.

Answers to common questions about PTP, NTP, grandmaster clocks, network clock roles, holdover, and redundancy.

NTP is widely used to synchronize servers and general network devices, typically where microsecond-to-millisecond-level performance is acceptable. IEEE 1588 PTP is designed for substantially higher precision and uses timestamping plus delay measurement to synchronize devices in industrial, telecom, power, and other time-sensitive networks.
A grandmaster is the highest-quality active clock in a PTP domain. It receives time from a source such as GNSS or an upstream reference and distributes that time to clocks throughout the network.
A boundary clock synchronizes to an upstream master and then acts as a new master for downstream devices. A transparent clock forwards PTP messages while measuring and correcting for the residence time introduced by the switch. The right choice depends on network scale, topology, profile, and timing-error budget.
A properly designed grandmaster enters holdover and relies on its local oscillator to maintain time for a defined period. The system should also issue alarms and use device or alternate-source redundancy when continuous timing service is critical.
NTS8600 is the compact option for projects that prioritize installation flexibility and cost efficiency. NTS8610 is the 1U high-availability platform with hot-swappable power options, local display, and broader configuration choices. Final selection also depends on timing I/O and GNSS requirements.
Selected NTS86X0 configurations provide conventional timing interfaces such as IRIG-B and 1PPS. Availability, signal type, channel count, and input/output direction depend on the selected model and synchronization module.
Redundancy should be considered across the time source, grandmaster devices, power supplies, Ethernet links, and network topology. The appropriate combination may include BMCA-based primary and backup grandmasters, PRP or HSR, device clustering, bonding, and redundant boundary or transparent clock paths.

Need help reviewing your timing architecture?

Share your target accuracy, timing profile, topology, interfaces, and redundancy requirements with the ATOP team.

Contact ATOP