Investigation in automatic determination of time synchronization accuracy of PTP networks with the objective of Plug-and-Work

Today´s information technology applies Plug-and-Play / Plug-and-Work mechanisms allowing automatic configuration of network components or computer peripheries (USB or IP address assignment by DHCP). PTP also defines Plug-and-Work mechanisms, such as Grand Master selection with the BMCA. For realization of PTP based applications, like motion control or phasor measurements in energy grids (PMU) with high accuracy demands, determination of the synchronization accuracy is a basic requirement. Today, synchronization accuracy often is determined using measurement equipment like scopes or system modelling and simulation approaches. But these approaches require manual tasks and on this reason they are not capable for Plug-and-Work. Other approaches are device qualification and defined system limitations or the calculation of worst cases inaccuracies by the protocol itself. This paper gives an overview of synchronization accuracy determination methods and evaluates advantages and disadvantages using a case study. Further on more adaptable approaches are introduced, with the goal to achieve a more precise inaccuracy calculation in Plug-and-Work scenarios. This automatic synchronization performance adaptability can help to increase system performance and robustness.